The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c14.95

v1.c14.95

The most famous among the Yelahanka Lords was Kempe Gowda I, son of Kempanacheya Gowda according to an inscription near his statue in the Sivaganga temple. He commenced his rule in 1513. He had been favoured by Krishna Deva Raya, from whom he received the villages of Ballapura, Devanahalli and Hoskote ⁶. But his successful career began during the reign of Achyuta Deva Raya in 1537, when Kempe Gowda founded Bangalore in the place of the old village of Sivanasamudram by erecting a mud fort 1. The Emperor appreciated the enterprise of the Yelahanka chief, summoned him to his court, and granted him the enjoyment of twelve hoblies or groups of villages, yielding a revenue of 30,000 pagodas. On returning to his estate he beautified the new city and made it his capital. He built in it the Vishnu and several other temples, and endowed them with grants of villages, lands and agraharas for their perpetual worship.