Southern Kingdoms of India

Cheras

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Controlled the important trade routes between the Deccan and the Malabar Coast.

Kings

• Senguttuvan (c. 2nd century BCE): Known for his patronage of Tamil literature and the epic Silappatikaram.
• Kulasekara Pandyan (c. 12th century CE): Reigned during the decline of the Pandya Kingdom and was a contemporary of the Cholas.
• Rajasekara Chera (c. 13th century CE): Last significant Chera ruler, defeated by the Pandya king Maravarman Sundara Pandya II.

Legacy

• Prominent in early Tamil literature and Sangam period.
• Known for their maritime trade and cultural contributions.
• Declined due to invasions by the Cholas and Pandyas.

Cholas

Territory

• Ruled over the Tamil Nadu region and parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• Controlled the Bay of Bengal trade routes.

Kings

• Vijaylaya (c. 3rd century BCE): First known Chola king, established the Chola kingdom.
• Elara (c. 2nd century BCE): Expanded the Chola territory and is known for the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram.
• Parantaka I (c. 8th century CE): Expanded the Chola empire and defeated the Pallavas.
• Rajaraja I (c. 10th century CE): Known as “Rajaraja the Great,” expanded the empire to Southeast Asia.
• Rajendra Chola I (c. 11th century CE): Extended the Chola empire to the Ganges and Southeast Asia, including the conquest of Srivijaya.

Legacy

• Dominant maritime power in South India.
• Promoted temple construction and art.
• Influenced Southeast Asian kingdoms through cultural and religious exchanges.

Pandyas

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala and Karnataka.
• Controlled the southern coast and trade with the Roman Empire.

Kings

• Simmadu Pandya (c. 2nd century BCE): Established the Pandya kingdom and is known for the Pattinappalai.
• Kulasekara Pandya (c. 12th century CE): Reigned during the decline of the Pandya kingdom and was a contemporary of the Cholas.
• Maravarman Sundara Pandya II (c. 13th century CE): Last significant Pandya ruler, defeated by the Cheras and Hoysalas.

Legacy

• Prominent in early Tamil literature and Sangam period.
• Known for their naval power and trade with foreign lands.
• Declined due to invasions by the Cholas and Cheras.

Chalukyas

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
• Controlled the Deccan region and the Malabar Coast.

Kings

• Pulakeshin I (c. 5th century CE): Established the Chalukya dynasty and is known for the Aihole Inscription.
• Pulakeshin II (c. 7th century CE): Expanded the Chalukya empire and defeated the Pallavas.
• Kirtivarman II (c. 8th century CE): Known for his military campaigns and the Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram.

Legacy

• Prominent in the development of Dravidian architecture.
• Influenced the later Chola and Hoysala dynasties.
• Known for their patronage of art and literature.

Hoysalas

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
• Controlled the Tungabhadra River region and the coastal areas.

Kings

• Nirpa Kama II (c. 12th century CE): Established the Hoysala dynasty and is known for the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu.
• Narasimha III (c. 13th century CE): Expanded the Hoysala empire and defeated the Khilji dynasty.

Legacy

• Prominent in the development of Hoysala architecture.
• Known for their temple construction and art.
• Declined due to invasions by the Delhi Sultanate and Vijayanagar Empire.

Vijayanagar Empire

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Maharashtra and Kerala.
• Controlled the Deccan Plateau and the coastal regions.

Kings

• Harihara I (c. 1336–1340 CE): Established the Vijayanagar Empire and is known for the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.
• Bukka Raya I (c. 1340–1356 CE): Consolidated the empire and defeated the Delhi Sultanate.
• Deva Raya II (c. 1404–1422 CE): Known for his military campaigns and cultural patronage.
• Krishnadevaraya (c. 1509–1529 CE): Known as “Krishnadevaraya the Great,” expanded the empire and is known for the Virupapura Temple at Hampi.

Economy

• Thriving agricultural and trade economy.
• Extensive use of irrigation and land revenue systems.
• Strong maritime trade with Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

Society

• Multi-religious and multi-lingual society.
• Prominent merchant and artisan classes.
• Women had a degree of autonomy and participation in public life.

Religious Structure

• Promoted Hinduism, especially Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
• Supported temple construction and religious festivals.
• Tolerant of other religions, including Jainism and Buddhism.

Bahamani Empire

Territory

• Ruled over the present-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Controlled the Deccan region and the coastal areas.

Kings

• Alauddin Bahamani (c. 1347–1358 CE): Expanded the empire and defeated the Vijayanagar Empire.
• Muhammad Shah I (c. 1358–1377 CE): Known for his military campaigns and administrative reforms.

Legacy

• Prominent in the development of Deccan architecture.
• Known for their military strength and administrative reforms.
• Declined due to internal conflicts and invasions by the Vijayanagar Empire.