The "Gramapaddhatti" of Tulu Brahmins, which is a compilation of legends, says that Tuluva and Haiga were created by by Parashurama by reclaiming from the sea, as much land he could, by throwing his axe from the top of the Western Ghats. Probably Parashurama (which means ‘Rama with axe’) was the leader of the early colonizers of the west coast region who wielded the axe to clear the dense
forests for making the area fit for human habitation.
The Alupa rulers were of local origin and were subordinate to the Kadamba’s of Banavasi according to the lithic records discovered near Banavasi. A king named Buthala Pandya is special in the history of South Kanara as he introduced the system of Aliya Sanatana Kattu (the system of inheritance through female line). The Alupa kings ruled over till the 14th century and Veera Pandya was perhaps the last Alupa king of this region.
During the period 1336 – 1346 A.D, the Vijayanagara kingdom was founded. Soon after the foundation of this kingdom, many parts of Karnataka were absorbed into the kingdom along with South Kanara. The earliest inscription of the Vijayanagara period dated 1345 A.D, is found at Attavara in Mangalore. Since then this region was firmly ruled under efficient rulers of Vijayanagara empire, which had capitals at Barkur (Presently Udupi district) and Mangalore. Presence of Seaway and Port facilities provided the rulers to import essentials like good horses from Arabia and other countries. During this time Vasco da Gama reached one of the islands near Udupi in 1498, and the place is known as St. Mary’s island presently. This also opened securing facilities by the Portuguese to spread Christianity and in a short span of time they became masters of most of the trades in this coast.
Abbakkadevi, queen of Ullal was a staunch opponent of Portuguese and put up a brave and persistent opposition against the Portuguese. The fiery queen was determined to end the authority of Portuguese in the Kanara region. However in 1568 A.D, the Portuguese seized a complete victory over the queen and was forced to negotiate a final peace treaty.
During the later years of Vijayanagara power, on the borders of the Kanara above the ghtas, a Veerashiva agriculturist family of Keladi gradually established its rule over this region. However they continued to be the judicatories of Vijayanagara Empire until Venkatappa Nayaka 1 became the independent ruler of Tuluva in about 1613. During the reign of Shivappa Nayaka who was also a strong opponent to Portuguese occupation of Kanara trade, waged a series of battles during which the Portuguese were completely crippled. However during the period 1713-14 A.D, the Portuguese squadron from Goa captured forts and bombarded several towns in the coastal belt and spread terror in the area. It also known that during successive years the Dutch also established a factory at Basrur and trading used to take place from that place to Muscat by exporting Rice and importing Horses, dates and pearls.
Apart from the powerful reign of Alupa and Vijayanagara Empire, there were some smaller local rulers who played their own roles in the history of South Kanara. The most powerful among them were Bhairarasas of Karkala. Other local chiefs are known as Chautas, Bangas, Savantas, Ajilas, Tolaharas, and Heggades of Vittala etc. The Bhairarasas had their capital in Karkala taluk and it was during this reign the famous monolithic statue of Gommatta was erected in Karkala by Veerapandyadeva.
Gradually Portuguese power began to decline after the middle of the 17th century. They lost most of their strongholds and forts to Kanara chiefs and also they had to share their profits with Dutch and the French who by then had forts and factories near Mangalore. Also during this period the English made their presence felt in this region and obtained certain commercial advantages.
After the capture of Bidanur, Haidar Ali turned his attention towards the coastal belt and occupied Mangalore along with other coastal towns. The English closely watched this advance by Hyder Ali. They immediately realized that Mangalore with its well-fortified area and naval bases could be well used by Hyder to intercept English. Therefore the English waged a war in 1768 A.D under Admiral Watson who succeeded in capturing the city without much difficulty.
In 1768, Hyder reorganized his army and took Mangalore from the English. Thus at the end of the first Mysore War, Hyder Ali was the complete master of the South Kanara region. In 1781, the Second Mysore war started during which Hyder Ali died in a camp near chittur and was succeeded by Tipu Sultan. The English suffered a huge setback during his rule and it was during this period Sultan Battery, which was used as a watchtower to help prevent the entrance of English Warships into the Gurupur River, was been built by Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan also built another fort known as Jamalabad hill fort in 1794 in honor of his mother Jamala Bi in Belthangady Taluk. The last war of Mysore that broke out in 1799 A.D saw an end to the reign of Tipu Sultan and local chieftains returned to regain their territories and activities.
forests for making the area fit for human habitation.
The Alupa rulers were of local origin and were subordinate to the Kadamba’s of Banavasi according to the lithic records discovered near Banavasi. A king named Buthala Pandya is special in the history of South Kanara as he introduced the system of Aliya Sanatana Kattu (the system of inheritance through female line). The Alupa kings ruled over till the 14th century and Veera Pandya was perhaps the last Alupa king of this region.
During the period 1336 – 1346 A.D, the Vijayanagara kingdom was founded. Soon after the foundation of this kingdom, many parts of Karnataka were absorbed into the kingdom along with South Kanara. The earliest inscription of the Vijayanagara period dated 1345 A.D, is found at Attavara in Mangalore. Since then this region was firmly ruled under efficient rulers of Vijayanagara empire, which had capitals at Barkur (Presently Udupi district) and Mangalore. Presence of Seaway and Port facilities provided the rulers to import essentials like good horses from Arabia and other countries. During this time Vasco da Gama reached one of the islands near Udupi in 1498, and the place is known as St. Mary’s island presently. This also opened securing facilities by the Portuguese to spread Christianity and in a short span of time they became masters of most of the trades in this coast.
Abbakkadevi, queen of Ullal was a staunch opponent of Portuguese and put up a brave and persistent opposition against the Portuguese. The fiery queen was determined to end the authority of Portuguese in the Kanara region. However in 1568 A.D, the Portuguese seized a complete victory over the queen and was forced to negotiate a final peace treaty.
During the later years of Vijayanagara power, on the borders of the Kanara above the ghtas, a Veerashiva agriculturist family of Keladi gradually established its rule over this region. However they continued to be the judicatories of Vijayanagara Empire until Venkatappa Nayaka 1 became the independent ruler of Tuluva in about 1613. During the reign of Shivappa Nayaka who was also a strong opponent to Portuguese occupation of Kanara trade, waged a series of battles during which the Portuguese were completely crippled. However during the period 1713-14 A.D, the Portuguese squadron from Goa captured forts and bombarded several towns in the coastal belt and spread terror in the area. It also known that during successive years the Dutch also established a factory at Basrur and trading used to take place from that place to Muscat by exporting Rice and importing Horses, dates and pearls.
Apart from the powerful reign of Alupa and Vijayanagara Empire, there were some smaller local rulers who played their own roles in the history of South Kanara. The most powerful among them were Bhairarasas of Karkala. Other local chiefs are known as Chautas, Bangas, Savantas, Ajilas, Tolaharas, and Heggades of Vittala etc. The Bhairarasas had their capital in Karkala taluk and it was during this reign the famous monolithic statue of Gommatta was erected in Karkala by Veerapandyadeva.
Gradually Portuguese power began to decline after the middle of the 17th century. They lost most of their strongholds and forts to Kanara chiefs and also they had to share their profits with Dutch and the French who by then had forts and factories near Mangalore. Also during this period the English made their presence felt in this region and obtained certain commercial advantages.
After the capture of Bidanur, Haidar Ali turned his attention towards the coastal belt and occupied Mangalore along with other coastal towns. The English closely watched this advance by Hyder Ali. They immediately realized that Mangalore with its well-fortified area and naval bases could be well used by Hyder to intercept English. Therefore the English waged a war in 1768 A.D under Admiral Watson who succeeded in capturing the city without much difficulty.
In 1768, Hyder reorganized his army and took Mangalore from the English. Thus at the end of the first Mysore War, Hyder Ali was the complete master of the South Kanara region. In 1781, the Second Mysore war started during which Hyder Ali died in a camp near chittur and was succeeded by Tipu Sultan. The English suffered a huge setback during his rule and it was during this period Sultan Battery, which was used as a watchtower to help prevent the entrance of English Warships into the Gurupur River, was been built by Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan also built another fort known as Jamalabad hill fort in 1794 in honor of his mother Jamala Bi in Belthangady Taluk. The last war of Mysore that broke out in 1799 A.D saw an end to the reign of Tipu Sultan and local chieftains returned to regain their territories and activities.
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