The Chalukya empire disappeared at the end of the twelfth century, and the Chola empire began to weaken in the early thirteenth century.

For the next century, South India was dominated by four kingdoms: the Pandya, Hoysala, Käkatiya, and Yadava in the north.

Minor powers like the Telugu-Chodas of Nellore played roles as auxiliaries to the major powers.

This period was marked by no major changes in polity or society, though industry, trade, and the arts continued to thrive.

Marco Polo, who visited India in 1292-3, provided a vivid account of the prevailing conditions.

Muslim invasions in the Deccan disrupted the four kingdoms, leading to confusion, which was eventually resolved with the rise of the Bähmani and Vijayanagar kingdoms in the fourteenth century.