Chaudappa Nayaka, originally
Chauda Gowda, (1499–1530), was from a village called
Pallibailu near
Keladi. He was the son of 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.
Sadashiva Nayaka (1530–1566) was an important chieftain in the Vijayanagar Empire and earned the title
Kotekolahala from emperor
Aliya Rama Raya for his heroics in the
battle of Kalyani. The coastal provinces of Karnataka came under his direct rule. He moved the capital to
Ikkeri some 20 km. from
Keladi.
Dodda Sankanna Nayaka (1566–1570), is most famous for his conflict with the
Sultanate of Bijapur. According to the
Sivatattva Ratnakara, he defeated the Bijapur general
Randaula Khan. His reign ended abruptly when he decided to abdicate the throne to lead a life of a religious mendicant (
Jangama) and went on a pilgrimage to holy sites across India. Their joint administration solidified the kingdom's borders in the
Uttara Kannada district, turning Keladi into the dominant power of the Kanara coast.
Virabhadra Nayaka (1629–1645) faced many troubles from the start, including competition from rival Jain chieftains of Malenad for the throne of Ikkeri and invasion by the Sultanate armies of Bijapur. Ikkeri was plundered by the Bijapur army during his time.
Shivappa Nayaka (1645–1660) is widely considered as the ablest and greatest of the Keladi rulers. He was the uncle of Virabhadra Nayaka. Shivappa deposed his nephew to gain the throne of Keladi. He was not only an able administrator; he also patronised literature and fine arts. His successful campaigns against the Bijapur sultans, the
Mysore kings, the Portuguese, and other Nayakas of the neighbouring territories east of the
Western Ghats helped expand the kingdom to its greatest extent, covering large areas of present-day Karnataka. He gave importance to agriculture and developed new schemes for collection of taxes and revenues which earned him much praise from later British officials. A statue of him and the palace built by him containing many artifacts of his times are reminders of the respect he has earned even from the present generation of people of the region. He destroyed the Portuguese political power in the
Kanara region by capturing all the Portuguese forts of the coastal region.
Chikka Venkatappa Nayaka (1660–1662), ruled for a short span of time after Shivappa Nayaka.
Bhadrappa Nayaka (1662–1664), succeeded Chikka Venkatappa Nayaka. During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas.
Keladi Chennamma (1672–1697) She was an able ruler who some scholars claim was allied with the
Maratha Shivaji and later his son
Sambhaji to defeat all rival claimants to the throne. She gave shelter to Chhatrapathi
Rajaram when he fled from the
Mughal army. Chennamma of Keladi is well remembered by local people through tales of her bravery.
Basavappa Nayaka (1697–1714) He was a brave ruler and the adopted son of Rani Chennammaji from their relative Markappa Shetty of Bedanur. He was a polymath and the author of
Sivatattva Ratnakara, a Sanskrit encyclopedia covering a range of subjects including History, Geography, Science and Arts and Governance.
Somashekara Nayaka II (1714–1739) His reign was marked by persistent conflicts with the
Nayakas of Chitradurga and the Marathas. Despite these external pressures, he maintained the integrity of the Keladi territories in the Malnad and Kanara regions. He is noted for his patronage of religious institutions and for continuing the administrative traditions established by his predecessors. During his rule, the capital Bidanur remained a significant center of trade and culture in South India. They were however rescued in 1767 when
Peshwa Madhavrao I defeated Hyder Ali in the battle of Madugiri. Later, they were sent to
Pune the capital of the Maratha Empire for protection. The current successor of the clan are living in Bangalore named Chaitra Arasar and Vasanth Kumar Arasar. ==Decline and end==