Western Ganga was an important ruling dynasty of ancient
Karnataka in India which lasted from about 350 to 1000 AD. They are known as 'Western Gangas' to distinguish them from the
Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over
Kalinga (modern
Odisha). The general belief is that the Western Gangas began their rule during a time when multiple native clans asserted their freedom due to the weakening of the
Pallava empire in
South India, a geo-political event sometimes attributed to the southern conquests of
Samudra Gupta. The Western Ganga sovereignty lasted from about 350 to 550 AD, initially ruling from
Kolar and later, moving their capital to
Talakadu on the banks of the
Kaveri River in modern
Mysore district.