Western Ganga Dynasty

Western Ganga dynasty
ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಗಂಗ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ
Kingdom (Subordinate to Pallava until 350)
350–1000
Core Western Ganga Territory
Capital		Kolar Talakad
Languages		Kannada Sanskrit
Religion		Jainism Hinduism
Government		Monarchy
Maharaja
•	350–370	Konganivarma Madhava
•	986–999	Rachamalla V
History
•	Earliest Ganga records	400
•	Established	350
•	Disestablished	1000
Preceded by Succeeded by Pallava dynasty Chola dynasty
Today part of		India

Western Ganga was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka in India which lasted from about 350 to 1000 CE. They are known as 'Western Gangas' to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over Kalinga (modern Odisha). The general belief is that the Western Gangas began their rule during a time when multiple native clans asserted their freedom due to the weakening of the Pallava empire in South India, a geo-political event sometimes attributed to the southern conquests of Samudra Gupta. The Western Ganga sovereignty lasted from about 350 to 550 CE, initially ruling from Kolar and later, moving their capital to Talakadu on the banks of the Kaveri River in modern Mysore district.

After the rise of the imperial Chalukyas of Badami, the Gangas accepted Chalukya overlordship and fought for the cause of their overlords against the Pallavas of Kanchi. The Chalukyas were replaced by the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta in 753 CE as the dominant power in the Deccan. After a century of struggle for autonomy, the Western Gangas finally accepted Rashtrakuta overlordship and successfully fought alongside them against their foes, the Chola Dynasty of Tanjavur. In the late 10th century, north of Tungabhadra river, the Rashtrakutas were replaced by the emerging Western Chalukya Empire and the Chola Dynasty saw renewed power south of the Kaveri river. The defeat of the Western Gangas by Cholas around 1000 resulted in the end of the Ganga influence over the region.