Inscriptions in the region indicate the reign of Mahavalis (Baanaas), Kadambas, Chalukyas, Pallava, Vaidumbaas, Rastrakutas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Mysore kings. In 1791, Lord Cornwallis conquered Kolar in 1791, returning it again to Mysore in the Treaty of Seringapatam the following year. Ruled by the British from 1768 to 1770, it passed again to the Marathas and then to Hyder Ali. Kolar was then ruled by the Marathas, the Nawab of Cuddapah, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and Hyder Ali. In 1720, Kolar became part of the province of Sira Fath Muhammad, the father of Hyder Ali, was faujdar of the province. During the 17th century, Kolar came under Maratha rule as part of the jagir of Shahaji for fifty years before it was ruled by the Muslims for seventy years. Vijaynagar rule of Kolar lasted from 1336 to 1664.

Lewis Rice, names and events have been confused. Chola inscriptions have been neglected and vandalised. Many Siva temples were built in Kolar under the Cholas, such as the Someshwarar and Sri Uddhandeshwari Temples in the village of Marikuppam, the Eswaran Temple in Oorugaumpet, and the Sivan Temple in the village of Madivala. Inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I appear on the Kolaramma temple. Chola inscriptions indicate the rule of Adithya Chola I (871–907), Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I of Kolar, referring to Kolar as 'Nikarili Cholamandalam' and 'Jayam Konda Chola Manadalam'. The Chola rulers Veera Chola, Vikrama Chola and Raja Nagendra Chola built stone structures with inscriptions at Avani, Mulbagal, and Sitti Bettta. Under Chola rule, King Uththama Chola is said to have built the temple to Renuka.

Around the 13th century, the sage Pavananthi Munivar wrote Nannool about Tamil grammar at the Ulagamadhi cave. The Western Gangas made Kolar their capital and ruled Mysore, Coimbatore, Salem. Vira Someshwara divided the empire between his two sons in 1254, and Kolar was given to Ramanatha. Around 1117, the Hoysalas (under Vishnuvardhana) captured Talakadu and Kolar and drove the Cholas from the Kingdom of Mysore. Following their usual naming system, the Cholas called the district Nikarilichola-mandala. From Talakadu, the Western Gangas ruled Gangavadi (the southern home of the Kannada people). For as long as they were in power (nearly 1,000 years) they used the title 'Kuvalala-Puravareshwara' (Lord of Kolar), even after they moved their capital to Talakadu. The Jain Western Gangas Dynasty founded Kolar in the second century CE. Goodwill's studies were published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society and elsewhere. The history of the Kolar Gold Fields was compiled by Fred Goodwill, superintendent of the Police, Maldives and Kolar Gold Fields.

Kolar gold fields