On the eastern edge of the plateau a dry belt of tank villages, granite hills and old gold workings runs from Kolar through Mulbagal and Nandi to the Tamil country.
Its old rulers (Gangas of Kuvalala, Banas) are gone as kings but their names and temples remain (the Kolaramma temple with Rajendra Chola's inscriptions; the Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple at Nandi). Hoysala governors hold the towns; Chola claims from Kulottunga III's reign (reported, not read) and Telugu Choda chiefs press from the east. The two kingdoms are at peace on 1 January 1200, tied by marriage.
Who he is
- Title
- local chiefs of the eastern plateau, with Hoysala and Chola claims over them
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not known
- Family
- The Gangas called themselves lords of Kuvalala (Kolar) long after they left it; the Banas (Mahabalis) and Vaidumbas left inscriptions in the district; Telugu Choda chiefs (the Nidugal line) held the dry north-east on the Chola side (our recollection, not checked)
- Confidence
- low
Wikipedia (Kolar district): the Cholas annexed Kolar in 1004 and held it to 1116; Kolar passed to the Hoysalas in 1117; Chola, Hoysala and Telugu rulers each left inscriptions there. Wikipedia does not say who held Kolar around 1200 or mention Kulottunga III there.
Overlord
Hoysala by incorporation of 1117; Chola claim lives on in the inscriptions (a third of the district's inscriptions are in Tamil, per the campaign board)
What it holds
- Kolar and the gold workings south of it
- Nandi hills and the road east into the Kolar country
- Mulbagal and Bangarapet toward the Chola frontier
How it was acquired
Hoysala from 1117.
Allies and rivals
Hoysala and Chola alliance; local chiefs.
How things stand that morning
Hoysala by title, Chola by echo; quiet.
Wealth
Kolar gold (small and irregular), tank villages.
Military
Hill forts such as Nandi, Shivagange.
Threats
- A breach of the Hoysala-Chola peace
Where the sources disagree
- The campaign board entry shows Kolar as Hoysala 'likely'; the brief asks for the Hoysala-Chola edge. We draw it contested.
Evidence: Wikipedia gives the 1004 and 1117 dates but no holder for 1200.
"The campaign board" is OMNIA's working map. These notes record where its earlier claims were checked against the sources.
Sources and studies
- Kolar district, Wikipedia (read for this sheet)
- Kulottunga Chola III, Wikipedia (read for this sheet)
- OMNIA board notes for the place (a lead, checked against the other sources)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.