Coins

The present province of Mysore long formed part of the empire of Vijayanagar and the origin of the Mysore Rajas is traced to the heroes of a chivalrous exploit. Vijaya and Krishna two young Kshatriyas of Yadava descent who according to tradition had left Dvaraka in Gujarat with the view of establishing themselves in the south on arriving at Hadi-nad or Hada-nad a few miles south-east of the present city of Mysore learned that the chief of the place had wandered away in a state of mental derangement and that the neighbouring chief of Karugahalli who was of inferior caste taking advantage of the defenceless condition of the family had demanded the only daughter of the house in marriage. To this a consent had been given under compulsion and arrangements unwillingly made for the ceremony. The two brothers espoused the cause of the distressed maiden and having secreted themselves with some followers fell upon the chief and his retinue while seated at a banquet and slew them. Marching at once on Karugahalli they surprised it and returned in triumph to Hadanad. The girl become the willing bride of Vijaya who took the title of Odeyar or Wodeyar (“lord”) and assumed the government of-Hananad and Karugahalli adopting at the same time the religion of the Jangamas or Lingavantas.