Bankapura fort (454 CE), was ruled by Kadamba of Banavasi, Gangas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Emperors of Vijayanagara, Turko-Persian Adilshahis of Bijapur, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

In the 16th century, the Turko-Persian Bahmanis invaded Bankapura and Mustapha Khan of Bijapur annexed the fortress after a pitched battle for more than a year.

It is known from history that the great poet of Kannada literature, Ranna, visited Bankapura to meet Ajithsenacharya, who became his teacher.

[2] Inside the ruined Bankapura fort, conquered by the Turko-PersianBahamanis, there is a temple built by the Chalukyas known as Aravattaru Kambada Gudi.

[citation needed] The impressive Bankapur fort area has the eye catching 66 pillared Nagareshwar temple (locals call it as Aravattu Kambada Gudi - means 60 pillars temple in Kannada) was built (in a depression to conceal it from invaders) in the 11th century in Chalukya style (in a depression).

The fort area comprises 139.10 acres (0.5629 km2) of land of, which 52.10-acre (210,800 m2) is reserved for the popularly known Mayura Vana, the abode of the peacocks for three decades.