The
Alupa also known as
Alva (4th to 15th centuries) were a royal dynasty who ruled what is now coastal
Karnataka, India. They ruled independently their kingdom known as
Alvakheda since the beginning of the common era.(200 BCE to 450 CE). Later with the dominance of
Kadambas from Banavasi, they became feudatory to them. With the changing political scenario, soon they became the vassals of the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and
Vijayanagara Rayas. Their influence over coastal Karnataka lasted for about 1200 years. There is evidence that the Alupas followed the law of matrilineal inheritance (
Aliyasantana) since the Alupa king Soyideva was succeeded by his nephew Kulasekhara Bankideva (son of Alupa princess Krishnayitayi and
Hoysala Veera Ballala III). The legendary king who is credited with introducing
matrilineality in Tulu Nadu is named Bhuta Alupa Pandya The name Alva survives as a surname even today among
Bunt landlords who are Matrilineal The last Alupa king to have ruled is Kulasekharadeva Alupendradeva whose inscription dated 1444 CE have been found in
Mudabidri