Kannada People - Early Settlements

Early Settlements

Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent at least from 2nd millennium BC as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site near Chitradurga district, central Karnataka. Chandravalli exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travelers around 2nd and 3rd century BC.

Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language. The language was once popular from Kaveri to Godavari as mentioned in Kavirajamarga of 850 CE. Archaeological evidences prove Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh (Inscription of Krishna III) and Bihar. The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to various kingdoms of northern India whose originators were from Kannada country.

The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings were:

  • Western Ganga Dynasty - Talakadu - Durvinita
  • Kadamba Dynasty - Banavasi - Mayurasharma
  • Badami Chalukya - Badami - Pulakesi II
  • Rashtrakuta - Manyakheta - Amoghavarsha I
  • Hoysala - Belur and Halebidu - Veera Ballala II
  • Kalyani Chalukya - Basavakalyana - Vikramaditya VI
  • Southern Kalachuri - Kalyani - Bijjala II
  • Vijayanagara - Hampi - Hakka, Bukka
  • Keladi Nayaka - Ikkeri - Shivappa Nayaka
  • Kingdom of Mysore - Mysooru - Nalvadi Krishnaraja Odeyar
  • Alupas of Canara - Udupi - Aluvarasa II

Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were, Chutus of Banavasi (feudatory to Satavahana Empire), Tuluva Dynasty of Canara, Rattas of Saundatti (Belgaum), Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region), Banas of Kolar, Nolambas of Nolambavadi, Vaidumbas, Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu, Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga), Kadambas of Hangal.

In addition, other well known kingdoms that patronized Kannadiga poets and Kannada language were:

  • Eastern Chalukyas
  • Kakatiya dynasty
  • Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri
  • Shilahara
  • Kadambas of Goa

Read more about this topic:  Kannada People

Famous quotes containing the words early and/or settlements:

    Quintilian [educational writer in Rome around A.D. 100] thought that the earliest years of the child’s life were crucial. Education should start earlier than age seven, within the family. It should not be so hard as to give the child an aversion to learning. Rather, these early lessons would take the form of play—that embryonic notion of kindergarten.
    C. John Sommerville (20th century)

    That those tribes [the Sac and Fox Indians] cannot exist surrounded by our settlements and in continual contact with our citizens is certain. They have neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral habits, nor the desire of improvement which are essential to any favorable change in their condition.
    Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)