Answer:
The majority of the people in South India speak at least one of the four major Dravidian languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Some states and union territories also recognize a minority language: such as Urdu in Telangana, French in Puducherry, and Bengali in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Tulu is the next most spoken Dravidian language. The Tulu speakers are mostly concentrated in Dakshina Kannada (48%) and in some parts of Udupi District (31%) of Karnataka, along with a portion of the Kasaragod District of Kerala. Besides these languages, English is used by both the central and state governments for official communications and is used on all public signboards.
During its history, a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India; and the Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent across southern and southeastern Asia impacted the history and culture in those regions. Major dynasties established in South India include the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Madurai, Bahmani, Deccan Sultanates, Kadambas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, Maratha Empire, and Mysore. European invaders entered India through Kerala. South India was colonized under Portuguese India and the British Raj. The Hyderabad State ruled by the Nizams was the last princely state of India.