Hoysala Kingdom
Hoysala kingdom | |||||||||
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| 950–1346 | |||||||||
Greatest extent of the Hoysala kingdom, c.1050- c.1355 | |||||||||
| Capital |
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| Common languages | Kannada Sanskrit | ||||||||
| Religion | Jainism Hinduism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
• 950-960 | Arekalla | ||||||||
• 1343–1346 | Veera Ballala IV | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 950 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1346 | ||||||||
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| Part of a series on the |
| History of Karnataka |
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The Hoysala Kingdom was a prominent South Indian dynasty that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, as well as parts of Tamil Nadu and southwestern Telangana, between the 11th and 14th centuries CE.[1] The capital was initially located at Belur and was later moved to Halebidu.[2]
The origins of the Hoysala dynasty are traced to the Malnad region of Karnataka. Initially, the Hoysalas served as feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana. The dynasty gained prominence under King Vishnuvardhana particularly after the defeat of the Cholas in the Battle of Talakad, which consolidated Hoysala authority in the Deccan.[3] Taking advantage of the conflict between the Western Chalukyas and the Kalachuris of Kalyani in the 12th century, the Hoysalas expanded their domain, eventually controlling large parts of Karnataka, and parts of northwestern Tamil Nadu and western Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).[4]
The Hoysala period was a significant era for the development of South Indian art, architecture, and literature. Over 100 temples from this period survive, showcasing intricate Hoysala architecture.[5] Well-known temples which exhibit what the historian Sailendra Sen has called "an amazing display of sculptural exuberance" include the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and the Chennakesava Temple in Somanathapura.[6] These three temples were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2023.[7] The Hoysala rulers also patronised the fine arts encouraging the literature to flourish in Kannada and Sanskrit with notable contributions made by Jain and Brahmin poets.[8]
- ^ Sastri (1955), pp. 220–221.
- ^ Foekema (1996), p. 19.
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 101–102.
- ^ Sastri (1955), pp. 222–223.
- ^ Foekema (1996), p. 22.
- ^ Sen 2013, pp. 58–60.
- ^ UNESCO World Heritage Convention. "Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas". UNESCO. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992-2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 100–104.