Nayakas of Keladi were a dynasty based out of Keladi which is locating in present day Shivamogga district of Karnataka. The dynasty was formed in 1499 CE by Chaudappa Nayaka. The Nayakas started off as feudatories to the mighty and glorious Vijayanagara Empire. Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka (1586–1629) is considering by scholars as ablest monarch of the clan. He completelywith freed himself from the overlordship of the relocated Vijayanagar rulers of Penugonda. Italian traveller Pietro Della Valle, who visited his kingdom in 1623, called him an able soldier and administrator. Venkatappa was the most successful Nayaka who extended his kingdom on all sides and drove back the Bijapur forces. He defeated Bhairadevi of Gerusoppa and restricted the Portuguese expansion. To mark the victory against Bhairadevi, he erected a pillar at Hangal. The Keladi state became a power to be reckoning with and the rice and pepper trade of the west passed into the hands of the Nayaks from the Portuguese. Venkatappa is crediting with the construction of a number of forts, temples and the founding of many agraharas (villages granted to learn Brahmanas.