Hoysala Empire

The Hoysala Empire was a South Indian dynasty that ruled most of present-day Karnataka along with parts of Tamil Nadu and southwestern Telangana between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries, governing first from a capital at Belur before relocating to Halebidu. Originating as feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana in Karnataka's Malnad region, the Hoysalas rose to independent prominence under King Vishnuvardhana after a victory over the Cholas at the Battle of Talakad, and expanded further by exploiting conflict between the Western Chalukyas and the Kalachuris in the twelfth century. Established around 950 AD and disestablished in 1346 AD, the empire is especially remembered for its distinctive temple architecture, with more than one hundred surviving temples including the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2023.