Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 4 min read
1. Master chronology
| Dynasty | Period (approx.) | Capital | Remember for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadambas | 345–540 | Banavasi | Halmidi inscription; first Kannada dynasty |
| Western Gangas | 350–1000 | Kolar, Talakad | Bahubali statue (Chavundaraya) |
| Chalukyas of Badami | 543–753 | Vatapi (Badami) | Pulakeshin II; Aihole, Pattadakal |
| Rashtrakutas | 753–973 | Manyakheta (Malkhed) | Amoghavarsha I, Kavirajamarga, Kailasa temple |
| Chalukyas of Kalyani | 973–1189 | Kalyani (Basavakalyan) | Vikramaditya VI, Mitakshara |
| Kalachuris | 12th century | Kalyani | Bijjala II, Basavanna |
| Hoysalas | 1006–1346 | Belur, Dwarasamudra (Halebidu) | Vishnuvardhana, Belur–Halebidu temples |
| Vijayanagara | 1336–1646 | Hampi (Vijayanagara) | Krishnadevaraya; Talikota 1565 |
| Bahmani sultanate | 1347–1527 | Gulbarga, then Bidar | Mahmud Gawan's madrasa |
| Adil Shahis | 1490–1686 | Bijapur (Vijayapura) | Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza |
| Keladi (Ikkeri) Nayakas | 1499–1763 | Keladi, Ikkeri, Bidanur | Shivappa Nayaka's Shist; Keladi Chennamma |
| Wodeyars of Mysore | 1399–1947 (with breaks) | Mysore, Srirangapatna | Hyder Ali and Tipu in between |
2. The Vijayanagara empire (1336–1646)
- Founded in 1336 by the Sangama brothers Harihara I and Bukka I, traditionally with the blessing of the sage Vidyaranya of Sringeri.
- Capital Vijayanagara (Hampi) on the Tungabhadra — a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986).
Four dynasties
| Dynasty | Notable rulers |
|---|---|
| Sangama | Harihara I, Bukka I, Devaraya I, Devaraya II |
| Saluva | Saluva Narasimha |
| Tuluva | Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529), Achyutaraya, Sadashivaraya (with Aliya Ramaraya as regent) |
| Aravidu | Tirumala, Venkata II — moved to Penukonda and Chandragiri |
Krishnadevaraya
- Greatest Vijayanagara king; won Raichur (1520) from Bijapur and campaigned against the Gajapatis of Odisha.
- Wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu; his court had the Ashtadiggajas (eight Telugu poets, including Allasani Peddana).
- Visitors who described Vijayanagara: Domingo Paes, Fernao Nuniz (Portuguese), Abdur Razzaq (Persian), Nicolo de Conti (Italian).
The fall
- At the battle of Talikota (Rakkasa–Tangadi), 23 January 1565, the combined Deccan sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar) defeated Ramaraya; Hampi was sacked.
RememberHampi monuments
Virupaksha temple, Vittala temple (stone chariot and musical pillars), Hazara Rama temple, Lotus Mahal, Elephant stables, Queen's bath.