Kumara Krishnappa Nayak

Kumara Krishnappa Nayak (died 3 December 1572) was the ruler of the Madurai Nayak dynasty from 1564 until his death in 1572. He was the successor of Vishwanatha Nayak. He started ruling the country after his father's death in 1564. He made Tiruchirapalli as his capital.

Military career Under Kumara Krishnappa Nayak's rule, the Madurai Nayak dynasty expanded. Most of the ancient Pandyan territories came under the Nayaks under his rule.

Rebellion of Tumbichchi Nayaka Tumbichchi Nayaka the chief of tottiyars lead a rebellion against Krishnappa Nayaka's authority and devastated the country. Krishnappa Nayaka entrusted the army to his general Pedda Kesavappa Nayaka to quell the rebellion. Kesavappa nayaka failed to subjugate the rebellion he was defeated and killed in the battle with Tumbichchi Nayaka.

Invasion of Ceylon Kandy Ruler Jayavira Bandara friend of Tumbichchi Nayaka Provoked to remit tribute and took over arms against Krishnappa Nayaka. Outraged at this Krishnappa called the services of his fifty two polygars with their troops embarked for Ceylon and landed at Mannar.

Battle of Tallikota In 1565 the Sultan rulers of the Deccan defeated Vijayanagar, the suzerain of the Nayaks, at the battle of Talikota. Vijayanagar had to abandon their capital Vijayanagara and reestablish at Penukonda in Anantapur, then reestablish at Vellore Fort and Chandragiri near Tirupathi, which later granted land to the British East India Company to build a fort at the present day Chennai. Finally they settled at Vellore in North Arcot. Their governors at Madurai, Kalahasti, Gingee and Tanjore still paid them tribute and other marks of respect; but in later years, when their suzerainty became weak, the Nayaks ruled independently.

Succession Krishnappa was succeeded by his two sons Muttu Krishnappa and Muttu Virapppa in 1573.