Kadambas was an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka, who ruled from their capital of Banavasi from (345-525AD) later branched into Goa, Hanagal and Chandavar.They were contemporaries of the Ganga dynasty of Talkad.

The dynasty was founded by Mayura Varma in circa 345 AD. Ancestors were said to have migrated from the foothills of the Himalayas. Subjected to some sort of humiliation at the court of the Pallavas, the young Brahmin renounced his hereditary priestly vocation and took to the life of a fierce warrior and battled the Pallavas, who were forced to recognize him as a sovereign, when he crowned himself at Banavasi. One of his successors, Kakusta Varma (circa 435) was such a powerful ruler that even the Guptas cultivated marital relationships. The great poet Kalidasa is said to have visited his court. Tiring of the endless battles and bloodshed, one of the later descendants, King Shivakoti adopted Jainism.

The Kadambas went on to build numerous Jain temples that

Kadambas were the first rulers to use Kannada as the official administrative language, as evidenced by the Halmidi inscription of 450AD. The Adikavi (First known poet of Kannada) Pampa highly spoke of this kingdom in his writings. Following are his famous quotes on Banavasi: Aaramkushamittodam nenevudenna manam banavasi deshamam, (I shall cherish the sweet memories of Banavasi even when tortured), Maridumbiyagi mEN Kogileyagi puttuvudu nandanadol Banavasi deshadol(As a bee or as nightingle should one born here in this beautiful country of Banavasi). The Madhukeshwara (Lord Shiva) temple built by them still exists in Banavasi, the then capital of Kadamba kingdom. Built in 10th century Ad and renovated many times, the temple is a very good piece of art. The stone cot with wonderful fine carvings is one of the main tourist attractions in the temple.

Kadambotsava ("The festival of Kadamba) a festival is celebrated every year by Government of Karnataka in

On May 31, 2005 Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee commissioned India's most advanced and first dedicated military naval base named INS Kadamba after the Kadamba dynasty, in Karwar.

Origin of Kadambas

The Talagunda inscription gives what may be the most possible cause for the emergence of the Kadamba kingdom. The inscription narrates how Mayurasarma proceeded to Kanchi, along with his guru, Virasarma to prosecute his Vedic studies at a Ghatika. There, owing to some misunderstanding between him and a Pallava guard, a quarrel arose in which Mayurasarma was humiliated. In high rage, the Brahmana discontinued his studies, left Kanchi, swearing vengeance on the impudent Pallavas and took to arms. He collected a faithfull group of followers and routed Pallava armies in and around the Banavasi region. After a prolonged periodof what may be termed as low intensity warfare against the Pallavas, he proclaimed independenceover areas inclusive of Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Dharwad, Gadag, Bellary and Raichur districts of present day Karnataka. Though some historians claim that he may have invaded kingdoms to the north near Rajasthan, there are not too many takers for this theory. Most historians believe the Kadambas extended their kingdom to include present day northern Karnataka, Goa and southern parts of present day Maharashtra.

The similarity that exists between the rebellious Mayura Sharma of the Kadambas who created a niche kingdom when sorrounded by powerful enemies and Maratha emperor Shivaji who carved out a independent Hindu kingdom sourrounded by the mighty Mogul empire is not lost to some historians.

The contribution of the Kadambas to the architectural heritage of Karnataka is certainly worthy of recognition. Dr. G. M. Moraes believes that the Kadamba style can be identified and that it has a few things in common with the Chalukyan and the Pallava styles. They also drew from the architectural tradition of the Satavahanas. It has also been pointed out that in architecture and sculpture, the Kadambas contributed to the foundation of the later Chalukya-Hoysala style.

Kadamba inscriptions in Kannada have been deciphered and recorded by historiansof Archeological Survey of India - South Indian Inscriptions, (vol 15,18)