<p>Various regions of Karnataka were once governed by different kings and dynasties, each of which had its own unique royal emblem. These emblems were prominently displayed on coins, flags and monuments, serving as enduring symbols of their rule. Such emblems hold great significance in shaping national and dynastic identities, representing authority, cultural heritage and traditions.</p>.<p>The Kadambas, one of the earliest Kannada-speaking dynasties of Karnataka (4th to 6th centuries CE), ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan region from their capital at Banavasi, located in present-day Uttara Kannada district. Founded by Mayurasharma around 345 CE, the dynasty adopted the lion as their emblem — a symbol of strength, courage, and sovereignty. This emblem served as a representation of their royal authority and cultural identity, reflecting their aspirations to assert dominance and command respect.</p>.<p>The lion emblem of the Kadambas was prominently featured on their coins, inscriptions and architectural elements, symbolising their contributions to the region’s political and cultural heritage. It stands as a historical testament to their legacy as pioneers of independent rule in Karnataka, fostering significant advancements in art, literature and architecture.</p>.<p>The Western Ganga dynasty ruled ancient Karnataka from about 350 to 999 CE. The elephant was adopted as their emblem. The dynasty’s coinage featured an elephant on the obverse and floral scrollwork on the reverse. The coins also included a variety of other symbols, such as a royal umbrella or conch shell above the elephant.</p>.<p><strong>The eagle emerges</strong></p>.<p>The Rashtrakutas (6th to 10th centuries CE), were known for their contributions to politics, culture and art. Amoghavarsha I, one of their renowned rulers, governed from Manyakheta (modern-day Malkhed in Sedam taluk of Kalaburagi district). The Rashtrakutas adopted the golden eagle, or garuda, as their emblem, symbolising power, authority and divine protection. In Hindu mythology, Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu, represents courage and speed. This emblem reflected the dynasty’s imperial aspirations and its role as the ‘upholdersof dharma’. It was prominently featured in their inscriptions, coins and art, underscoring their sovereignty and cultural connection to Hindu traditions.</p>.<p><strong>A kingdom’s crest</strong></p>.<p>The Chennakeshava temple in Belur, Hassan district, offers a fine example of the royal emblem or insignia of the Hoysala dynasty. One of the first features to capture the attention of beholders is the Hoysala crest — a depiction of a young warrior slaying a tiger.</p>.<p>According to the legend, a seer and his disciple, Sala, were attacked by a tiger during a ritual. The guru commanded, “Hoy Sala!” (Strike, Sala!), and Sala killed the tiger with a single blow. Pleased with his bravery, the guru encouraged Sala to establish a kingdom, leading to the foundation of the Hoysala dynasty. This legendary event was immortalised as the dynasty’s royal emblem.</p>.<p>S Settar, historian and scholar of south Indian history, in his book ‘Hoysala Sculpture in Karnataka’, writes, “The tiger-slaying emblem of the Hoysalas is not merely a tale of bravery but a symbolic representation of their triumph over the Cholas, marking their rise to power and prominence.” </p>.<p><strong>The symbol of the boar</strong></p>.<p>The earliest Chalukyan dynasty, known as the Badami Chalukyas, ruled from Vatapi (known commonly as Badami), starting from the mid-6th century CE. Pulakeshin I, the first independent ruler of this dynasty, established his reign in Badami, located in present-day Bagalkot district.</p>.<p>The royal emblem of the Chalukyas of Badami was the boar, or varaha, a symbol deeply embedded in Indian mythology and culture. Associated with strength, valour, and divine protection, the boar is linked to the legend of Vishnu’s varaha avatar, which restored balance by rescuing the earth from chaos. This emblem embodied the Chalukyas’ ideals of power, resilience and their role as guardians of their kingdom and its people.</p>.<p>Historian K A Nilakanta Sastri noted in his work, ‘A History of South India’, “The boar, or varaha, as the royal emblem of the Chalukyas of Badami, was not merely a symbol of their might but also a reflection of their adherence to the cultural and religious ethos of the time, drawing upon the divine attributes of Vishnu’s incarnation as a saviour and protector.”</p>.<p>The varaha also served as the state emblem of the Vijayanagara kingdom and was central to the royal insignia of its rulers. This emblem featured four key elements: The sun, moon, a dagger, and a wild boar. This emblem is prominently displayed on structures built under Vijayanagara patronage, including base mouldings of pavilions, gateways and Vijayanagara-era coinage, highlighting its enduring cultural and political significance.</p>.<p>The historian Robert Sewell, known for his work on Vijayanagara history, in his seminal book ‘A forgotten empire: Vijayanagar’, writes: “The emblem of the boar, the sacred Varaha, symbolised not only the Vaishnava faith but also the divine sanction of power that the Vijayanagara rulers sought to convey through their art and architecture.”</p>.<p><strong>The tiger</strong></p>.<p>Tipu Sultan adopted the tiger as his personal symbol, and upon ascending to the throne in 1782, he made it the official emblem of the kingdom of Mysore. The tiger’s head became his armorial bearing, and the word sher (tiger) or its initial appeared on every item he used — whether stamped, embroidered or engraved. Renowned as ‘the Tiger of Mysore’, Tipu’s identity was deeply intertwined with the tiger. Even the stripes on his clothing, the upholstery of his throne, and the cushions in his chambers echoed the distinctive markings of the tiger. His throne, designed with eight corners and topped by eight tiger heads, was crafted to resemble the back of a tiger, with a large golden tiger’s head projected at the front.</p>.<p>The gandaberunda, a two-headed bird from Hindu mythology, is one of the most recognisable symbols, believed to possess immense magical strength. Typically depicted clutching elephants in its talons and beak, the bird symbolises extraordinary power. </p>.<p>There are several variations of this emblem. One of the earliest representations of the gandaberunda can be found carved in the Chennakeshava temple of Belur, dating back to 1113 CE. A roof sculpture featuring the gandaberunda is also located on the Rameshwara Temple in Keladi, Shivamogga district. The symbol was adopted by the Wadiyar dynasty as their royal emblem. Additionally, notable examples of gandaberunda can be seen in the Mysuru Palace and the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel in Mysuru.The gandaberunda has been embraced as the official state symbol of Karnataka. It is also featured in the logo of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.</p>.<p>In recent years, it has also appeared in the crest of Bengaluru Football Club and as the logo for the Bangalore International Film Festival.</p>.<p>This iconic symbol continues to linger and resonate in contemporary life, reflecting its enduring cultural significance and presence across various aspects of modern Karnataka.</p>
<p>Various regions of Karnataka were once governed by different kings and dynasties, each of which had its own unique royal emblem. These emblems were prominently displayed on coins, flags and monuments, serving as enduring symbols of their rule. Such emblems hold great significance in shaping national and dynastic identities, representing authority, cultural heritage and traditions.</p>.<p>The Kadambas, one of the earliest Kannada-speaking dynasties of Karnataka (4th to 6th centuries CE), ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan region from their capital at Banavasi, located in present-day Uttara Kannada district. Founded by Mayurasharma around 345 CE, the dynasty adopted the lion as their emblem — a symbol of strength, courage, and sovereignty. This emblem served as a representation of their royal authority and cultural identity, reflecting their aspirations to assert dominance and command respect.</p>.<p>The lion emblem of the Kadambas was prominently featured on their coins, inscriptions and architectural elements, symbolising their contributions to the region’s political and cultural heritage. It stands as a historical testament to their legacy as pioneers of independent rule in Karnataka, fostering significant advancements in art, literature and architecture.</p>.<p>The Western Ganga dynasty ruled ancient Karnataka from about 350 to 999 CE. The elephant was adopted as their emblem. The dynasty’s coinage featured an elephant on the obverse and floral scrollwork on the reverse. The coins also included a variety of other symbols, such as a royal umbrella or conch shell above the elephant.</p>.<p><strong>The eagle emerges</strong></p>.<p>The Rashtrakutas (6th to 10th centuries CE), were known for their contributions to politics, culture and art. Amoghavarsha I, one of their renowned rulers, governed from Manyakheta (modern-day Malkhed in Sedam taluk of Kalaburagi district). The Rashtrakutas adopted the golden eagle, or garuda, as their emblem, symbolising power, authority and divine protection. In Hindu mythology, Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu, represents courage and speed. This emblem reflected the dynasty’s imperial aspirations and its role as the ‘upholdersof dharma’. It was prominently featured in their inscriptions, coins and art, underscoring their sovereignty and cultural connection to Hindu traditions.</p>.<p><strong>A kingdom’s crest</strong></p>.<p>The Chennakeshava temple in Belur, Hassan district, offers a fine example of the royal emblem or insignia of the Hoysala dynasty. One of the first features to capture the attention of beholders is the Hoysala crest — a depiction of a young warrior slaying a tiger.</p>.<p>According to the legend, a seer and his disciple, Sala, were attacked by a tiger during a ritual. The guru commanded, “Hoy Sala!” (Strike, Sala!), and Sala killed the tiger with a single blow. Pleased with his bravery, the guru encouraged Sala to establish a kingdom, leading to the foundation of the Hoysala dynasty. This legendary event was immortalised as the dynasty’s royal emblem.</p>.<p>S Settar, historian and scholar of south Indian history, in his book ‘Hoysala Sculpture in Karnataka’, writes, “The tiger-slaying emblem of the Hoysalas is not merely a tale of bravery but a symbolic representation of their triumph over the Cholas, marking their rise to power and prominence.” </p>.<p><strong>The symbol of the boar</strong></p>.<p>The earliest Chalukyan dynasty, known as the Badami Chalukyas, ruled from Vatapi (known commonly as Badami), starting from the mid-6th century CE. Pulakeshin I, the first independent ruler of this dynasty, established his reign in Badami, located in present-day Bagalkot district.</p>.<p>The royal emblem of the Chalukyas of Badami was the boar, or varaha, a symbol deeply embedded in Indian mythology and culture. Associated with strength, valour, and divine protection, the boar is linked to the legend of Vishnu’s varaha avatar, which restored balance by rescuing the earth from chaos. This emblem embodied the Chalukyas’ ideals of power, resilience and their role as guardians of their kingdom and its people.</p>.<p>Historian K A Nilakanta Sastri noted in his work, ‘A History of South India’, “The boar, or varaha, as the royal emblem of the Chalukyas of Badami, was not merely a symbol of their might but also a reflection of their adherence to the cultural and religious ethos of the time, drawing upon the divine attributes of Vishnu’s incarnation as a saviour and protector.”</p>.<p>The varaha also served as the state emblem of the Vijayanagara kingdom and was central to the royal insignia of its rulers. This emblem featured four key elements: The sun, moon, a dagger, and a wild boar. This emblem is prominently displayed on structures built under Vijayanagara patronage, including base mouldings of pavilions, gateways and Vijayanagara-era coinage, highlighting its enduring cultural and political significance.</p>.<p>The historian Robert Sewell, known for his work on Vijayanagara history, in his seminal book ‘A forgotten empire: Vijayanagar’, writes: “The emblem of the boar, the sacred Varaha, symbolised not only the Vaishnava faith but also the divine sanction of power that the Vijayanagara rulers sought to convey through their art and architecture.”</p>.<p><strong>The tiger</strong></p>.<p>Tipu Sultan adopted the tiger as his personal symbol, and upon ascending to the throne in 1782, he made it the official emblem of the kingdom of Mysore. The tiger’s head became his armorial bearing, and the word sher (tiger) or its initial appeared on every item he used — whether stamped, embroidered or engraved. Renowned as ‘the Tiger of Mysore’, Tipu’s identity was deeply intertwined with the tiger. Even the stripes on his clothing, the upholstery of his throne, and the cushions in his chambers echoed the distinctive markings of the tiger. His throne, designed with eight corners and topped by eight tiger heads, was crafted to resemble the back of a tiger, with a large golden tiger’s head projected at the front.</p>.<p>The gandaberunda, a two-headed bird from Hindu mythology, is one of the most recognisable symbols, believed to possess immense magical strength. Typically depicted clutching elephants in its talons and beak, the bird symbolises extraordinary power. </p>.<p>There are several variations of this emblem. One of the earliest representations of the gandaberunda can be found carved in the Chennakeshava temple of Belur, dating back to 1113 CE. A roof sculpture featuring the gandaberunda is also located on the Rameshwara Temple in Keladi, Shivamogga district. The symbol was adopted by the Wadiyar dynasty as their royal emblem. Additionally, notable examples of gandaberunda can be seen in the Mysuru Palace and the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel in Mysuru.The gandaberunda has been embraced as the official state symbol of Karnataka. It is also featured in the logo of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.</p>.<p>In recent years, it has also appeared in the crest of Bengaluru Football Club and as the logo for the Bangalore International Film Festival.</p>.<p>This iconic symbol continues to linger and resonate in contemporary life, reflecting its enduring cultural significance and presence across various aspects of modern Karnataka.</p>
