Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

For the purpose of administrative convenience, the kingdom was divided into Rashtra (Mandala), Vishaya, Nadu and Grama. 

1. The early Kalachuris of the south were Jains and encouraged Jainism in their kingdom. 
2. The first notable chief of the Kalachuri family of Karnataka was Uchita. 
3. While there were several kings who followed him ruling as feudatories of the Kalyani Chalukyas, it was Jogama who became an influential vassal of Vikramaditya VI, being related to the great Chalukya king by matrimony.

Basaveshwara was a saint. He preached in three forms: soft advice, harsh criticism, strict warning. He taught that surrendering oneself to Shiva with total devotion was the only path to salvation. He declared that work is worship. He established Anubhava Mantapa in 1162 C.E. He wrote his vachanas in simple Kannada that resembled the spoken language of the common people.

After the decline of the Chalukyas and Cholas, the Yadavas, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, and Pandyas emerged as the dominant powers in South India.

The Rashtrakutas succeeded the Chalukyas of Badami in Western India during the 8th century.

The Kadamba is the first dynasty to be established in Karnataka. Their capital was Banavasi which is in today’s North canara district. Mayurasharma was the  founder and a great king of this dynasty. 

 When Mayura Sharma was insulted by the Pallava king, Shivaskanda Varma, he adopted the Kshatriya way of life and became Mayuravarma. He defeated the Pallavas in a war and established the Kadamba Empire. He is the pride of all Kannadigas. 

The Halmidi inscription, the earliest known epigraph that showed the early usage of Kannada script belongs to Kakusthavarma who ruled between the years 435 CE to 455 CE. The stone inscription found at Halmidi has been assigned to 450 CE. 

Talagunda inscription of Kadamba dynasty belongs to Santivarma. This is one of the earliest inscriptions. This inscription gives major information about the Kadamba dynasty especially about its founders.

Kadamba dynasty was an ancient Brahmin dynasty of Karnataka. The dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma in 345 CE. This rule lasted till 525 CE. Its fame reached to maximum during the reign of Kakusthavarma.

 Kannada was the language of the people. The ancient Halmidi inscription shows the characteristics of the Kannada language which was in use in the 5th century. This has been the first inscription available in Kannada.

The Kadamba made special contributions to Karnataka and Indian culture. There was political unity for around three hundred years under the Kadamba rule. Royal priests, ministers, and military generals played a significant role in the administration. For administrative ease, provincial officers had been appointed to look after the provinces.
Land revenue was the main source of income in the kingdom. The occupations such as carpentry, goldsmithy, blacksmithy, weaving, oil-extraction, pottery were the main ones in the society. There was greater encouragement for agriculture and trade. Most of the people followed varnashrama. Greater importance was given to patriarchy and undivided family.

The Satavahans were mostly ruled in Andhra. They ruled over the Andhradesa including Deccan for about 400 years from the 2nd century B.C to beyond the 2nd century A.D. Satavahanas were also called Salivahanas and Satakarnis. In the 3rd century B.C , Simukha , the founder of the Satavahana dynasty , unified the various Andhra principalities into one kingdom and became its ruler.