To a superficial observer it may appear as though India is a land mass occupied by diverse social, religious and linguistic groups putting on a mantle of political unity.  But a careful study of its present day institutions reveals that they are built on the solid foundation of a rich and ancient culture evolved over a period of at least five thousand years.  Different shades of Indian culture represented by different linguistic groups, big or small, are often mistaken for heterogeneous cultures.  It is only a careful study in depth of the religious and social institutions by scholars devoted to historical research that can bring to surface the underlying unity and richness of India’s culture.

The tract of land on the west coast peninsular India comprising the modern districts of South Kanara, Udupi and the coastal belts of North Kanara historically famed as TULUNAD – the land of the Tuluvas. The bewildering variety and amazing richness of cultural distinctions, both singular and synchronistic, have been so over-whelming that an over-all picture of this culture based on political, socio-economic, religious and philosophical foundations needs to be studied in detail.

Tulunad – where different religions, cultures, casts and communities live harmoniously maintaining their individual identity, yet for an outsider it appears to be one big social group. Where else we can find such “unity in diversity”. Reputed educational institutions, five large nationalized banks, seaport, airport, road and rail network are all the proud possessions of Tulunad.

Tuluvas are known for their communal harmony, broad mindedness, high literacy level, entrepreneurial ability, dedication, hard work, loyalty and professionalism in all fields. This is the meeting point for all of us. Exchange our views and ideas, get closer, understand better and let us build a stronger Tulunad on the foundation we already have for more than FIVE THOUSAND YEARS.

A Brief History of Tulunad

Various Historians, Intellectuals and writers including from the western countries have written much about the history of Tulunad. Some of them have referred way back to the era of Puranas taking the references from the great epics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha to support their opinions and arguments.

It is impossible to give in this site all those matters written in volumes. However, we will try our best to give some brief ideas picking up from some of the recognized books published earlier.  Hence, we do not accept any responsibility about the authenticity of the subject matter given here below.

One among such well respected writers is Nandalike Ammunjeguthu Sheenappa Hegde Polali.  Born on 8^th August, 1890 at Nandalike Chavadi Mane and died on 3^rd September 1966 in Mangalore.

A brief introduction of his literary works and achievements will be published very shortly together with the introduction of other past and present bunt scholars.

We have picked up some excerpts from his book PRAACHINA TULUNAD published in Kannada way back in 1930s. Translation may not give the exact meaning and beauty of the original article. We hope, our readers will understand this and pardon us for such unintentional lapses from our part.

 JAIN BUNT BALLALS

Jains of Shanthara dynansty came from Mysore area to Tulunad in the 12^th Century and got married to the ladies of Tulunad Aluva Kings. Their offsprings, Jain Bunts became Ballals and ruled Tulunad till 18^th Century.

The households of such rulers are given below:

1	Ullal Chowta	2	Sural Tholahara
3	Bangadi Banga	4	Bailangadi Moola
5	Kolatharasu	6	Neeleshwaradarasu
7	Vitla Domba Heggade	8	Kumbale Arasu
9	Karkal Bhairarasu	10	Yenur Ajila
11	Mulki Samantharasu	12	Panapila Konnararasu
13	Hosangadi Binnanarasu	14	Viliya Ainadarasu
15	Honnaya Kambali Arasu	16	Madya Kinnari Arasu
17	Pejavara Ballal	18	Bsailu Ballal
19	Panambur Mudda Heggade	20	Koolur Dore Ballal
21	Porala Madarasu Manel Ballal	22	Arkula Beedu
23	Vamanjur Ballal	24	Kulashekar Ballal
25	Atthavara Ballal	26	Bajal Ballal
27	Invalli Ballal	28	Ira Ballal
29	Sajipa Ballal	30	Balthila Ballal
31	Perodi Ballal	32	Nanadribettu Ballal
33	Paddayur Ballal	34	Ijjatthottu Ballal
35	Irvatthur Ballal	36	Kaudaadi Ballal
37	Raayi Ballal	38	Varkaadi Ballal
39	Manjeshwara Ballal	40	Paivalike Ballal
41	Adka Heggade, Thenkumbale	42	Parmale Ballal
43	Panja Ballal	44	Yenmoor Ballal
45	Amara Sulya Ballal	46	Bellare Ballal
47	Kadaba Ballal	48	Mardhaala Ballal
49	Injaadi Ballal	50	Kombaaru Ballal
51	Renjaladi Ballal	52	Nelyaadi Ballal
53	Neranki chavadi Heggade	54	Puthur Heggade
55	Madaka Heggade	56	Bandaadi Ballal
57	Uliya Ballal	58	Kuduma Nelyaadi Beedu Dharmasthala Heggade
59	Kaliya Ballal	60	Paddayoor Ballal
61	Ballamanja ballal	62	Valalu Ballal
63	Malavanthige Ballal	64	Yelunaada Ballal
65	Mudraadi Heggade	66	Hebri Ballal
67	Thingale Chaavadi Heggade	68	Nandalike Chaavadi Heggade
69	Kaanthaavara Heggade	70	Putthige Ballal
71	Mundkoor Ballal	72	Mijaru Ballal
73	Peradi Ballal	74	Irvathur Paika Ballal
75	Padubidri Kinnakka Ballal	76	Yermal Maramma Heggade
77	Kaup Marda Heggade	78	Katpadi Dore Ballal
79	Udyavara Ballal	80	Chitpadi Ballal
81	Nidambur Ballal	82	Vandar Heggade
83	Balisavira Heggade	84	Yerdanadu Heggade
85	Anjaru Kurla Heggade	86	Kananjaaru Nayara Heggade
87	Paddama Aala Heggade	88	Bommarbettu Heggade
89	Athraadi Heggade	90	Yellur Kunda Heggade

CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINGS RULED TULUNAD

Tulunad was ruled by the family of ALUVA’s . They ruled the area together in the name of ALUVA Kings. As recorded by  the historians following kings ruled Tulunad since 570 AD.

#	From AD	To  AD	Name of the Rulers
1	570	600	Shree Maaramma Alvarasu
2	601	625	Shreemathi Alvarasathi
3	626	650	Shree Kundavarma Alvarasu
4	651	675	Shree Gunasagara Alvarasu
5	676	710	Chithravahana Alvarasu
6	711	720	Gunasagara Alvarasu
7	721	730	Shwethavahana Alvarasu
8	731	750	Prathvisagara Alvarasu
9	751	770	Vijayadhithya Alvarasu
10	920		Queen Anjalidevi married to Bagi Chavuta of Shanthara JainaChutu family and he ruled the Kingdom.
11	940	985	2nd Kundavarma Alvarasu
12	986	1010	Shreemathi Akkadevi Alvarasathi
13	1011	1050	Shreemathi Parameshwari Akkadevi
14	1051	1095	Shree Bainkideva Alvarasu
15	1096	1112	Shreemathi Ammadeva Alvarasathi
16	1113	1155	Shree Bhujabalakavi Alvarasu
17	1156	1170	Shree Jagadeka Alvarasu
18	1171	1215	2nd Bhujabala Alvarasu
19	1216	1236	Noormadi Chakravarthi
20	1237	1254	Vibhudavasu in Basrur
21	1255	1277	Veerapandi or Kethupandi in Barkur
22	1278	1300	Nagadeva Alvarasu in Barkur
23	1301	1315	Bankideva Alvarasu in Mangalore
24	1316	1325	Soyideva Alvarasu
25	1326	1345	Veerakulashekara Deva Alvarasu
26	1349	1380	Veerapandi Deva Alvarasu
27	1381	1399	Queen Nagamma Alvarasu (At this time Tuluva Narasimharaya ruled occupying the thrown of Vijayanagr.
28	1478	1493	Tulunad came under Vijayanagar Dynasty)
29	1496	1509	Veera Narasimharaya
30	1510	1530	Krishnadevaraya ruled both Andhra & Karnataka.

After the demise of Krishinadevaraya, his son came to the thrown which was against the matriarchal system of Tuluvas. Hence, his nephew Ramaraya came to the thrown and defeated one by one the Sultans of Bahamani kingdom. After that all Muslim kings joined together and fought a decisive war against Vijayanagar Kingdom in January 1565 in which Hindu Kings lost and Tuluva ruling ended there.

Krishnadevaraya was from Salinnaya gothra, a gothra of Tuluvas. People from Shirva Kodumane, Shirva Savira Hobali Mane, Nandalike Chavadi Mane, Thalapadi Mane and Bellippadi Mane are all from the same Salinnaya gothra who are still in Tulunad.

Note: The above details are collected from “PRACHINA TULUNAD”(Ancient Tulunad) book written by Nandalike Ammunjeguthtu Sheenappa Hegde Polali