A dynasty that ruled over the southern Deccan in India between the eleventh and mid-fourteenth centuries. At its peak, the kingdom included territories corresponding to a large part of present-day Karnataka, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Hoysalas were initially feudatories of the Western Chalukya rulers of western and southern India, and began asserting their autonomy as Chalukya rule in the region weakened. They are notable for their patronage of literature, art and architecture. The Hoysala empire enjoyed a period of prosperity until the mid-thirteenth century, when a civil war and invasions by the Khalji sultans considerably weakened its influence in the region. Its territories were integrated into the emerging Vijayanagara empire.