A Closer Look at Aliya Rama Raya of Vijayanagar

Aliya Rama Raya of the Aravidu family was a prominent statesman in medieval South Indian history. He initially served under Sultan Quli Qutub Shah (r: 1518-1543) of Golconda. In Persian records, Rama Raya is referred to as Ramaraja and Ramraj. His rise to power was documented by an anonymous chronicler of Golconda:

When Quli Qutub Shah invaded Vijayanagar and captured certain districts, he assigned Rama to govern those districts. However, three years later, the armies of Bijapur invaded the area and forced Rama to flee. Rama sought refuge at the court of Quli Qutub Shah, who viewed his flight as an act of cowardice and subsequently dismissed him. Rama then sought employment in Vijayanagar and entered the service of Krishnadeva Raya (r: 1509-1530) of the Tuluva dynasty.

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Rama excelled in his patron's military campaigns to such an extent that Krishnadeva Raya, as a sign of royal favor, bestowed upon him his eldest daughter Tirumalamba (the daughter of Tirumala Devi) in marriage. Rama's younger brother Tirumala, who was also an accomplished commander, was wed to Vengalamba (daughter of Chinna Devi). As the eldest son-in-law of the family, Rama Raya was often referred to as Aliya, meaning son-in-law in the Kannada.

Following Achyuta Raya's reign (successor of Krishnadeva Raya), Vijayanagar fell into chaos when Achyuta's brother-in-law and minister, Salakam Timma Raju, seized power. Rama defeated Salakam's armies and captured several territories including Gutti, Penukonda, Adoni, Gandikota and Kurnool.

He then restored the kingdom to the rightful king Sadashiva Raya (r: 1542-1570), who was the nephew of Achyuta Raya and the last male heir of the Tuluva dynasty. Rama initially acted as regent of Sadashiva, but soon became the defacto ruler of the Vijayanagar empire. According to the Golconda chronicle, "Rama first assumed the office of protector, and subsequently usurped the throne, taking pains to strengthen his power by the reduction of many troublesome neighbors, and the elevation of his own adherents and relatives."


Sadashiva was only the nominal ruler while the whole power of the kingdom was in the hands of Rama Raya and his two brothers, Tirumala and Venkadadri. When Sadashiva came of age, Rama Raya confined him, allowing him to make a public appearance only once a year.

During this period, Rama replaced hostile nobles with his own relatives and supporters in key positions, ensuring that no one else could interfere. With no obstacles in his way, he acquired absolute authority and put himself on the throne. Around 1563, Rama Raya proclaimed himself as the ruler of Vijayanagar, with all the imperial titles.

Caesar Frederick described the trade of the Vijayanagar empire during Rama Raya's reign as follows: Every year, merchandise such as Arabian horses, velvets, damasks, satins, Armoisin from Portugal, and pieces of China, saffron, and scarlets were sent from Goa to Vijayanagar. These goods were exchanged for jewels and pagodas (gold ducats).

Burhan-i-Maasir mentions that Rama was distinguished above all the kings of Vijayanagar for the strength of his army and power, and was puffed up with pride owing to the extent of his dominions, with its sixty sea-ports. His empire stretched approximately 600 leagues in length and generated a revenue of 120,000,000 huns.

Rama Raya constructed temples and ceremonious buildings. Rafiuddin Shirazi noted that there were 70 large canals flowing through the city. Rama's nobles also planted vast gardens, yielding a variety of fruits.

Rama Raya's Treatment of the Muslims

Rama Raya's outlook on religion was broad and liberal. His treatment of Muslims was notable, as he recruited them in large numbers. Ferishta documented that several Afaquis who had been dismissed by Ibrahim Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, found shelter in Rama's kingdom.

Rama Raya treated these refugees well, granting them jagirs and positions according to their rank. In his court, he kept a Quran above the throne so that Muslim nobles could pay their respects upon entering.

A spacious part of the city was specifically provided for them, where they built houses and bazars. As the Afaquis were Turks, this area became known as Turkiwada. Rama Raya also allowed them to build mosques and follow the principles and practices of their religion, including the slaughter of animals.


When Rama's brother and other nobles objected to the slaughter of animals, Rama Raya reminded them that the Turks had come to serve, not to give up their religion. They should not be troubled, so that they may serve sincerely and loyally.

Rama Raya's Relations with the Deccan Sultanates

The conflict between Rama Raya and the Deccan Sultans began in 1542, right after Sadashiva Raya's coronation. The five Deccan sultanates that arose following the decline of the Bahmani kingdom - the Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar, the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, the Qutub Shahis of Golconda, the Barid Shahis of Bidar and the Imad Shahis of Berar - were constantly at war with each other for domination.

Rama Raya was an able administrator and a skillful diplomat. Whenever two sultanates engaged in battle, one would often seek support from Vijayanagar. Rama Raya would step in to assist when called upon. He did not form lasting alliances with any of the Sultans, instead choosing sides based on what was most beneficial for his kingdom at the time.

Rama Raya strategically exploited the rivalries among the Sultans to safeguard his kingdom. The faction aligned with Rama Raya always emerged victorious. In this way, Rama Raya had plundered the territories of all the Sultans. His many victories over his Muslim neighbors likely made him feel unbeatable. It is no wonder that each of them held some animosity towards Rama Raya for real or perceived injustices they believed he had done to them.

Rama Raya's ultimate goal was to elevate his family, the Aravidus, to royal status. According to historian Richard M. Eaton, Rama associated his family with the Chalukya dynasty of Kalyani. For over twenty years, Rama Raya made sure that whichever Sultan he supported also held control over Kalyani.

The Fall of Rama Raya

The Deccan Sultanates grew concerned about Vijayanagar's increasing power. They knew that no single ruler could rival the military strength of Vijayanagar. Eventually, the four Sultans - Ali Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, Ibrahim Qutub Shah, the Sultan of Golconda, Hussein Nizam Shah, the Sultan of Ahmednagar, and Ali Barid Shah, the Sultan of Bidar - decided to set aside their differences and unite against their common foe. The outcome was a fierce battle near the Krishna river, popularly known as the battle of Talikota. The intention of three of them was only to humble the pride of Vijayanagar and reclaim their territories.


The battle of Talikota marked the end of Rama Raya's reign. Captured by the Ahmednagar troops, he was brought before Hussein Nizam Shah who ordered his immediate beheading. Rama was more than 80 years old when he met his death.

Rama Raya's Family

Rama and Tirumalamba had two sons, Krishna and Pedda Timma. Rama Raya also married Appalamba, Kondamma and Lakshmamba. He had two sons, Konda and Timma, with Kondamma, and a son named Sriranga with Lakshmamba.

Venkata Raya III (r: 1630-1642) was the son of Rama Raya's youngest son Sriranga. Sriranga Raya III (r: 1642-1646), the last king of Vijayanagar empire, was a great grandson of Rama Raya.

In Rama Raya's court, the Andhra poet Bhattu Murti flourished and became known by the title Ramaraja-bhushana or 'the jewel of Ramaraja's court.'

Note

In the Bahmani kingdom, the nobility was divided into two social groups. One was the Deccanis (natives) who were immigrant Muslims and had been staying for a long time in the Deccan. The other group was Afaquis (westerners or foreigners or paradesis) who had recently come from Central Asia, Iran and Iraq and had settled in the Deccan.

Reference

Rama Raya (1484–1565): Elite Mobility in a Persianized World By Richard M. Eaton

Rama Raya's Policy By P. Sree Rama Sarma

From Indus to Independence - A Trek Through Indian History (Vol VII) By Sanu Kainikara

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