The Vijayanagara Empire was a late medieval Hindu empire that ruled much of southern India. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, belonging to the Yadava clan of Chandravamsa lineage.
Krishnadevaraya was emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529. He was the third monarch of the Tuluva dynasty, and is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. He ruled the largest empire in India after the fall of the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishnadevaraya earned the titles Andhra Bhoja, Karnatakaratna Simhasanadeeshwara, Yavana Rajya Pratistapanacharya, Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana, Gaubrahmana Pratipalaka and Mooru Rayara Ganda. He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula by defeating the sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha, and was one of the most powerful Hindu rulers in India.
Rama Raya was a statesman of the Vijayanagara Empire, the son-in-law of Emperor Krishna Deva Raya and the progenitor of the Aravidu dynasty of Vijayanagara Empire, the fourth and last dynasty of the empire. As a regent, he was the de facto ruler of the empire from 1542 to 1565, although legally the emperor during this period was Sadasiva Raya, who was merely a puppet ruler. Rama Raya was killed at the Battle of Talikota, after which the Vijayanagara Empire got fragmented into several semi-independent principalities paying only nominal allegiance to the empire.
The Battle of Talikota, also known as that of Rakkasagi–Tangadagi, was a watershed battle fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and an alliance of the Deccan sultanates. The battle resulted in the defeat and death of Rama Raya, the de facto ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, which led to the immediate collapse of the Vijayanagara polity and reconfigured South Indian and Deccan politics.
The origin of the Vijayanagara Empire is a controversial topic in South Indian history, with regard to the linguistic affiliation of the founding dynasty, the Sangama family. The Vijayanagara Empire rose to power in southern India in the 14th century CE. Over the past decades historians have expressed differing opinions on whether the empire's founders, Harihara I and Bukka I, were of Kannada people or Telugu origin. There are various opinions about role of the Vidyaranya, the Hindu saint and guru of Harihara I and Bukka I in the founding of the Vijayanagara empire.
Venkatapati Raya was the third Emperor of Vijayanagara from the Aravidu Dynasty. He succeeded his older brother, the Emperor Sriranga Deva Raya as the ruler of Vijayanagara Empire with bases in Penukonda, Chandragiri and Vellore. His reign of nearly three decades saw a revival in the strength and prosperity of the empire. He successfully dealt with the Turko-Persian Deccan sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, the internal disorders, promoting economic revival in the realm. He subdued the rebelling Nayakas of Tamil Nadu and parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu was an army commander of a Vijayanagara military unit. An inscription dated to 1544 CE, which was found in Tallaproddatu, states that Pemmasani Ramalinga enjoyed the nayankara of the village. Phillip B. Wagoner who analysed 17th century Telugu text Rayavachakamu noted that it is not known whether Ramalinga Nayudu served Krishnadeva Raya or some later ruler.
Tirumala Devi was the senior wife and chief empress of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, who is considered to be the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. She was also the most honoured wife of Krishnadevaraya, and the mother of his heir-apparent, Prince Tirumala, who died in his childhood.
Anegundi Raj is an estate in the then Ballari district, British Raj, present in the Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district in the Indian state of Karnataka. After the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire at Chandragiri, the last emperor Sri Ranga III named Rama Raya recovered some part of his ancestral dominion and retained Anegundi, part of Chitaldurgam and part of Harpanahalli as a jagir from the Muslim government.
The Deccani–Vijayanagar wars were a series of conflicts between the Deccan Sultanates and the Vijayanagar Empire from 1495 to 1678.
The Bahmani–Vijayanagar War began with the Siege of Pangal, where Sultan Firuz Shah of the Bahmani Sultanate attempted to capture the fort. They faced setbacks, including a disease outbreak among their ranks, leading to the failure of the siege. In response, Deva Raya I of the Vijayanagara Empire launched a successful counteroffensive, defeating Sultan Firuz Shah in a decisive battle. This victory dealt a significant blow to the Bahmani Sultanate, ultimately leading to Firuz Shah's demise and further weakening of his empire.
The Bahmani–Vijayanagar War of 1443 marked as the last war between the Bahmani Sultanate and the Vijayanagara empire in the peninsular India. It commenced between the Bahmanis under Alauddin Ahmad Shah and the Vijayanagar under Deva Raya II, taking place in present-day Mudgal, Karnataka. During the course of two months, three battles unfolded, with the Vijayanagara forces initially securing victory, followed by two subsequent wins by the Bahmanis. These defeats compelled the Vijayanagara ruler to seek peace, agreeing to pay tribute to the Bahmanis.
The Vijayanagar civil (1542–1543) War was conflict between Rama Raya and Salakamraju Tirumala, when Salakaraju Tirumala usurped the throne by assassinating Venkata I son of Achyuta Deva Raya. In response, Rama Raya proclaimed the imprisoned Sadasiva Raya as the rightful emperor and led a war to install him to power. After defeating Tirumala in several battles, Rama Raya then defeated Salakamraju Chinna Tirumala on the banks of Tungabhadra River killing him. Salakamraju Pedda Tirumala committed suicide In the palace. Rama Raya then entered Vijayanagara and installed Sadasiva Raya as emperor.
The Battle of Komali was a conflict between the faction of Salakamraju Tirumala and the forces of Aliya Rama Raya, led by Pemmasani Erra Timmanayudu. When Tirumala arrived at Gandikota with a large force, he demanded that Erra Timmanayudu surrender Aliya Rama Raya. Refusing to surrender, Timmanayudu, with the support of neighboring palegars, marched out to confront Tirumala. The two sides clashed near Komali, a village west of Tadipatri where Timmanayudu’s forces defeated Tirumala.
The Battle of Betamcharla was a battle between the forces of Aliya Rama Raya and the army of Salakamraju Tirumala, led by Chintagunti Raghupati. Raghupati's forces were defeated and he was pursued into his fortress. Cina Timma Nayaka, a key commander in Rama Raya's army, led a successful siege, capturing the fortress and ultimately razing it to the ground.
The Battle of Juturu was a significant battle between Aliya Rama Raya and the forces of Salakamraju Tirumala, commanded by his general, Salakaya. Determined to block Rama Raya's advance, Salakaya assembled his troops and prepared for battle. Despite his efforts, Salakaya's army was defeated, clearing the way for Rama Raya's continued his march towards Kurnool.
The siege of Adavani was a siege battle between Rama Raya's forces, led by Cina Timma Nayaka, and Salakamraju Tirumala's army under the command of Sanjar Khan. Cina Timma Nayaka launched an assault on the Adoni fort, overcoming its defenses After intense fighting, the Adoni fort was captured, and Sanjar Khan was defeated.
The Battle of the Tungabhadra River marked the last battle of a series of conflicts in the Vijayanagar Civil War (1542-1543) between Salakamraju Tirumala and Rama Raya. This decisive battle ended with the capture of Tirumala, whose forces were outmaneuvered and betrayed by his own captains. Following his capture, Tirumala was executed, bringing an end to his resistance. With the rival faction defeated, the queens of Krishnadevaraya Tirumala Devi and Chinnadevi, joyfully opened the gates of the capital to Rama Raya and his victorious army. Soon after, Rama Raya orchestrated the coronation of Sadasiva Raya as emperor, solidifying his position as the empire's de facto ruler.
The Battle of Kalyani was a confrontation between the Vijayanagara Empire led by the regent Rama Raya and the combined forces of the Sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bidar. led by Burhan Nizam Shah I, Jamsheed Quli Qutub Shah and Ali Barid Shah I The Vijayanagar army inflicted a defeat on the combined Sultanates forces forcing the three Sultans to flee the battlefield.
The Siege of Ahmadnagar was a conflict between the Vijayanagara Empire led by Rama Raya and the Ahmadnagar Sultanate commanded by Burhan Nizam Shah I. After suffering a defeat in the Battle of Kalyani Burhan Nizam Shah retreated to his capital only to be pursued by the Vijayanagara forces. Rama Raya's army laid siege to Ahmednagar overpowering its defenses and capturing the city. Following their victory, the Vijayanagara forces razed the city's fortifications.
Aliya Rama Raya's Faction