<P> The empire went into a slow decline regionally, although trade with the Portuguese continued, and the British were given a land grant for the establishment of Madras . Tirumala Deva Raya was succeeded by his son Sriranga I later followed by Venkata II who was the last great king of Vijayanagara empire, made his capital Chandragiri and Vellore, repulsed the invasion of the Deccan Sultanates and saved Penukonda from being captured . </P> <P> His successor Rama Deva Raya took power and ruled until 1632, after whose death Venkata III became king and ruled for about ten years . The empire was finally conquered by the Sultanates of Bijapur and Golkonda . The largest feudatories of the Vijayanagar empire--the Nayaks of Gandikota, the Mysore Kingdom, Keladi Nayaka, Nayaks of Madurai, Nayaks of Tanjore, Nayakas of Chitradurga and Nayak Kingdom of Gingee palegars of gummanayakanapalya--declared independence and went on to have a significant impact on the history of South India in the coming centuries . These Nayaka kingdoms lasted into the 18th century while the Mysore Kingdom remained a princely state until Indian Independence in 1947 although they came under the British Raj in 1799 after the death of Tipu Sultan . </P> <P> Vijayangara empire had established military and administrative governors called Nayakas to rule in the various territories of the empire . After the demise of the Vijayanagara empire, the local governors declared their independence and started their rule . The Nayak of Madurai, Nayaks of Tanjore, Keladi Nayakas of Shimoga, Nayakas of Chitradurga and Kingdom of Mysore were the most prominent of them . Raghunatha Nayak (1600--1645) was the greatest of the Tanjavur Nayaks . Raghunatha Nayak encouraged trade and permitted a Danish settlement in 1620 at Danesborg at Tarangambadi . This laid the foundation of future European involvement in the affairs of the country . The success of the Dutch inspired the English to seek trade with Thanjavur, which was to lead to far - reaching repercussions . Vijaya Raghava (1631--1675 CE) was the last of the Thanjavur Nayaks . Nayaks reconstructed some of the oldest temples in the country and their contributions can be seen even today . Nayaks expanded the existing temples with large pillared halls, and tall gateway towers was a striking feature in the religious architecture of this period . Kantheerava Narasaraja Wodeyar and Tipu Sultan from the Kingdom of Mysore, Madhakari Nayaka of Chitradurga Nayaka clan and Venkatappa Nayaka of Keladi dynasty are the most famous among the post Vijayanagar rulers from Kannada country . </P> <P> In Madurai, Thirumalai Nayak was the most famous Nayak ruler . He patronised art and architecture creating new structures and expanding the existing landmarks in and around Madurai . His landmark buildings are the Meenakshi Temple Gopurams and Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai . On Thirumalai Nayak's death in 1659 CE, other notable ruler was Rani Mangammal . Shivaji Bhonsle, the great Maratha Ruler, invaded the south, as did Chikka Deva Raya of Mysore and other Muslim Rulers, resulting in chaos and instability and the Madurai Nayak Kingdom collapsed in 1736 following internal strife . </P>

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