Kodagu

A significant number of pre-historic megaliths and a celt (called the Mercara celt) of unknown origins have been found in Kodagu. The most interesting ancient antiquities of Kodagu are the earth redoubts or war trenches (kadanga), which are from 1.5 to 7.5 m high, and provided with a ditch 3 m deep by 2 or 3 m wide. Their linear extent is reckoned at between 500 and 600 m. They are mentioned in inscriptions of the 9th and 10th centuries.

The Tamil Sangam literature (300 BC-300 AD) speak of Kudako (parts of Kodagu, Kerala and Salem) which was to the west of their dominions. Many later day Kannada inscriptions speak of Kudagu nad (parts of Kodagu, Western Mysore and Kerala) as well. Both the name of the natives and of the region are synonymous (Kodava-Kodavu; Kodaga-Kodagu; Coorgs-Coorg).

The Kodavas (Coorgs) were the earliest agriculturists in Kodagu, living in that place for centuries. Nayakas and Palegaras like Chengalvas andKongalvas ruled over them. The early accounts of Kodagu are purely legendary, and it was not till the 9th and 10th centuries that its history became the subject of authentic record. At this period, according to inscriptions, the country was ruled by the Gangas of Talakkadu, under whom the Changalvas (Changanda Kodava), kings of Changa-nad, styled later kings of Nanjarayapatna or Nanjarajapatna, held the east and part of the north of Kodagu, together with the Hunasur taluk in Mysore.

The earliest writings found in Kodagu, inscriptions dated around 800-900 AD, speak of Kadangas (defensive structures made by the Kodavas), the Entu Okkalu (Ettu Okka, eight original parent, later local chieftain, clans), the (now extinct) Kunindora family and give other similar references to the Kodavas. Over centuries several South Indian dynasties, like the Kadambas, the Gangas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Rastrakutas, the Hoysalas,and the Vijaynagar Rayas, ruled over Kodagu.

Kodagu, also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of 4,102 square kilometres (1,584 sq mi) in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least populous of the 30 districts in Karnataka. Kodagu is well known in the world for coffee and its "brave warriors", like Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa. Madikeri (English: Mercara) is the headquarters of Kodagu. The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district to the north, Mysore district to the east, Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and the Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. Kodagu is home to the native speakers of Kodava language. 

According to Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, apart from Kodavas, 18 other ethnic groups speak Kodava Takk in and outside the district including Heggade, Iri, Koyava, Banna, Madivala, Hajama, Kembatti, and Meda. Though the language has no script, recently German linguist Gregg M. Cox developed a new writing system for the language known as the Coorgi-Cox alphabet, used by a number of individuals within Kodagu. Lately, some organizations including the Codava National Council and Kodava Rashtriya Samiti are demanding Kodava homeland status and autonomy to Kodagu district.

History :

The Kodavas were the earliest agriculturists in Kodagu, having lived there for centuries. During this time, South Indian dynasties such as the Kadambas, the Gangas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Rastrakutas, the Hoysalas, the Vijaynagar Rayas and the Wodeyars of Mysore ruled over Kodagu. Despite the Kodavas being known in India as "brave warriors" and members of the Indian warrior caste, Kodagu did not have indigenous rulers for long.

Kodagu district devided into 3 talukas, they are : Madikeri, Somwarper, Virajpet.

Madikeri is a hill station town in Karnataka state, India. Also known as Mercara, it is the headquarters of Kodagu (Also called Coorg) district. It is a popular tourist destination. The history of Madikeri is related to the history of Kodagu. From the 2nd to 6th century AD, the northern part of Kodagu was ruled by Kadambas. The southern part of Kodagu was ruled by Gangas from 4th to 11th century. After defeating the Gangas in the 11th century, Cholas became the rulers of Kodagu. In the 12th century, Cholas lost Kodagu to the Hoysalas. Kodagu fell to the Vijayanagar kings in the 14th century. After their fall, the local chieftains (Palegars) started ruling their areas directly. These were defeated by the Haleri kings who ruled Kodagu from 1600-1834 A.D. Haleri kings made the place Haleri, near Madikeri as their capital. Mudduraja, the third king among the Haleri kings started leveling the land around Madikeri and built a fort in the year 1681. Madikeri fort was original built by mud and was replaced by "The Sword of Mysore", Tipu Sultan. Kodagu became the part of British India after 1834 A.D.

Somwarpet ( somavārapēte, also written Somvarpet) is a panchayat town in Kodagu district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the main town of the Somwarpet taluka, in the north-east of the district. The main crops grown in the area are coffee and spice crops such as cardamom, peppers, oranges, ginger, and other vegetables.

The town of Virajpet also spelled as Virajapete is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. It is the main town of the Virajpet taluka, in the south of the district. The name is an abbreviation of Virarajendrapete after the former ruler of Kodagu, Virarajendra, and this latter form is still sometimes used. It is a small town of importance for the local coffee and spice crops. Nearby towns are Gonikoppal, Ammathi and Ponnampet. Virajpet is around 30 km away from Madikeri, the district headquarter and is about 250 km from Bangalore. The only way to reach Virajpet is by road. Named after the former ruler of Kodagu, Virarajendra, Virajpet is an abbreviation for Virarajendrapete. The history of the destination is rich as it was ruled by various South Indian dynasties. The Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, the Rastrakutas and the Vijaynagar Rayas also ruled the region. After the end of the ruling period, the region was segmented into three major towns namely, Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.