Reference
A History of South India
The classic survey of the south, from prehistory to the fall of Vijayanagara.
Hoysala Empire
Empire
Level 2
c. 1026 – 1343
Karnataka dynasty famed for the temples of Belur and Halebidu.
- Capital
- Dorasamudra (Halebidu)
- Region
- South
- Duration
- 317 years
- Main period
- Chola & Major Southern Kingdoms
Approximate extent.
Rulers
- Vishnuvardhana Kingc. 1108 – c. 1152Chennakeshava temple, Belur.
- Veera Ballala II King1173 – 1220
- Veera Ballala III King1292 – 1343Last Hoysala, killed at Madurai.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Personalities
📚 Recommended reading on the Hoysala Empire
Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See all recommended books →
Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Hoysala Empire for a significant part of its history.
Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Shakambhari ★
West · c. 650 CE – c. 1194
Pala Empire ★
East · c. 750 CE – c. 1161
Chola Empire ★
South · c. 848 CE – 1279
Ghaznavid Empire ★
Northwest · c. 977 CE – c. 1186
Polonnaruwa Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 1070 – 1232
Sultanate of the Maldives ★
Islands · c. 1153 – 1968
Malla Dynasty of Nepal ★
Himalaya · 1201 – 1769
Delhi Sultanate ★
North · 1206 – 1526
Ahom Kingdom ★
Northeast · 1228 – 1826
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
Deccan · c. 624 CE – c. 1075
Kalachuris of Tripuri
Central · c. 675 CE – 1212
Guhilas of Medapata
West · c. 728 CE – 1303
Tomaras of Delhi
North · c. 736 CE – c. 1152
Thakuri Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 750 CE – 1200
Chera Perumals of Makotai
South · c. 800 CE – c. 1124
Paramara Dynasty
Central · c. 800 CE – 1305
Chandela Dynasty
Central · c. 831 CE – 1315
Chaulukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat
West · c. 940 CE – 1244
Western Chalukyas of Kalyani
Deccan · c. 973 CE – c. 1189
Lohara Dynasty of Kashmir
North · c. 1003 – c. 1171
Soomra Dynasty
Northwest · c. 1026 – 1351
Sena Dynasty
East · c. 1070 – 1230
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
East · c. 1078 – 1434
Gahadavala Dynasty
Gangetic Plain · c. 1089 – c. 1197
Khasa Malla Kingdom
Himalaya · c. 1100 – c. 1400
Zamorins of Calicut
South · c. 1124 – 1766
Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur)
West · c. 1128 – 1949
Kakatiya Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1163 – 1323
Ghurid Empire
Northwest · c. 1175 – 1206
Seuna (Yadava) Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1187 – 1317
Pandya Empire (Second Empire)
South · c. 1190 – 1345
Jaffna Kingdom
Sri Lanka · c. 1215 – 1619
Marwar (Rathore)
West · c. 1226 – 1949