Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Shivamogga

About Keladi Nayakas

Nayakas of Keladi is a little known dynasty, and its prominent ruler Shivappa Nayaka is an underrated king in India. Indian History books do not give importance to indigenous rulers. Originally, a vassal of the Vijayanagara Empire, they became independent and ruled over Malnad and coastal Karnataka for nearly 200 years. Their reign also spread to Northern Kerala. They brought in some stability from the confusion and anarchy that plagued the region after the fall of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire.

Shivappa Nayaka was the strongest king of the dynasty. He led successful campaigns against Bijapur sultans, Mysore kings and the Portuguese. Portuguese were routed from Karnataka after he captured all their ports. He was not just great at winning wars, but he was also an able administrator and patronised art and literature. The famous “Bekal fort” was built by him!!

Our visit

I had previously visited the temples of Keladi and Ikkeri. Another prominent historical monument was Shivappa Nayaka Palace in Shivamogga. Though I am from the Shivamogga district and stayed in the town for two years during my college days, I never visited it. I recently managed to find time to visit this place while driving to my native.

Finding the Palace was easy. If you are coming from Bengaluru, enter Shivamogga without taking the bypass. Take a left turn to Fort road after the Tunga bridge. The Palace is a little less than a km from the main road. Tunga river flows next to it.

The Palace was built during the early Nayaka rulers and renovated by Shivappa Nayaka. Its resemblance to the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan in Bengaluru is striking!! The Palace has a spacious open pillared hall with rooms on the side. The staircases from the pillared hall leads to the balcony.

The Palace also serves as a museum today, with several artefacts displayed in the rooms. It consists of weapons, manuscripts and sculptures found in the area.