Karnatas
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 37,924,011 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India
|
37,924,011 |
| Languages | |
| Kannada | |
| Religion | |
Predominantly: HinduismMinorities: |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Dravidians · Tuluvas · Konkanis · Kodavas | |
The Kannada people (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು) known as the Kannadigas and Kannadigaru, (sometimes referred to in English as "Kannadians"), are the people who natively speak Kannada. Kannadigas are mainly found in the state of Karnataka in India. Kannada minorities are also found in the neighboring states Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa . The English plural is Kannadigas.
Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent at least from the 2nd millennium BC as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site near Chitradurga district, central Karnataka. Chandravalli exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travelers around the 2nd and 3rd century BC.
Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language. The language was once popular from Kaveri to Godavari as mentioned in the Kannada classic Kavirajamarga of 850 CE. Archaeological evidences show Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh (Inscription of Krishna III) and Bihar.The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to kingdoms of northern India whose originators were from Kannada country.
The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings were:
Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were Chutus of Banavasi (feudatory to Satavahana Empire),Tuluva Dynasty of Canara,Rattas of Saundatti (Belgaum), Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region),Banas of Kolar,Nolambas of Nolambavadi, Vaidumbas, Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu, Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga),Kadamba of Hangal.
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