Era Krishnappa Nayak was the king of Belur.[1] He reigned from 1524 to 1566.[2] He ruled Hassan and Kodagu region.[3]
Era Krishnappa Nayaka belonged to the Telugu-speaking Balija caste.[4] He was the son of Pottappa Nayaka, his grand father Timmappa Nayak and great-grandfather of Giriyappa Nayak. His brother Surappa Nayaka, ruled gingee region.[5]
Service under Sri Krishna Deva Raya
He served as the Tambula Karandavahin (lit.'betel-bearer') to Krishnadevaraya.[6] Era Krishappa Nayak was then succeeded by his son Venkatadri Nayaka.[7]
M.M.Kalburgi, ed. (1994). Karnatakada Kaifiyattugalu (in Kannada). Kannada University , Hampi. p.118.
Noboru Karashima, ed. (1999). Kingship in Indian History. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p.192. ISBN9788173043260. To understand the historical process of the reducing of the Nayakas as an open status group into a mere shell of what they had formerly been and the growth of respective caste identities, the Telugu Balija caste and its history may give an important clue. Many Nayakas, including the three major Nayakas in the Tamil area and the Nayakas of Cannapattana, Beluru, and Rayadurga in the Kannada area, are said to have been Telugu Balijas.
↑Ramanujapuram Narasimhachar, ed. (1919). The Kesava Temple at Belur. Mysore government Press. p.2. Some time after the destruction by the Muhummadans of Dorasamudra or Halebid, the celebrated Hoysala capital situated about 10 miles to the east of Belur, the latter continued as the capital of the Belur kingdom which was conferred by the Vijayanagar king Krishna Deva Raya ( 1509-1529 ) on Era Krishnappa Nayaka, the bearer of his hadapa or betel-bag, whose successors ruled over the principality for nearly two centuries
