But it was his conflict with the invading forces of Alauddin Khalji, and later those of Muhammad bin Tughluq, the Sultan of Delhi, that would alter the course of history of South India.
In c. 1305, Veera Ballala III successfully fought the invading Yadavas at Holalkere and pushed them back to Lakkundi.
However his focus the rebellious ruler Kampilideva of the Kampili Chiefdom on the banks of the Tungabhadra river and on the affairs in the Tamil country to the south laid open the northern boundaries of his territories to the invasion of Malik Kafur, the commander of the armies of All-ud-din-Khalji.
[2] According to historian John Keay, claims by later writers such as Ferishta that Mallik Kafur even built a mosque in Halebidu to establish his supremacy are legends without historical evidence.
Veera Ballala III refused to pay tribute and withdrew from his earlier pact to support the Delhi Sultanate as a vassal.
By c. 1336 all Hindu kingdoms of south India with the exception of the Hoysala Empire had been defeated and large areas annexed by the Sultanate of Delhi.