The Western Ganga dynasty ruled the region encompassing the southern districts of present-day Karnataka between 350 CE and 1000 CE. Not much is known of their early history, except that they were based in Talakadu. The most authoritative work on the dynasty is a book by historian M V Krishnarao, Gangas of Talakad, published in 1936.

According to this book, the Western Gangas emerged as a powerful force after the collapse of the Satavahanas, the first empire-builders of the Deccan. Krishnarao believed that they may have been a branch of the Ikshvakus of Nagarjunakonda, a dynasty which had collapsed by 345 CE, only five years before the Western Gangas emerged. Meanwhile, according to lore, two Ikshvaku princes, Didiga and Madhava, met a Jain Acharya, Simhanandi, who is said to have blessed them with a kingdom.

It is hard to tell whether or not this story is true but it is easy to read between the lines. The legend suggests that the dynasty was established with the support of the local Jain population, and it is no wonder that the rulers, although Hindu, were great patrons of Jainism in the region.