was Sala, also known as Nripakama. His son
succeeded by Ballala I. He ruled over a small principality, with his capital at
Belur, although Dvarasamudra (modem Halebid) was an alternative capital.
Bittiga or Vishnuvardhana Ballala was succeeded by his younger brother
Bittiga, better known as Vishnuvardhana. He was the real maker of the
Hoyasala kingdom. He annexed the Chola province of Gangavadi and parts
of Nalambavadi. He defeated the neighbouring chieftains and built up a little
kingdom for himself.
    Having secured the southern frontier against the Cholas, Vishnuvardhana
turned against Chalukya Vikramaditya. But Vikramaditya drove the Hoyasala
ruler back to his territory. But during the reign of Chalukya Somesvara III,
Vishnuvardhana not only defied the authority of the Chalukyas, but tried to
extend his dominions at their expense. Originally he was a Jaina, but later he
became a Vaishnava when he was influenced by the Vaishnava teachings of
Ramanuja.
Ballala II Vishnuvardhana was succeeded by his son Vijaya Narasimha I
who in turn was succeeded by his son Ballala II. In the first twenty years of
his rule he had to fight hard against the feudatories of the Chalukya empire.
He entered into protracted war with the Yadavas and fought successfully
against the Kadambas. Emboldened by the decline of the Chalukya power he
finally declared his independence. He helped the Chola Kulottunga III and
Rajaraja III against Sundara Pandya. He was succeeded by his son
Narasimha.
Narasimha II and Somesvara Narasimha II had to intervene to save the
Cholas from the Pandyas. He restored Rajaraja III to the throne. Narasimha’s
son and successor, Somesvara, established himself in the south and built a
capital at Kannanur near Srirangam. He fought frequently against the
Pandyas, but was ultimately defeated and killed by the latter who overran the
Chola kingdom.
Narasimha III and Ballala III Narasimha III successfully held the
Hoyasala frontier in north against Yadava aggressions. Ballala III, the son of
Narasimha III, while waging successful aggressive campaigns against the
Yadavas, had to fight hard against the powerful rebellions of feudatories of
the empire and the Pandyas in the south. He was able to protect the integrity
of his kingdom till 1310 when     he was over-powered by Malik Kafur, the