Nayakas of Keladi

Keladi Nayaka Kingdom
ಕೆಳದಿ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ Keḷadi Samsthāna
Kingdom (Subordinate to Vijayanagara Empire until 1565). Independent Kingdom till 1763 A.D.
1499–1763
Shivappa Nayaka, the most prominent among Keladi Nayakas.
Capital		Keladi, Ikkeri, Bidanur
Languages		Kannada
Religion		Hinduism
Government		Monarchy
Raja
•	1499–1530	Chowdappa Nayaka
•	1757–1763	Queen Veerammaji
Historical era		Post-medieval
•	Established	1499
•	Disestablished	1763
Preceded by Succeeded by Vijayanagara Empire Kingdom of Mysore Haleri Kingdom
Today part of		India

Nayakas of Keladi, also known as Nayakas of Bednore and Kings of Ikkeri (1499–1763), were an Indian dynasty based from Keladi in Shimoga district, Karnataka, India. They were an important ruling dynasty in post-medieval Karnataka. They initially ruled as a vassal of the famous Vijayanagar Empire. After the fall of the empire in 1565, they gained independence and ruled significant parts of Malnad region of the Western Ghats in present-day Karnataka, most areas in the coastal regions of Karnataka, and parts of northern Kerala, Malabar and the central plains along the Tungabhadra river. In 1763 AD, with their defeat to Hyder Ali, they were absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore. They played an important part in the history of Karnataka, during a time of confusion and fragmentation that generally prevailed in South India after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Keladi rulers were Lingayats but they were tolerant towards followers of other faiths. The Haleri Kings of Kodagu who ruled over Coorg between 1600 A.D and 1834 A.D. were an offshoot of Keladi Nayaka dynasty.

Chaudappa Nayaka, originally Chauda Gowda, (1499–1530), was from a village called Pallibailu near Keladi. He was the son of Lingayat couple Basavappa and Basavamambe, who were into farming. He was the earliest chieftain to rule the area surrounding Shimoga, rose through self capability and acumen and was a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire.