Origin of The Western Ganga Dynasty

Origin Of The Western Ganga Dynasty

The Western Ganga Dynasty ruled large parts of southern Karnataka from the fourth century CE till the late tenth century CE with their regal capital initially at Kolar and later at Talakad in Mysore district, Karnataka. The origin of the Ganga clan prior to the fourth century is shrouded in legends and myths. Clarity into their history comes from such contemporaneous writings as Chavundaraya Purana in Kannada and Lokhavibhaga in Prakrit and from numerous inscriptions excavated in the Mysore, Bangalore and Kolar districts (southern region of modern Karnataka) and Anantapur district (of modern Andhra Pradesh). The Western Gangas played a pivotal role in the development of polity, culture and literature during their long rule in the region, at times as independent monarchs and at other times as subordinates of their larger neighbours, the Badami Chalukyas and later the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta. Their patronage to literature in Kannada and Sanskrit, achievements in architecture including the famous monolith of Gomateshwara, their Hindu temples scattered around the districts of south Karnataka and Jain Basadi's of Shravanabelagola and Kambadahalli are testimony to the rich contribution they made to the region.