The correct answer is: A) Talakad.
The Western Ganga dynasty was a Kannada dynasty that ruled over parts of Karnataka from the 3rd to the 10th centuries CE. Their capital was at Talakad, which is located on the banks of the Kaveri River in the modern-day Hassan district of Karnataka.
The Western Gangas were originally feudatories of the Chalukya dynasty, but they eventually became independent and ruled over a large territory in southern India. They were patrons of art and literature, and their kingdom was known for its prosperity and stability.
The Western Ganga dynasty came to an end in the 10th century CE, when they were overthrown by the Chola dynasty. However, their legacy continues to this day, and they are remembered as one of the most important dynasties in the history of Karnataka.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, which was a later dynasty that ruled over parts of Karnataka.
- Manyakheta was the capital of the Chalukya dynasty, which was a contemporary of the Western Ganga dynasty.
- Malkhed was the capital of the Yadava dynasty, which was a later dynasty that ruled over parts of Karnataka.