Ramaraya aravidu

Came from an influential family of Aravid. He was a relative of Maharajahiraja Krishnadevaraya . He distinguished himself in all the major military campaigns during his reign.

After his death, he tried to get the throne, but lost to Acyutadevaraya , but retained his posts at court.

In 1540, having received the support of the Sultan of Bijapur , he rebelled, capturing the ruler and becoming the de facto ruler of the empire. In 1542, he made Sadashivarayu a formal ruler. Gradually he put loyal people to key positions in the state. At the same time, he began to more often invite Muslims to military service.

In 1543, Ramaraya entered into an alliance with Ahmednagar and Golconda against Bijapur and Bidar . In 1549, Ramaraya together with his allies defeated the other sultanates, capturing the important fortress of Kalyan . In 1551 he secured the Raichur Valley for the empire. In 1557, Ramaraya entered into an alliance with Bijapur and Bidar against Ahmednagar and Golkonda. In 1558, the troops of Vijayanagar devastated the Ahmednagar Sultanate.

As a result, the actions of Ramaraya restored all the neighboring sultans against him. At first, in 1564, the sights of the Golkonda and Ahmednagar attacked the Vijayanagar possessions, but their troops suffered a heavy defeat. Then they were joined by the sultans of Bijapur and Bidar. The decisive battle took place on January 23, 1565 at Talikot (Rakshas-Tagda). At first, the advantage was on the side of the Vijayanagar. However, at a crucial moment, the Muslims who were in the service of Ramaraya switched to the side of the Sultans, as a result of which the Hindu troops were defeated. Ramaraya was captured where he was executed on the same day.

• Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise History of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).