Nayak dynasties

The Nayak or Nayaka dynasties (from Sanskrit नायक nāyaka "leaders") are several South Indian ruling dynasties that emerged from the empire of Vijayanagar after the fall .

After the emergence of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 14th century, its rulers had appointed Telugu- speaking military governors who administered parts of the empire and carried the title of Nayak . When the Vijayanagar Empire collapsed in 1565 after the devastating defeat against the Dekkan sultanates in the Battle of Talikota , many of the nayaks filled the power vacuum by going into business for themselves. The most important Nayak dynasties included the Nayaks of Keladi , the Nayaks of Madurai with residence in Madurai and Tiruchirappalli (Trichinopoly) and the Nayaks of Thanjavur , who ruled Thanjavur (Tanjore).

literature

• Hermann Kulke , Dietmar Rothermund : History of India. From the Indus culture to today. Munich 1998.