Hoysalas
Also called: Hoysala dynasty · Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "Turning Tides: The 11th and 12th Centuries"; Class 8, Ch 2 "Reshaping India's Political Map"; Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"
Meaning
The Hoysalas ruled southern Karnataka from c. 11th to 14th centuries. Their capitals were Velapura (Belur) and Dvarasamudra (Halebidu). They rose to power as the Western Chalukyas declined. They supported Kannada literature and built star-shaped, richly carved temples. Their region later became part of the Vijayanagara empire.
Example
King Vishnuvardhana broke free from Chalukya overlordship, challenged the Cholas, and built the Chennakeshava temple at Belur in 1117. Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura are the three Hoysala temples on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Legend says the name comes from the founder Sala, who struck a tiger when an ascetic told him "Poy, Sala" ("strike, Sala" in old Kannada).
Don't confuse with
- Kakatiyas: their Telugu-speaking neighbours, who ruled Telangana–Andhra from Warangal. The Hoysalas ruled southern Karnataka.
Related concepts
- Kakatiyas
- Rudramadevi
- Kakatiya Kala Thoranam
- Thousand Pillar temple
- Ramappa temple
- Vishnuvardhana
- Chennakeshava temple
- Hoysaleshwara temple, Halebidu
- Keshava temple, Somanathapura
- Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas