[1][2] The dynasty traces its patrilineal ancestry to Tuluva Narasa Nayaka belongs to the Yadava lineage of Chandravamsa Kshatriya, a powerful warlord from the westerly Tulu speaking region.
[3] Narasimha Nayaka later assumed the Vijayangara throne as Viranarasimha Raya bringing the Tuluva dynasty to prominence.
[3] The dynasty was at its zenith during the rule of Krishnadevaraya, the second son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka.
[3] The powerful warlord Tuluva Narasa Nayaka is attributed with the conquest of the Gajapatis as well as certain Muslim rulers.
[3] Krishnadevaraya is known to have patronised poets and issued inscriptions in languages as varied as Tamil, Kannada and Telugu.