The history of Kodagu (Coorg) is full of diversities. Even though it was a very small in area it had its own administrative system not only at the time of merger but also for centuries. There is a mention of Kodagu (Coorg) as early as the second century itself in the Tamil literature. It has been said that the Pandyas Kingdom had been extended up to �Kudukam�. The Pandyas were the rulers of parts of Tamil Nadu, their capital being Madhurai. This Kudukam is nothing but Kodagu (Coorg). The name �Kudumalai� mentioned in Tamil �Shilappadikaram� is about this place only. The western border of Kodagu (Coorg) is just like the bend of a sword, the name Kudumalai is a more appropriate word to mention this place. Many kingdoms have ruled Kodagu (Coorg). It is known from the history that from 2nd century to 6th century the Kadambas ruled the northern part. While the Kadambas were ruling the northern part the �Kiggattunadu� and other southern parts were in the hands of Gangas from 4th century to 11th century. But they did not rule themselves directly but through their representatives �Changalva Arasus�. Changalvas had made �palsare� as their capital. In 11th century there was a war between Cholas and Gangas in which the Gangas were totally defeated and driven out. The Cholas became the sole rulers of the whole of Kodagu (Coorg). Even the Changalvas who fought along with Gangas against the Cholas also lost the war. From then onwards Changalvas became the subordinates of Cholas and ruled the southern parts under the Cholas. Kongalva�s Nayak Manija, who helped Cholas to defeat the Chengalvas, was given the northern part of Somavarpet and some parts of Arakalgud in Hassan district to rule and he was made a �Mandalika� of Cholas. During the times of Raja Raja Chola, there were lot of developments in Kodagu (Coorg). During 12th century the Hoysalas, who were in Belur of Hassan district drove away the Cholas from Kannada area i.e. Kodagu (Coorg) and they took full control of Kodagu (Coorg) But the Chengalvas didn�t accept the rule of Hoyasalas easily. But in the year 1174 AD Hoysala�s commander Bettarasa defeated Chengalvas� Pemma Veerappa in the �Palser� war and made them their subordinates. During this Pemma Veerappa�s time, for the first time we can see the word �Kodagaru� carved on the stone shasanas. At the same time Kongalvars also accepted the rule of Hoysalas. During the 14th century the Muslims, who came from the north defeated the Hoysalas completely and ruined their kingdom. Afterwards Chengalvars made Srirangapattana, which is on the banks of Cauvery as capital and ruled. A little later on they made Periyapattana as their capital. Nanjaraja, who was one of the Chengalvars built a new town and named it as Nanjarajapattana from where he ruled. All these people were ruling under the Vijayanagara Kings. After the fall of Vijayanagara all the chief tans became independent and started ruling from wherever they stayed. The local Nayaks, the Palegars were ruling different parts of Kodagu (Coorg), as there was no co-operation between these different Palegars. Kodagu (Coorg) was never under any ruler. Later on the Haleri Kings defeated everybody and ruled Kodagu (Coorg) from 1600-1834. A Veerashaiva prince Veeraraja belonging to the Bidanoor kings clan came to Kodagu (Coorg) disguising himself as a �Saint� (Jangama) and started living in a place Haleri, 10 kms from Madikeri. All the Kodavas had no contact of the outside world. They were living in superstition and blind beliefs and with lack of wisdoms. The Jangama Veeraraja took control of that situation turning their weaknesses to his advantage and had a great influence on these people. His followers grown in numbers and he built an army of his own. He started defeating other Palegars and one day he announced that he is the �King of Kodagu (Coorg)�. As the small chief tans could not oppose him, they had no other alternative except accepting his rule. Thus for the first time the whole of Kodagu (Coorg) came under one man�s rule. A lady was also one among the Bidanoor kings, who ruled Kodagu (Coorg) (belong to this Haleri Veerashaiva clan) from 17th century AD. After Veeraraja, Appajiraja became powerful and ruled Kodagu (Coorg). Haleri clan kings made Haleri, which is near Madikeri as their capital. The third king of this clan Mudduraja was the first to build a fort, who ruled from 1633-1687. In the year 1681 he started leveling of hills to build a town and made that the capital. He built a fort around the town. The town was named as Muddurajakeri. As the time passed on the same Muddurajakeri became Madikeri. After Mudduraja Siribai Doddaveerappa ruled Kodagu (Coorg) for 49 years. He was a famous ruler, a courageous and honest one. He ruled Kodagu (Coorg) from 1687 to 1736. At the time of Chikkaveera, a weak ruler, Hyder Ali then the ruler of Mysore started encroaching Kodagu (Coorg). In the year 1763 Mysore grabbed some parts of Kodagu (Coorg). Even though Hyder Ali had a fierce fight against Kodagu (Coorg) he was defeated in the year 1766. Mudduraja and Muddaiaharaja came to power at Haleri and Horemale respectively after the death of Chikkaveerappa. Both of them died in the year 1770. During this time there was a difference among Haleri and Horemale rulers and one of them went to Hyder Ali for help. In the year 1773 Hyder Ali defeated the army of Kodagu (Coorg) and made Appaji, the son of Mudduraja as the King of Kodagu (Coorg). In 1776 Lingaraja became the king after the death of Appaji. Amarasulya and Bellora areas came under Hyder�s rule. At the time the death of Lingaraja his children were very young. So Hyder took possession of Kodagu (Coorg) and made Subbanarasaiaha as his representative. But there was uproar against him in 1782 and the prince of Kodagu (Coorg) was transferred to Hassan. At that time Hyder had died and his son Tippu had come to throne. During 1785 he put an end to this mutiny and deputed his army to different parts of Kodagu (Coorg). When there was uproar in the year 1789 Lingaraju son of Veeraraja escaped from the jail of Periyapattana and joined the corgis and became their leader. As there was insurgence in Malbar, Tipu could not take any action against corgis. At the same time Tipu had to fight with British also. Thus Kodagu (Coorg) could keep its independence. In the year 1809 after the death of Veeraraja, his daughter Devammaji became the ruler. But in the year 1811 Veeraraja�s brother Lingaraja took the reins. He built the palace and Omkareshwara temple at Madikeri. In 1820 Lingaraja passed away. Chikkaveeraraja, who ruled Kodagu (Coorg) between 1820-1834, was the last king of Haleri clan. When he came to throne he was only 22-years of age. He was the son of Lingaraja. As he had inherited lot of power, wealth through his ancestors and as he was very young he had a lack of knowledge and wisdom. So he was too much brutal and he terrorized the people. He even supported and encouraged the atrocities committed by the officials on the people and this paid a way for his destruction. A man by name Kuntabasava, who was taking care of his dogs, became his diwan. By this itself we can judge how he ruled his kingdom. The British, who were swallowing one state after another of Hindustan did not spared, leave Kodagu (Coorg) also. Veeraraja surrendered himself to Col. Fraser of the English army. Just pretending that they have taken the permission of the people of Kodagu (Coorg), the British captured Kodagu (Coorg) taking over power and brought it under their control in the year 1834, April 10. From that day Kodagu (Coorg) came under the direct rule of the English. Veeraraja was given a pension and was sent to Varanasi. In 1852 he went to England along with his daughter Gouramma and died there. Gouramma converted herself to Christianity and married an English army officer. When India became independent in 1947, Kodagu (Coorg) also got rid off the rule of English. In 1950 as per the new Constitution Kodagu (Coorg) became a state. In 1956 when there was a state reorganization Kodagu (Coorg) was merged with Karnataka and became a district in Karnataka. It has 3 taluks, Madikeri, Somavarapete and Veerajapete.