Dondiya started his career as a cavalry soldier in Hyder Ali’ army and grew to the position of military general. He built his own private army and fought along with Tippu Sultan. Due to differences with Tippu, he was imprisoned. The British released him from the prison after the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. He built a small army and started his operations. He organized the army with the unhappy soldiers of Tippu’ army and the feudatory rulers who had lost power. He captured Bidanoor and Shivamogga forts and made unsuccessful attempt to capture Chitradurga fort. Lord Wellesley tried check this rebellion.
An ** was organized on Shivamogga, Honalli, Harihara and other places under the control of Dondiya. Dondiya lost his base. After the capture of Shikaripura, Dondiya ran away towards Gutti, which was under the control of Nizam of Hyderabad. When Nizam’ army attacked Gutti, Dondiya had to run towards the regions of Maratha. The Maratha army attacked him and captured most of his horses, camels and arms. In spite of these, he continued his war fare. When he was caught in between Maratha Army and Nizam’ army, the British attacked him near Yelaparavi and ** him at Konagal.
