Karnataka 's Persian Affair

Persia (Iran) and karnataka  had intensive relations since ancient times. Each influenced each other to a great extend in all fields , let us explore the unique relationship.

King Darius I and Parashurama

The unfavorable condition of Northwestern part of India(Pakistan, Afghanistan),  under Darius I is aptly described in Behistan Inscription. He describes how he captured the Magu king and killed. The Samkiccha Jataka describes the same story - 'Yo cha Raja Adhammattho Mago tapayitva Janpadam, Tapne pecca paccati'.

What is the relevance of this King Darius  of  Achaemenid Dynasty who ruled Iran(Persia) to Karnataka. Many people unable to bear harshrule migrated from these regions and settled in several colonies under parashuram leadership from Gujarat to Kerala. Thus was started the migration of Paisachi Prakrit speaking people into Karnataka radically altering the demographic and geo- political landscape. In fact satavahana inscriptions show many paisachi words. Many of them settled in Maharastra especially Aparanta(konkan) region and vidarba region. One Group went south through karnataka and one group through Andhra and another through  western coast to kerala and Tamilnadu and eventually Lanka.

Ashoka Parthavi edict

In The Nittur Edict(Bellary) Ashoka Calls Himself The Ruler Of Parthia, "Mahalake hi vijitam" ('Vast is my empire'), proclaims Ashoka, but how extensive really was his dominion in the West? In the Nittur Edict he explicitly calls himself the king of Pathavi - an unmistakable allusion to Parthia or Parthava of the Achaemenian records of Darius. Writers like Romila Thapar attempt to explain this away by suggesting that Pathavi corresponds to Prithvi, or the Earth, and that the statement only demonstrates royal vainglory. A world emperor like Ashoka who sent missionaries to kings of many other parts of the Earth surely was not so foolish as to call himself the ruler of the Earth. The Edict shows he is also ruler of parthia (Persia – Modern Iran). This explains the wide contact between Karnataka and Persia since earliest times.Significance of Nittur Inscription reveals persia(Iran) was under Ashoka Rule.

Pulikesin II exchanges envoys with Sassanaid Khusro II

Around 625-26 AD , Chalukya King Pulakesin II (AD 610-42) exchanged envoys with Sassanian King Khusrau II (AD 596- 626). The same has been depicted in Ajantha Cave I. This information is also mentioned by persian historian Tabari, who says in the 35^th year of Khusrau perviz reign an Indian King Pharmeish or paramesa(parmeswara - title of pulakesin) sent to an ambassador carrying letters and presents to monarch and sons.The return embassy by Khusrau is depicted in Ajanta.

Vinayaditya gives protection to Persia

With the defeat of Harsha by pulikesin II and his successor Yasovarman by Vinayaditya the whole of India was under the chalukyas. Great ruler Vinayaditya realised the value of strong persia against the Arabs which was under Islamic Invasion. So he sent a battalion to protect the persia. The chalukya records show that the tribute was paid for protection by Kamera (Khamer or Combodia), Parasika (persia) and Simhala (Lanka). Visionary Vinayaditya sent a ambassdor to chinese Kao-Tsung as well. This is confirmed by Ma-Twan- Lin, who says Indian Emperor Tche-Leou-k'I-Pa-Lo(chi-lu-khi-pa-lo) or Chalukya Vallabha sent an ambassador (date 692AD). With the decline of persia, During Vikramaaditya II (733-745 AD) reign an Arab attempt to penetrate into the Deccan was thwarted by Avanijanashraya Pulakesi, the Chalukya general of Lata.

Rastrakuta , persia and Zorastrians

Persian travelers who visited Malkhed at the time of Rastrakuta's spoke of the monarchs of Rastrakutas Dynasty as 'the Emperors of Hindustan'- among the most powerful rulers of the period. The Rastrakuta's provided protection to Zorastrians fleeing persia in India. Records show large trade between persia and Rastrakuta Empire. The persian account Hudud al alam(982AD) mentions rastrakuta and chalukyas as the Bhallaraj(Srivallabha – Chalukyas and Rastrakutas) of kamkar (karnata). The persian account also claims that Rastrakuta and pratihara's were enemies of Pala. Kannauj was under poessision of Rastrakuta for a considerable time. And aptly it adds Rastrakutas as the Emperors of Hind.  

Karnata vamsavali kings near Persia

Masudi calls even Khandahar as the country of Rahbut(Rajputs are of karnataka origin) , which puts karnata rulers in the neibhourhood of Persia. Masud calls them Chach (seems to be Rajputs of Chalukya origin). Curiously Rajputs of that area (Sindh and Baluchistan and Punjab of pakistan) call themselves Bhatti Rajputs, Janjuas have always claim descendancy from Pandavas. Name Bhatti(Bhatt) and pandavas(Matrilineal society) can be only be a community that is from Coastal Karnataka around Mangalore. May be the community developed out of chalukyan expedition against Arabs and settled there. Janjuas rajputs gave rise to famous Janjuas shahi dynasty (though they did not call themselves shahis, they are named shahis because they immediately succeeded shahi dynasty and resisted Ghaznavids invasions.

Western Chalukya trade with Persia

Aihole inscription gives vivid account of flourishing trade between karnata and persia. Travelling both land and sea routes, these merchants traded mostly in precious stones, spices and perfumes, and other specialty items such as camphor. Business flourished in precious stones such as diamonds, lapis lazuli, onyx, topaz, carbuncles and emeralds. Commonly traded spices were cardamom, saffron, and cloves, while perfumes included the by-products of sandalwood, bdellium, musk, civet and rose. These items were sold either in bulk or hawked on streets by local merchants in towns. While eastern Chalukyas controlled the eastern seaboard, The Western Chalukyas controlled most of South India's west coast and by the 10th century they had established extensive trade ties with the Tang Empire of China, the empires of Southeast Asia and the Abbasid Caliphate in Bhagdad, and by the 12th century Chinese fleets were frequenting Indian ports. Exports included textiles, spices, medicinal plants, jewels, ivory, rhino horn, ebony and camphor to Dhofar, Aden and also Song dynasty in China. The final destinations for those trading with the west were Persia, Arabia and Egypt. The thriving trade center of Siraf, a port on the eastern coast of the Persian Gulf, served an international clientele of merchants including those from the Chalukya empire who were feasted by wealthy local merchants during business visits. An indicator of the Chalukyan merchants' importance in Siraf comes from records describing dining plates reserved for them. In addition to this, Siraf received aloe wood, perfumes, sandalwood and condiments. The most expensive import to karnataka were Arabian horse shipments, this trade being monopolised by Arabs and local merchants. The Western coast was the responsibility of Gujarat Chalukyas, Silharas and later Kadambas. All the three took great care to cultivate good relations with persia and Middle east.

Persian envoy Abdul Razak visited during Krishnadeva raya regime

Awe-struck by the splendor and prosperity prevailing in the Vijayanagar Empire, Abdur Razaak said,- “The pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world”. Abdur Razaak was the Persian ambassador who had visited Vijayanagara in 1446.

Trade during VijayNagar regime

Persian Ambassador Abdul Razak graphic discription of Mangalore, Bhatkal, Honavar is significant.

Mangalore, Bhatkal and Honavar were international ports in Vijayanagar times trading with Arabia and Persia. During the reign of Vijaynagar dynasty’s ‘Pepper Queen’ Ambakka, an ascription given by the Portuguese whom she had defeated. Indian spices including black pepper, cloth, rice, medicines, jaggery, sugar etc. were in great demand in Middle East, Europe and Mediterranean countries. These were produced in abundance in all the coastal belt. More than a dozen chiefs ruled in this region whose area at times, did not exceed more than 100 – 200 villages. Prominent among them were Santras (Bairaras) of Karkal, Bangas of Bangadi (Nandavar), Sawants of Mulki, Choutas of Mudbidri & Ullal, Ajilas of Venur, and Tolahas of Sura. These chiefs fought among themselves and with local administrators of Vijayanagar, most of the time, to become independent or for reduction fee in tributes and subsidies. But the strong Central Government of Vijayanagar had kept them under control, with overall supervision of Nayakas of Keladi. Over time, Some Persian-Arab traders decided to settle Bhatkal and that sect got the name ‘Navayaths’, or newcomers. Food – has an intricate relationship with the Navayath people and their culture, the cuisine from Bhatkal is just that. Rich in cultural history with strands of cuisine from the Arab and persian world which eventually have blended with the local dishes of the land.

Bahmani Kingdom and Persia

The sultanate was founded on 3rd of August 1347 by governor Ala-ud-Din Hassan Bahman Shah, possibly of Tajik-Persian descent, who revolted against the Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughluq. Nazir uddin Ismail Shah who had revolted against the Delhi sultanate stepped down on that day in favour of Zafar Khan who ascended the throne with the title of Alauddin Bahman Shah with first Gulabarga and then Bidar as capital. His revolt was successful, and he established an independent state on the Deccan. But soon the kingdom split into five sultanates. The Bahmani dynasty believed that they descended from Bahman, the legendary king of Iran. They were patrons of the Persian language, culture and literature. Some of the Bahmanid kings and princes took a personal interest in Persian, as well, and became well-versed in Persian language and literature. Hazrat Khwaja Syed Muhammad Gesu Draz, scholar of both kannada and persian, greatly encouraged the interaction between the two. Bahmani kings brought artisans from persia, Arabia and Turkey blending with local styles they built great many architectural wonders like Gol Gumbaz. The Bahamani army had soldiers from Turkey, Arabia and Persia.

Mahmud Gawan

Mahmud Gawan arrived in Bidarfrom Persia in 1453. A great scholar of Islamic lore, he founded the Madarassa (college) from his own funds on the line of Universities of Samarkhand and Khorasan. A selefless worker, he became a prime-minister of Bahamani king Mahmud III (1462- 82) whom he tutored in earlier days. But Gawan became a victim of the palace intrigue and was beheaded by the drunkern king. The later kings of the Bahamani dynasty were too weak to keep the kingdom in tact, and this led to the breakup. Bahmani kingdom survived until babur took over.

Adil Shah Origin

According to the historian Mir Rafi-uddin Ibrahim-i Shirazi, or Rafi', Yusuf's full name was Sultan Yusuf 'Adil Shah Sawa or Sawa-i, the son of Mahmud Beg of Sawa in Iran. Rafi's history of the 'Adil Shahi dynasty was written a the request of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, and was completed and presented to the patron in AH 1017. T.N. Devare mentioned that while Rafi's account of the Bahmani dynasty is filled with anachronisms, his account of the Adilshahi is "fairly accurate .

Rafi's account is less well known than that of the popular historian Firishta, the author of the Nawras- nama, also known as the Gulshan-i Ibrahim. Rafi's account of the life of Yusuf 'Adil Shah directly contradicts a fanciful legend related by Firishta on the origins of the Adil Shahi dynasty. According to him, Yusuf Adil Shah is said to have been the son of Murad II, Ottoman sultan and caliph of Islam, who was succeeded by one of his sons, Mehmed II. After his accession, the new sultan is said to have ordered the execution by strangling of all his brothers, including Yusuf. Yusuf's mother contrived to save him by replacing him with a slave boy; she then arranged to have Yusuf conveyed to Persia. Yusuf eventually came to India, where he took service under the Bahmani ruler of the Deccan, ultimately becoming a personage of importance at the court of Mahmud II.

kannada and persian as court languages in karnataka

Kannada, Persian and Arabic were court languages in Bahmani kingdom. Many of scholars in Bahmani court were well versed in both. During Mughal rule kannada elements were taken into persian by the local scholars when they went to Mughal Imperial court. Tipu sultan also made persian and kannada as court languges.  The direct interaction between Kannada (and Telugu, Marathi) and Persian along with Arabic has given a unique blend of Urdu called Deccani and it has large number of Kannada, Telugu and Marathi words.

 

Persia accounts

Persian historian Tabari gives vivid accounts of Chalukyas under pulikesin.

In 1017 A.D., at the behest of Sultan Mahmud of Persia, Alberuni (a.k.a. Al-Biruni) traveled to India to learn about the Hindus, "and to discuss with them questions of religion, science, and literature, and the very basis of their civilization". He remained in India for thirteen years, studying, and exploring. Al beruni gives a vivid accounts of Rastrakutas and karnataka.

Persian historians give account of the glory of seunas of Devagiri. Persian accounts such Burhan-i-Ma'asi , Janjira Nawab , Riyazul Insha have greatly helped in the stitching together the history in south India and karnataka in particular.

Writings of Nuniz confirms that the kings of Burma paid tributes to Vijayanagara.

Famous historian Muhammad Qasim Firishta (1560 – 1620) lived in court of Adilshah and wrote Khulasatu-t Tawarikh. Firishta not only gives vivid account of extend of Gazni raids but also the ruthlessness with which local people, temples and property destroyed by muslim rulers. It gives the vivid accounts of Bahmani rulers.

Timurid Abdur Razzaq persian Ambassador to VijayNagar Empire court during the Great Krishna Deva Raya gives vivid account of the Empire and the Emperor.

Afanasy Nikitin Russian traveler of 15th century who visited Bahmani and VijayNagar kingdoms says, There were many people coming from Khorassan (north east of Iran) Bahmani kings kept close link with the region and scholars were invited to settle in Bidar by Muhammad Gawan.

Other Accounts
Cosmas Indicopleustes of the 6th century talks about Churches Persian bishop at Kalliana (Kalyan) then under Kadambas.

Ahbar as-Sin wa'l-Hind the Arab accounts of 9^th century speak of flourishing trade between Karnataka and persia (and Middle east). Al beruni pays glowing tributes to Rastrakuta regime saying that the only country where muslims were allowed to practice the religion unhindered. He also talks about the trade ties between persia and then Rastrakuta empire.

Inscriptions in Arabic and Persian

The Bahmani kings first started giving inscriptions in persian and Arabic along with local languages Kannada, Telugu and Marathi. Large number of Inscription have found of Bahmani rule, subsequent Mughal dynasty, also Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan regimes.

Music and Persian influence.

Some scholars say , Hindustani music is a rich combination of Carnatic music and traditional persian music in Bahmani rulers courts. While carnatic music flourished south of Krishna(VijayNagar Empire), Hindustani flurished in north of Krishna(Bahmani sultanates). Bijapur ruler Ibrahim II composed Kitabe Navras to introduce Hindu music to the Muslims and the book begins with an invocation to Saraswati and Ganapati. Thus started the Sufi tradition. When Mughals took over Bahmani kingdom, music went to North to Delhi Courts as well. Meanwhile Carnatic music was not insular to persian influences, Persian modes came to be grafted and the new ragas like Darbara and kalyana were evolved by saints like Purandara.

Persian influence in Architecture

The Bahamanis introduced the large scale use of paper in administration and began the Indo-Sarasenic architectural style, designed and constructed by Persian architects and artisans, (also known as Deccani architecture) with its local influences from Karnataka.The Sultanate monuments of Bidar and Gulbarga are testimony to their interest in architecture. The Bande Nawaz tombs and a Jama Masjid in Gulbarga which exhibits a persian influence are well known. In Bidar, their buildings have Persian, Turkish, Arabic and Roman influences (the Solah Khamba mosque being an example).Rangin Mahal, Gangan Mahal, Tarkash Mahal, Chini Mahal, Nagina Mahal and the Taqk Mahal are some of the palaces built by them that have retained their beauty. The Ahmad Shah Wali tombs are noted for their decor, and the school of learning (madrasa) built by Gavan in Bidar (1472), with its lecture halls, library, mosque and residential houses are also famous. The contributions of the Bijapur Sultanate in the Indo-Saracenic idiom to the architectural landscape of Karnataka is noteworthy. Their most famous monuments are the mausoleums called Ibrahim Rauza and the Gol Gumbaz apart from many other palaces and mosques. The elegance, finish and beauty of Mehtar Mahal is claimed by a historian to be equal to anything in Cairo. Their Kali Masjid at Lakshmeshwar is a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles. The Ibrahim Rauza built by Ibrahim II is a combination of a mausoleum and a mosque and is called the "Taj Mahal of the Deccan".The Gol Gumbaz built by Muhammad is the largest dome in India and the second largest pre-modern dome in the world after the Byzantine Hagia Sophia with an impressive "whispering gallery". Some historians consider this one of the architectural marvels of the world.

Kashida (Kasuti) 
The word kashida is derived from the Persian word meaning embroidery. This shows that there were contacts between Persia and Karnataka since the reign of Chalukyas in the 6th century A.D. Traditionally designs are worked out on the web of black Irkal handloom saris-the warp and weft of the fabrics regulated stitches. It was worked by counting threads and without knots, hence is identical on both sides. This type of embellishment is usually done by four varieties of stitches namely Ganthi- line or backstitch, vertical, horizontal and diagonal. Murgi- zig zag, it runs up and down like steps of a ladder. Negi, weaving stitch and Menthe-forked branch or cluster stitch resembling fenugreek seeds.

Bidriware

According to one version, Abdullah-bin-Khaiser, an expert in bidriware, migrated to Bidar in the 11th century and joined hands with an equally proficient goldsmith familiar with the secrets of the trade. Together they gave impetus to the craft.

Another popular tale recounts that one of the Hindu kings of Bidar innovated the crafts of bidriware, using the articles thus decorated to hold flowers and other offerings in honor of his household Gods. Later, under the patronage of the Mughals, indigenous manufacturers were extended both co-operation and encouragement and in course of time, bidriwork reached its zenith in perfection, design and finesse.
The traditional art of damascening in silver or Koftgari work, as Bidri is popularly known, entails encrusting one metal into another in the form of a wire. It is akin to the ancient art of inlaying gold and silver in copper and steel, which was practiced in Persia and Arabia at one time. It is believed that the know-how was brought to India from these countries but took an altogether different form, which became the specialty of Bidar from where it derives its name

Process of Making Bidriware The origin of the technical aspect of bidriware is not definitely known. It appears that like other Persian articles of metal, this particular type of work was probably developed by experimenting with various alloys to guarantee brilliance by contrast. The resultant ingredient was an alloy of zinc and copper combined with other non-ferrous metals.

The new alloy, thus produced, is brittle but does not rust or corrode and has the additional advantage of allowing a better polish. Each bidri utensil has to pass through a long complicated process of casting, polishing, engraving, inlaying and blackening of the alloy before the final product is ready for the market.

Persian wheel in Karnataka

The Persian wheel is a mechanical water lifting device operated usually by draught animals like bullocks, buffaloes or camels. It is used to lift water from water sources typically open wells. In Sanskrit the word Araghatta has been used in the ancient texts to describe the Persian Wheel. The ‘ara-ghatta’ comes from the combination of the words ‘ara’ meaning spoke and ‘ghatta’ meaning pot. There is evidence to argue that this system of lifting water from open wells was probably invented in the India of the past. With its use also in Iran, the then Persia, and perhaps its discovery there, it came to be called the Persian wheel. The celebrated writer philosopher Ananda K Coomaraswamy in his monograph ‘The Persian Wheel’ argues that it is not justified to draw its origins to Persia as it finds mention in the Panchatantra (3rd Century BCE) and the Rajatarangini (12 th century CE) as the ‘cakka-vattakka’ or the ‘ghati yantra’.

Persian wheel represents a water culture and water heritage of India. It therefore seems imperative to document and preserve the knowledge base around this instrument which was both a function and an indicator of the ecological availability of water at shallow levels. The great water heritage still practiced in Karnataka should be preserved.

The Rastrakuta empire records while decribing Agriculture ,explains about Persian wheel technology. The Vijaynagar empire promoted both persian wheel and Ghanat system (originated in persia) for irrigation.

As you can see the relations is very vast and we need  a chair either at Gulbarga, Bijapur or Bidar Universities  with a counterpart in Iran to study each aspect in this long interaction between karnataka and Persia on the one hand and Kannada and Persian on the other.

Sources
The Persian Wheel in India by Srikantaiah VISHWANATH
Political History of the Chalukyas of Badami By D. P. Dikshit
Chronicles of Early Janjuas By Hussain Khan
Goa Through the Ages: An economic history By Teotonio R. De Souza
Bahamani Kings of Gulbarga and Bidar by Dr. (Mrs) Jyotsna Kamat
Indo-Persian Travels in the Age of Discoveries, 1400–1800 by Muzaffar Alam, Sanjay Subrahmanyam

Related Posts 
Karnata and Anatolia  
Ashoka's Swarnabhoomi 
Topics

Lanka and Karnataka over the Ages

Sri Lanka also known as Simhala and Ceylon is familiar to Indians as the abode of Ravana who was killed by Sri Rama in the Tretha Yuga. Its nearness to South India had practically made it a part of the Peninsula politically and culturally for the past two thousand years and more. Though now a days we feel as if it is far away, in the ancient period, our kings treated Sri Lanka as a next - door neighbour and waged wars frequently.

Ramayana
Earliest link is Gokarna Mahabaleshwar. Where Ravana on his way to Lanka with the Jyotirlinga given by Shiva himself stopped at this place, where Ganesha took the Jyotirlinga from him on some pretext and kept it on ground. As per Shiva's words the Jyotirlinga once kept on ground cannot be moved and however Ravana tried he could not move it, hence the name "Mahabaleshwar'. The pull exerted by Ravana, is said to have caused the Shivalinga to resemble the shape of a cow's ear and hence the name Gokarn. Interestingly Trincomalee is also called Gokarn and inscription in Koneswaran temple says it was ruled by vaduka's (Karnata's) and will return to vadugar rule after 500 years. " The Konesvaram shrine itself was demolished in 1622 by the Portuguese (who called it the Temple of a Thousand Columns), and who fortified the heights with the materials derived from its destruction. Some of the artefacts from the demolished temple were kept in the Lisbon Museum including the stone inscription by Kulakottan (Kunakottan). It has an emblem including two fish(Alupa Emblem) and is engraved with a prophesy stating that, after the 16th century, westerners with different eye colours will rule the country for 500 years and, at the end of it, rule will revert back to Vadugus"

Buddhism:
Karnataka's contact with Sri Lanka is more than two thousand years old. Karnataka had attained great fame in the Buddhist world for its patronage to Buddha's religion as early as the third century B.C, as evidenced by the statement that Ashoka had sent a Buddhist monk Rakkhita to Banavasi in Karnataka for the propagation of Buddhism. Mahavamsha, a great Buddhist work furnishes the other important connection. A huge Buddhist Stupa was built in Ceylon and a grand inaugural function was arranged, for which invitations were sent to all parts of the Buddhist world. One of the invitees was Chandra Gupta from Karnataka (Banavasi). He accepted the invitation and went to Sri Lanka with 80,000 Buddhist monks. The Sri Lankans took care of the monks from Karnataka and showed them great respect. This happened more than two thousand years ago.


Hala Satavahana in Lilavati
Lilavati Parinayam(Prakrit) of Kutuhala a kavya work. It deals with the romance and Marriage between king Satavahana and princess lilavati daughter of king Silamegha of Simhaladvipa(Sri Lanka). Lilavati describes Hala with an expedition in the sapta Godavari region, modern Draksharama, in Godavari district and clears the air about Satavahana origin. Had Andhra been original home of Satvahana, what was the necessity, on the part of satvahana king to take fresh military campaign there, unless temporarily occupied by another power, for which we have no evidence. Lilavati says Vijayananda, the commander-in-Chief of Hala's army led a successful campaign in Ceylon. Acharya Nagarjuna is said to be Minister of Hala Satavahana.

Mahavamsa
Mahavamsa says that King Elara secured Mysore Army help in capturing Lanka throne.

Kadambas seems to be  a major influence in Lanka in 5 th century AD. The present day Malwatuoya  river was called Kadamba Nadi as per Mahavamsa.

Vanavasi School
There was Buddhist School called Vanavasi, which tutored monks and several monks with high literary knowledge came out of the school. The Scholars from this school were called Vanavasi Sect. Ananda author of Mulatika came from Vanavasi and became head of this sect. Ananda was also called Vanaratna Tissa.


Chalukya
When Pulikesin II was defeated by Pallava king, the Lanka prince sat in the court of Pallava monarch to form strategies. Because the Lankans knows if the Pallava fall to chalukya , Lanka will be next.

Pulakesi II's grandson Vinayaditya invaded Ceylon in 690 AD and defeated King Manavarman who agreed to pay tribute to the Chalukyas.

Rastrakuta
Rastrakuta Govinda III (793 - 814 AD) who was a great warrior had practically become the master of South India. Agrabodhi, the King of Ceylon feared that Govinda III would invade Sri Lanka and voluntarily surrendered to him through a novel method. He sent his own statue and also that of his Minister to Rastrakuta Govinda as a symbol of submission. The next Rastrakuta King Krishna, suffered an initial defeat, but was able to defeat the Ceylonese King Mahendra IV. The latter met Krishna and bowed down to his feet as a mark of submission. It is said that Mahendra fled from his Capital and Karnataka soldiers occupied parts of Sri Lanka. These victories of Karnataka encouraged many Karnataka soldiers and heroes to make Ceylon as their homeland and they continued to stay there for generations, and became Ceylonese themselves. 

Kalyana Chalukyas
Vikramaditya VI (1076 - 1126 AD), the great Chalukya King of the Kalyana branch, invaded Sri Lanka during the reign of Jayabahu. He sent choice gifts to Vikramaditya VI as a mark of friendship and kept many heroes of Karnataka as mercenaries. There developed a rivalry between the two Ceylonese kings, and Gajabahu, who was his cousin, requested the soldiers from Karnataka to help him against his rival Parakramabahu and paid them rich remuneration. Thus the brave soldiers of Karnataka began to play an important role in Sri Lankan politics. During this period, Karnataka imported large quantities of precious stones, pearls and emeralds from that island. The Sri Lanka kings became closer to Karnataka and began to use names and titles like Trailokyamalla and Tribhuvanamalla, which were quite popular in Karnataka. The Goa Kadamba ruler Shasthadeva (1005 – 1050 AD) was a great hero of many naval battles. In one such battle, he went to Ceylon and extracted tribute from the Ceylonese king.


Hoysalas:
The Hoysalas also tried their luck against Ceylon and obtained success. A Hoysala naval commander by name Gopayya went to Ceylon by a sea route and in a naval battle killed a Chief Parakramabahu of Ceylon. Because of this victory, he became famous as “Samudra Gopayya” in the land of the Hoysalas. Later the Hoysalas suffered a defeat. The Ceylonese soldiers cut off the trunk of the Hoysala elephant when it tried to destroy the Sri Lankan soldiers. A matrimonial alliance was made. A Sri Lankan prince by name Manabharana married a Hoysala princess.


Later Kadambas and Silharas
The inscription of Narendra describes that Kadamba King Jayakesi (1104–1148 AD) built a bridge with a line of ships reaching as far as Lanka and conquered Lanka and Kavadidvipa, probably Kavaratti Island of Lakshadweep. The inscription reads: Chattayyadevam devaraja prakatita vibhavam Svikritaschayya saurayyam Kavadi dvipamum adiage palavum dvipamgalam kondu (He was Chattayadeva, the exalted Lord of the Western Ocean, who displayed the majesty of the King of Gods and possessed miraculous heroism. As he took Kavadi-dvipa and many other regions, built a bridge with lines of ships reaching as far as Lanka (and) claimed tribute among grim barbarians, exceedingly exalted was the dominion of the Kadamba sovereign, which many called a religious estate for the establishment of the worship). This shows that rulers of the Kadamba dynasty maintained an efficient navy. Besides inscriptions, the literary sources also mention the construction of ships meant for naval warfare.

Vijayanagar Empire
With the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire, contacts between Karnataka and Sri Lanka became more prolific. King Harihara II's brother Yuvaraja Virupanna invaded Sri Lanka, defeated its king and established a pillar of victory there. Actually, he killed the Sri Lankan King Vijayabahu ruling at Jaffna. With this, many Karnataka soldiers, their families and merchants settled down in the Jaffna area. Hence some contemporary visitors refer to Jaffna as a city of Karnataka. Thus by 1385 AD, Jaffna area was well known as a Karnata land.


Marital connections:
Vijayanagara King Devaraya II invaded Ceylon again in 1460 AD and won a victory. The Sri Lankan King gave his daughter Simhaladevi in marriage to Devaraya II. Actually, Lakkanna Dandanayaka was the real hero of this battle. After Lakkanna's return to Hampi, the Sri Lankan King became independent and they were again defeated. The Sri Lankan kings continued to accept the suzerainty of Krishnadevaraya, Achyutaraya and Sadashivaraya. A Vijayanagara prince by name Vithala was appointed as the Viceroy of Sri Lanka.


Commerce:
More than political relations, the Vijayanagara kings had a commercial interest in Sri Lanka. This is confirmed by the discovery of a large number of Vijayanagara gold coins in different parts of Sri Lanka. Vijayanagara art made some impact on Sri Lankan architecture and sculpture. Goods which reached Sri Lanka from Europe and other countries were purchased by Vijayanagara merchants. With the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, contacts between Sri Lanka and Karnataka began to decline because of the development of the Portuguese power in Ceylon. Thus Karnataka from very early times had political, religious and commercial contacts with Sri Lanka. Now it is limited to tourism only.

Sources

Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy,

Origin of Vijaynagara Empire

what is the origin of Vijayanagar Rulers , Major claims are kannadigas and Telugu, Let us see the facts.

The Vijaynagara kingdom was established by Harihara and Bukka in 1336 in Anegundi in koppal district of Karnataka. Later the capital was shifted to Hampi. The dispute has been on the origin of these two people. Let us what are the claims

Telugu Origin

• Robert Sewell said the founders Harihara and Bukka were Kakatiya guards and of Kuruba/Golla origin
• Saletore surmised that Hampi was lying outside the Hoysala territory and supported the Telugu origin of Vijayanagara kings
• Telugu Nayaks (Kamma, Balija, Velama and Reddy) for revenue collection throughout the empire also supported the Telugu affinity

Muslim origin
Muslim historians and scholars of the time such as Ziauddin Barani, Isarni and Ferishta and foreign visitors like Ibn Batuta and Nuniz also recorded that the brothers were serving the King Prataparudra and were made captive after the fall of Warangal. According to another historian who based his research on evidence culled from inscriptions such as Gozalavidu record, "the founders of Vijayanagara were at first in the service of the last Kakatiya king Prataparudra of Warangal, and that when that monarch was defeated by Muhammad bin Tughluq and taken prisoner, they fled to Kampili and took refuge in the court of Kampilideva” . On the outbreak of a rebellion in Kampili the brothers were sent by Tughlaq with an army to Kampili to reconquer it from the rebels and rule the province as his deputies. They successfully accomplished the task but under the influence of Vidyaranya they renounced Islam, and threw in their lot with the Musunuri Nayaks who had just then succeeded, under the leadership of Kaapaya, in expelling the Muslims and re-establish the national independence. Harihara and Bukka then reverted to their ancient faith and having declared independence, assumed the leadership of the Hindus of Kampili in their fight against the Muslims.

Kannada Origin

• Inscriptions prove that Harihara I and Bukka Raya I were in the Hoysala service a decade before their arrival at Kampili (in modern Bellary district).
• Not only did the widow of Hoysala Veera Ballala III participate in the coronation of Harihara I in 1346, her name appears before that of the Vijayanagara King Harihara I in a 1349 inscription indicating he gained legitimacy for being a devoted heir of the Hoysalas.
• original founding of Vijayanagara was in 1320 by Veera Ballala III, then known as Vijayavirupaksha Hosapattana. By 1344, the transfer of power from the Hoysala Empire to the emerging Vijayanagara empire seems to have been gradual and without bloodshed, as ex-Hoysala officers melted away from a crumbling Hoysala power now to support the Sangama cause.
• In 1346, Harihara I made a grant to Bharati Tirtha in the presence of Krishnayitayi, queen of Hoysala Veera Ballala III, who herself made a grant on the same day. Harihara I was a commander in the Hoysala Kingdom and had been appointed by Veera Ballala III with autonomous powers after the fall of the Seuna and Kampili kingdoms, to administer the northern territories.
• The very first fortress Harihara I built was the fort at Barakuru in coastal Karnataka in 1336, when he was a Hoysala commander in charge of its northern territories from his seat in Gutti, modern Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh, at that time a Hoysala territory.
• He assumed the Kannada titles Purvapaschima Samudradhishvara (Master of eastern and western and occeans), Arirayavibhada (fire to the enemy kings) and Bhashegetappuvarayaraganda (punisher of the ruler who failed to keep a promise).
• It has been pointed out that even famous Telugu scholars Vallabharaya and Srinatha, in their works called the Sangama brothers Karnata Kshitinatha, indicating they were a Kannada family.
• An early inscription of Harihara II called him , Lion to the scent elephant of the Andhra king, demonstrating their anti-Telugu propensity. Persian author Ferishta of Vijayanagara days wrote the emperors as "Roies of Karnataka".
• The Kannada writings of that time Chikkadevaraya Vamshavali and Keladinripa Vijayam state that the Sangama brothers were Kuruba by caste making them people of Karnataka.
• Almost half of the Vijayanagar inscriptions are in Kannada out of a total of about 7000 available today and use surnames which are pure Kannada titles such as Bhashegetappuva - rayara - ganda, Moorurayaraganda and Arirayadatta. The remaining inscriptions are in Sanskrit, Telugu and Tamil.
• The Karnataka Empire or Vijayanagar Empire was originally of the Karnataka region and it drew its inspirations from the Hoysala Empire and the Western Ganga Dynasty of the Karnataka. Inscriptional evidence shows that Ballappa Dandanayaka, a nephew of Hoysala Veera Ballala III was married to a daughter of Harihara I, the founder of the empire. This is claimed proof enough of the association Sangama brothers had with the Hoysala family.
• It is also asserted that the theory of capture of Harihara I and Bukka Raya I by the Sultan of Delhi and conversion to Islam is false and that the testimony of epigraphs proves that the area around Hampi constituted their homeland. The empire never had a Telugu origin. The patron saint of the early kings was saint Vidyaranya, the 12th Shankaracharya of Sringeri in Karnataka and this is proof enough of their unquestionable identity with the Kannada country.
• great devotion the founders of the empire had in Lord Chennakeshava of Belur and Lord Virupaksha of Hampi testifying to their origin from Kannada country
• Sangama brothers even signed their Sanskrit records in Kannada as Srivirupaksha and used their Kannada titles even in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit records. No such Telugu titles were used by them.

Robert Sewell
while on a visit to Beidur in Mysore (Karnataka) in 1801, was shown by one Ramappa Varmika a Sanskrit book in his possession called the Vidyaranya Sikka, which mentioned that the founders of Vijayanagar were Harihara and Bukka, guards of the treasury of the Kakatiya King Prataparudra of Warangal. These young brothers met a spiritual teacher, Vidyaranya, the sage of Sringeri monastery, who guided them to establish the kingdom in 1336 and Harihara was made first king. Robert Sewell concluded that Harihara and Bukka were treasury officers of Golla/Kuruba caste, in the court of Warangal (Kakatiya dynasty). As you can see Robert conclusion is based on hearsay and does not carry any firm evidence.
Vidyaranya
Though controversies over the role of Vidyaranya in the founding of the empire exist, Vidyaranya was an important Sanyasi at the Sringeri order, though not the head of the monastic order until 1380. Vidyaranya Kalajnana (in Sanskrit), Vidyaranya Vrittanta, Rajakalanirnay written by Vidyaranya terms the two as working in gaurds in Kakatiya Tresaury,but it also says they are Kuruba lineage. Kurubas are kannadigas and Kaktiya is Telugu kingdom. And he also say they worked for Chalukyas, Now is the Saint trying to get support of both kannadigas and telugu?

Sivatatva Ratnakara
This book was written in 1709 well after all the legendary stuff has been created. It has Said Vijayangara kings as rulers of Andhra ,not rulers from Andhra

Scholars like Prof. K. A. Nilakanta Sastry, Dr. N. Venkataramanayya and B. Surya Narayana Rao are known for anti-kannada roles. Their theory of Telugu and Tamil older than Kannada and both are sister languages is well known. They are proposed that Kannada region spoke tamil before 1oth century. So their comments cannot be taken seriously.