under smaller kings (e.g. Pallavas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Kalachuryas and Hoysalas). These smaller rulers had frequent clashes, with the kings, who gave birth to a group or community of warriors who were called BHATARU in Kannada, which means able warriors. In due course, the same community was called as BUNTARU or BUNTS. Even today, "bunta" word is commonly used in Tulu language, particularly in cockfight. The winning cock is called "bunte kori".

Mr. H.A. Stuart, a Historian of South Kanara district has written that like Nairs of Kerala, bunts also, originally belong to the warriors group. As centuries rolled on they became the landlords of their own area. 

"The Kingship Organization of India" a book authored by Dr. Iravathi Karve, reveals that buntaru means warriors and the Naadaavas, residing in the northern part of South Kanara district (from Brahmavar to Baindoor) are also a branch of Bunts community, but instead of Tulu they speak Kannada.

The origin of word "naadava" is derived from the Kannada word "naadu", which means village or native place. As they used to fight for the land or "naadu" they were called as "Naadabunta" and because they were also the administrators of "Naadu", "Naadavaru" word came into practice.

The important point to be noted here is that in ancient Kerala and Tulunaadu, people had a special interest or bent of mind towards military or being a warrior. (In the olden days, service in the army was made compulsory for every able man by the ruling kings.) Likewise, large number of bhataru who served in the armed forces gradually became "Bhantaru". Rest of the community was divided according to their profession such as carpenter, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter etc.

As the kingdoms came to an end, together with it, other smaller kingdoms also became weak and lost their existence. But smaller rulers of Tulunaad such as Bhangas of Bangadi, Chautas of Puthige, Bairarasa of Karkal, Maramma Heggade of Yermal, Tholahas of Sooral, Rajas of Kumble, Kadambas of Kadaba, Saamanthas of Simanthur, Moolas of Bailugadi, Ajilas of Venur, Heggades of Nelyadi, Kundaheggade of Yellur and Marda Heggade of Kavu still remember their political history.