As a community of warriors and cultivators they have historically had notable demographic, political, and economic dominance in Old Mysore (region). It is believed by some historians that the Rashtrakutas were of Vokkaliga origin.The Vokkaligas occupied administrative positions in the Vijaynagar Empire. They had the most families in the ruling classes of the 17th century when the Arasu caste of the Wodeyars was created to exclude them. They were also heavily recruited into the Kingdom of Mysore’s army and militia. They have produced one Indian and seven Karnataka till date. The Vokkaligas formed the landed-gentry and warrior class of Karnataka.