[1][2] The Chowtas had migrated from North India in probably the 12th century due to Islamic conquests.

The Chowtas were Jain kings who had originally migrated to Tulu Nadu (a province consisting of present-day Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, portions of Udupi and Kasargod district in Kerala) from Gujarat in the 12th century.

[3] They initially ruled from their capital at Ullal, which was a very prosperous city and busy centre of trade[3][2] The first known king of the Dynasty was Tirumalaraya Chowta I (1160–1179).

In succeeding years Chowta power had greatly diminished due to invasions by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan with whom they signed treaties and also had to give up most of their territory.

Following the conquest of South Canara by the British the Chowtas lost all their power except that they received a small pension from the then government.