Many religions, cultures and kingdoms have rolled across Karnataka. Though many dynasties ruled Karnataka, it was the Hoysalas who ruled between the 11^th and the 14^th century has left an indelible mark. By the medieval era, Muslim incursions from the north forced the warring southern states to stand together with Vijayanagar emerging supreme. Vijayanagar pecked in the early 1550s, but was reduced to rubble in the Battle of Talikota, 1565. 

The Wodeyars  of  Mysore, who established their rule after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire remained unchallenged until 1761 when Hider Ali deposed them with the support of the French. The French in return sought the help of Hider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan to fight the British. In 1799, Tipu was put the Wodeyars back on the throne. They continued to rule Mysore state until independence. The boundaries of Mysore state were redrawn on linguistic basis in 1956 and the extended Kannada-speaking state of Greater Mysore was established. In 1972, this was renamed Karnataka.