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.
Saluva Timmarusu was the prime minister (mahapradhana) and military commander of Krishnadevaraya. He is also known as "Appaji". He had also served as the prime minister under Viranarasimha Raya and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka.
Pemmasani Kamma Nayaks were a ruling clan in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. They came into prominence during Vijayanagara Empire. After the Battle of Talikota in 1565 AD, the collapse of Vijayanagara Empire led to the emergence of Pemmasani Nayakas in the Rayalaseema region. They belonged to the Kamma social group.
Vira Narasimha Raya became the Emperor of Vijayanagara after the death of his predecessor Narasimha Raya II. He was the older half-brother of Krishnadevaraya.
Rama Deva Raya ascended the throne after a gruesome war in 1617 as the Emperor of Vijaynagara. In 1614 his father, Sriranga II the preceding emperor and his family were murdered by rival factions headed by Jagga Raya, who was one of their kins. Rama Deva himself was smuggled out of the prison by Yachama Naidu, a faithful commander and the viceroy of earlier emperor Venkata II.
Sriranga III was the last ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, who came to power in 1642 following the death of his uncle Venkata III. He was also a great grandson of Aliya Rama Raya.
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.
Venkata III was the grandson of Aliya Rama Raya. Venkata III belonged to a Telugu family. and became the King of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1632 to 1642. His son-in-law Pedda Koneti Nayak was ruler of Penukonda. His brothers-in-law were Damarla Venkatappa Nayaka and Damarla Ayyappa Nayaka, both sons of Damarla Chennapa Nayakadu.
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.
Chamaraja Wodeyar III was fifth raja of the Kingdom of Mysore and the last one to rule as feudal king under the Vijayanagara Empire. He reigned after his father's demise in 1513 until his death in 1553.
The Deccani–Vijayanagar wars were a series of conflicts between the Deccan Sultanates and the Vijayanagar Empire from 1495 to 1678.
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 Battle of Bedagallu was a encounter between Rama Raya and the faction of Salakamraju Tirumala, led by his general Salakaya. After his defeat at the Battle of Juturu Salakaya retreated to Bedagallu, his jagir in the Adavani province. Rama Raya pursued him relentlessly along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. At Bedagallu, Salakaya attempted to resist by offering battle, but he was once again 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 Adoni was a battle between the Vijayanagara forces led by Venkatadri and the Bijapur army under the command of Asad Khan. Asad Khan, dispatched by Ibrahim Adil Shah I to capture the strategic fortress of Adoni initially faced resistance from Venkatadri, who arrived with reinforcements to relieve the fort. However, Asad Khan skillfully maneuvered his troops and launched a surprise dawn attack on Venkatadri’s camp, catching the Vijayanagara army off guard. In the ensuing chaos, Venkatadri was forced to retreat, leaving behind his treasures, family, and elephants in the hands of the Bijapur army. Despite regrouping his troops at daybreak, Venkatadri, concerned for the safety of his family and overwhelmed by Asad Khan’s advantage, refrained from continuing the battle. This defeat compelled Venkatadri to seek peace.
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