Chitradurga Nayaka Kingdom | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1588–1779 | |||||||||
 Map Showing territories of Nayakas of Chitradurga Kingdom | |||||||||
| Status | Kingdom | ||||||||
| Capital | Chitradurga | ||||||||
| Official languages | Kannada | ||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Historical era | Early modern | ||||||||
• Established | 1588 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1779 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of | India | ||||||||
Nayakas of Chitradurga (1588–1779) were an Indian dynasty that ruled parts of easternKarnataka during the post-Vijayanagara period, centered atChitradurga. During the rule of theHoysala Empire and theVijayanagara Empire, they served as a feudatory chiefdom. Later, after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, they ruled at times as an independent chiefdom and at other times as a vassal of theMysore Kingdom,Mughal Empire andMaratha Empire. Their territories merged into theKingdom of Mysore under British rule.
According to historian Barry Lewis, the earliest chieftains of the kingdom were local chiefs (Dandanayakas) of theBedar caste[1] under theHoysala empire, during their rule over what is today Karnataka. They later won the attention and appreciation of theVijayanagar kings through their acts of bravery and were appointed as governors of the region.[2] According to historianSuryanath Kamath, the Chitradurga chiefs under the Vijayanagara empire were originally from theDavangere district in Karnataka.[3] Some Marathi records call themKala Pyada in admiration for their fighting qualities.
TheChitradurga Fort was their stronghold and the very heart of the province.[4]
The Nayakas played a crucial role in the administration and military structure of theVijayanagara Empire. The first of many figures was Timmanna Nayaka of Matti (also known as Thimmappa), who served underSaluva Narasimha. He governed regions corresponding to the present-dayDavangere andChitradurga districts. His career ended around 1588, when he died while in the custody ofVijayanagara authorities.[5][6][7]
Timmanna’s son, Obanna Nayaka (also known asMadakari Nayaka I), ruled from 1588 to 1602.[5][6][7] Upon his death, his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka I ascended the throne. Between 1602 and 1652, Kasturi Rangappa expanded the principality by capturing territories likeMayakonda,Santebennur,Holalkere, Anaji, andJagalur from neighboring chiefs, largely in conflict with thesultanate of Bijapur. By the end of his reign,Chitradurga had grown wealthy, yielding approximately 65,000 Durgi pagodas in revenue.[7]
His son, Madakari Nayaka II (1652–1674), continued this military tradition, consolidating power east ofChitradurga and achieving a notable victory in 1671 over Shah Adib Allah near the fort.[2][5][7] However, the subsequent brief reigns of Obanna Nayaka II (1674–1675) and Shoora Kantha Nayaka (1675–1676) were marked by instability and internal violence; as both rulers were assassinated by their own chiefs. They were succeeded by Chikkanna Nayaka (1676–1686), Madakari Nayaka III (1686–1688), and Donne Rangappa Nayaka (1688–1689).[5][7]
From 1689 to 1721, Bharamappa Nayaka ofBilichodu rose to prominence. He earned renown as a formidable warrior, allying with theMarathas in theBattle of Dodderi (1695), resistingMughal incursions, and commissioning several temples and irrigation works; including Ranganatha Swamy at Niratadi. His contributions earned him theepithet Bichchugatti Bahramanna Nayaka, marking him as one of the most accomplished Nayaka rulers.[5][7] His successor, Madakari Nayaka IV (1721–1748), continuedMaratha affiliations but ultimately fell in conflict with rival Nayaka chiefs of Davangere.[2][5][7] Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II (1748–1754), a Maratha-supported ruler, briefly restored territories such asMayakonda andBudihal with strategic support from Maratha Sardar Murari Rao and the Subedar of Sira. He died without an heir in 1754.[7]
The final sovereign was Madakari Nayaka V (1758–1779), son of Bharamappa Nayaka of Janakallidurga. Ascending the throne as a minor, he matured into a skilled administrator and valiant warrior. His political acumen lay in switching allegiances betweenHyder Ali’sMysore and theMarathas as circumstances dictated. During his reign,Chitradurga Fort endured a prolonged siege by Hyder Ali; on three separate occasions in 1760, 1770, and finally in 1779. Amid the 1779 conflict, local folklore creditsOnake Obavva, the wife of a fort guard, with repelling enemy soldiers by using a pestle at a secret tunnel entry; an act celebrated inKannada legend.[6][7]
Sharp political manoeuvring could not prevent Madakari’s downfall. Hyder Ali captured and imprisoned him inSrirangapatna, where he died in captivity in 1779.[2][7][8] The victory also cost Chitradurga dearly: thousands of followers were reportedly taken prisoner and forcibly conscripted . Thus, the Nayaka lineage, which had held sway for over two centuries, effectively ended with Madakari’s defeat and death.[7][8]
