According to historian Barry Lewis, the earliest chieftains of the kingdom were local chiefs (Dandanayakas) of the Bedar caste[1] under the Hoysala empire, during their rule over what is today Karnataka.

They later won the attention and appreciation of the Vijayanagar kings through their acts of bravery and were appointed as governors of the region.

[2] According to historian Suryanath Kamath, the Chitradurga chiefs under the Vijayanagara empire were originally from the Davangere district in Karnataka.

He fought many pitched battles against the Mughals, and is credited for building many temples including the Ranganatha Swamy at Niratadi, and irrigation tanks.

Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka is said to have made various expeditions to the north and south, and in the latter direction gained some possessions in the Budihal region.

It was during his time that Haider Ali attacked the Chitradurga Fort leading to the heroics of "Onake Obavva".

Later having been betrayed by some local officers, Madakari Nayaka was defeated by Hyder Ali, taken prisoner and killed.