The Keladi Nayakas were successors of the Vijayanagara Empire in the coastal and Malnad (hill) districts of Karnataka, India, in the late 16th century.

During this time, the last ruler of the diminished Vijayanagara Empire ruling from Vellore, Shriranga Raya III was defeated by the Bijapur Sultanate and sought refuge with Shivappa.

[3] Having conquered the Kannada coast, he marched down to Kasargod region of modern Kerala and installed a pillar of victory at Nileshvara.

In the south, when he invaded and laid siege to Srirangapatna in modern Mysore district, an epidemic broke out in his army forcing him to withdraw.

[4] Ujjaini peeta was Rajaguru to Keladi dynasty.A religious and tolerant man, Shivappa Nayaka performed padapooja of Jangams and built many Veerashaiva maths and also Vedic sacrifices and rituals and patronised the Hindu Advaita order of Sringeri.

In return for the toll, Ganesh Mallya handed out a receipt with a note new custom station for eighteen coconuts, signature of Ganeshayya Raja of Kumta.

His son and successor Soma Shekhar was murdered by his Brahmins and his grandson Basava was set up on the throne under the regency of his mother.