Hiriya Kempe Gowda

Hiriya Kempe Gowda, a notable figure from Yelahanka, Bangalore, hailed from the Morasu Vokkaliga community, which has roots in the Vijayanagara Empire’s vassals. His family had ruled Yelahanka for over 70 years. While there is some debate about the exact origins of the Morasu Vokkaligas, sources suggest they were originally migrants, possibly Telugu-speaking, who settled in the Morasu-nadu area in the 14th century. Others believe they were a Kannada-speaking group or even Tamil speakers who moved from Kanchi to Karnataka in the 15th century to serve the Vijayanagara armies.

Kempe Gowda was educated in a traditional gurukula near Hesaraghatta, where he demonstrated leadership abilities from a young age. He eventually took over the chieftaincy of Yalahanka Nadu from his father in 1513, ruling for an impressive 46 years. He is regarded as the most prominent of the Yelahanka rulers, continuing the legacy of his forefathers in the Avati Nadu dynasty, with his lineage tracing back to Rana Bhairave Gowda and Jaya Gowda.