Aravidu Venkatadri also known as Venkatadri was the younger brother of Rama Raya. Rama Raya appointed him as the Commander-in-Chief of the Vijayanagara Army trusting him with the defence of the empire. During his service, Venkatadri fought many important battles against the Sultanates of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Bidar, and Golconda. he loyally served throughout Rama Raya's reign. Venkatadri was killed along with his brother Rama Raya in the Battle of Talikota.
Origins Venkatadri was the younger brother of Rama Raya and Tirumala Raya. He was the son of Aravidu Sriranga Raja and his wife Timmamba, and the grandson of Aravidu Rama Raja I. Born into the influential Aravidu family.
Military career After the death of the Vijayanagara emperor Achyuta Deva Raya, Rama Raya and his brothers Tirumala Raya and Venkatadri rose to prominence in the empire.
Political Unrest In Vijayanagara After the death of Achyuta Deva Raya the care of his son Venkata I was entrusted to his uncle, possibly Ranga. Instead of protecting him the uncle imprisoned Venkata I and tried to seize the throne for himself. This act split the nobles of the Vijayanagara court. Rama Raya and his brothers supported the uncle, while the Tirumala brothers stood up for Venkata I’s rightful claim as their sister's son. With the support of many nobles the Tirumala brothers demanded Venkata's release and suggested that two ministers rule the kingdom as regents. The uncle fearing the loss of his authority rejected this proposal.
Bijapur Invasion Political unrest in Vijayanagara grew worse as many nobles unhappy with poor rule withdrew to their own regions and began to act independently. Worried about the safety of her son Venkata I Queen Mother Varadamba sought help from Ibrahim Adil Shah I of Bijapur offering him great wealth. Though Ibrahim claimed he wanted to restore Venkata I his real aim was to capture the kingdom. When his army camped near Vijayanagara the nobles quickly changed sides and placed Achyuta Deva Raya’s brother on the throne to face the common threat. Rama Raya and his commander Hande Hanumappa Nayaka successfully drove back the Bijapur forces, helped in part by a large bribe paid to Ibrahim which finally led to his withdrawal.
Rama Raya's Malabar Campaign While campaigning in Malabar, Rama Raya left an agent in charge of the treasury and the imprisoned prince Venkata I at Vijayanagara. After returning from the successful expedition he faced resistance from a rebel chief near the capital and spent a long time trying to capture the fortress which drained his supplies. When Rama Raya asked his agent for funds the agent was tempted by the wealth under his control and secretly joined hands with the Tirumala brothers. He released Prince Venkata I distributed gold to win over the army and gathered dissatisfied nobles in support of Venkata's claim. On learning of these developments, Rama Raya quickly made peace with his enemy and rushed back to Vijayanagara.
Assassination of Venkata I After the crisis passed Rama Raya withdrew to his estate and waited for a better chance to act. Meanwhile, Salakamraju Tirumala driven by ambition ordered the killing of his own nephew and king, Venkata I and also put to death other relatives of Achyuta Deva Raya. Afraid that the nobles might oppose him Salakamraju Tirumala summoned them to court and cruelly blinded those who arrived first. Shocked by his tyranny the remaining nobles fled to their provinces and later sought the support of Rama Raya and Ibrahim Adil Shah I to overthrow Salakamraju Tirumala and bring an end to his rule.
Vijaynagara Civil War (1542-1543) War Against Salakamraju Tirumala Rama Raya worked to unite support against Salaka Tirumala by sending royal orders to Hande Hanumappa Nayaka, Mesa Peddappa Nayaka, Majjahari Tulasipati, and other jagirdars asking them to gather with their troops. Answering his call, the leaders assembled at Penukonda where Rama Raya spoke about Salakamraju Tirumala's cruel actions and sought their help. He promised rich rewards and titles if they succeeded in defeating him. Mesa Peddappa Nayaka offered to collect information on Salakamraju Tirumala's movements and sent spies to gather details. With this intelligence and the combined strength of the chiefs, Rama Raya rose in rebellion against Salaka Tirumala.
Capture of Forts In Rayalaseema Rama Raya, Tirumala Deva Raya, and Venkatadri joined to rally the nobles and protect the kingdom from falling into chaos. After leaving the capital their support grew steadily as many leaders joined their cause. As they advanced, their forces captured several important forts, including Penukonda, Adoni, Gooty, Gandikota, and Kurnool, which greatly strengthened their position.
Battle of Komali Rama Raya moved towards the Gandikota region where the Pemmasani chief held great influence to gather more troops and strengthen his army. This step, along with the capture of Penukonda directly threatened the authority of Salakamraju Tirumala. Realizing the danger to his rule Tirumala understood that he could not delay any longer. Determined to put down the rebellion and secure his power, he prepared to face Rama Raya and his expanding forces at once.
Even though many nobles deserted him Salakamraju Tirumala was not completely alone. A few loyal supporters remained at his side including Salakaya the son of Mingi Baiyya Nayaka, Chintagunti Raghupati, the Palegar of Betamcherla, and his subordinate Chintagunti Siddaya Hanumayadeva. With the support of these followers Tirumala still had enough confidence and strength to march out and face Rama Raya in battle.
Salakaraju Tirumala marched to Gandikota and demanded that Pemmasani Erra Timmanayudu the ruler of the fort hand over Rama Raya. Timmanayudu refused and instead gathered the forces of nearby palegars and joined Rama Raya. Together they came out of the fort to face Salakamraju Tirumala. The two armies met in battle at Komali a village about six miles west of Tadipatri. After a fierce battle Tirumala's army was defeated and fled while Rama Raya and his allies chased the retreating forces.
Battle of Awaku Rama Raya's army moved north into the province of Kurnool though the exact reason for choosing this route is not clearly known. It is likely that enemy forces holding two strong forts influenced this decision. Heavy fighting took place near Awaku the capital of Rama Raja Tirumala who was Rama Raya’s uncle. This campaign brought Rama Raja Tirumala great praise and he was celebrated for saving the land from the destruction caused by Salakamraju Tirumala.
During this campaign, Rama Raja Tirumala appears to have taken command of his nephew Rama Raya’s army. The move towards Awuku was a careful military choice as the town provided a strong base for attacking Bethamcherla and other important places nearby. One of the prominent commanders in this campaign was Akkaya Cina Timma Nayaka, a cousin of the Gandikota captain who showed great bravery and skill in several battles. His actions made him one of the most active and trusted officers under Rama Raja Tirumala.
Battle of Bhetamcherla As Rama Raya’s army moved forward Salakamraju Tirumala tried to resist by gathering his remaining supporters. One of his allies Chintagunti Raghupati the chief of Bethamcherla attempted to stop the advance but was defeated and driven back into a fortress. Cina Timma Nayaka then led the siege against the stronghold and successfully captured it. After its fall the fort was destroyed.
Battle of Juturu At Juturu Rama Raya once again faced Salakaya Tirumala who had gathered his troops to block the army's advance. A battle followed but Salakaya was defeated and forced to withdraw from the field. Rama Raya continued his march and moved on to Kurnool his ancestral seat.
Battle of Bedagallu Although Salakaya Tirumala was defeated at the Battle of Juturu he was not completely destroyed and withdrew with the remaining troops to Bedagallu his jagir in the Adavani region. Rama Raya followed him along the upper course of the Tungabhadra River. Salakaya gathered his forces near Bedagallu and prepared to defend his territory. A fierce battle took place with both sides fighting bravely but in the end Salakaya's army lost order and fled. Unable to resist Rama Raya any further Salakaya is believed to have withdrawn to Vijayanagara to seek protection from his master.
Siege of Adoni Adoni was the last major stronghold in the region still under the control of Salakamraju Tirumala and served as the main base of his resistance. He placed the fort under the charge of Sanjar Khan a capable Muslim officer who prepared to defend it. Soon, Cina Timma Nayaka the commander of Rama Raya laid siege to the fort and carried out a fierce attack. After heavy fighting Sanjar Khan and his troops were defeated and scattered and Adoni fell to Rama Raya’s forces. The capture of Adoni dealt a final blow to Salakamraju Tirumala's power and established Rama Raya's control over the region.
Battle of Tungabhadra River By the middle of 1543, Rama Raya marched towards Vijayanagara and Salakaraju Tirumala realized that his power and safety were in serious danger. he tried to stop Rama Raya by seeking help from Ibrahim Adil Shah I of Bijapur. To gain the Sultan's support, Tirumala agreed to accept his authority and promised to pay a large sum of three lakhs of hoons for every day the Sultan's army marched.
Salakamraju Tirumala's offer greatly tempted Ibrahim Adil Shah I as it promised both political control and large sums of money. Encouraged by his minister Asad Khan, the Sultan accepted the proposal and marched from his capital toward Vijayanagara without facing any resistance on the way. When he arrived Tirumala warmly received him and personally led him into the city. As a sign of submission Tirumala placed Ibrahim Adil Shah I on the royal throne. He then held a grand festival for several days to honor the Sultan and to strengthen his support against the advancing forces of Rama Raya.
Tirumala's alliance with Ibrahim Adil Shah I alienated the Vijayanagara nobles who still feared the memories of earlier atrocities by the Muhammadans. unable to oppose him openly they chose a careful path of false submission. Letters were sent to Tirumala admitting their fault and promising lifelong loyalty but only if he persuaded his Muhammadan ally to return to Bijapur. At the same time Rama Raya understood the tension growing within the kingdom and sent his own message. He assured Tirumala of lasting loyalty as well, provided that Ibrahim Adil Shah I withdrew back to his own land.
Believing that Rama Raya and the nobles were truly loyal once again Tirumala Raya felt he no longer required the help of his Muslim ally. To keep his promise he paid Ibrahim Adil Shah I a huge sum of fifty lakhs of hoons and also gave him many costly gifts. Pleased with this settlement the Adil Shah turned back toward his own borders and withdrew his entire army.
The withdrawal of Ibrahim Adil Shah I changed the situation completely and sparked open revolt against Tirumala. Rama Raya, along with most of the nobles who had earlier promised loyalty broke their oaths and prepared to march on Vijayanagara to punish Tirumala for his actions. Support for Tirumala quickly faded and even some of his trusted generals began to desert him weakening his army. Tirumala decided to face his enemies in one final battle before his forces fell apart. He gathered whatever troops remained, took personal command and marched to the banks of the Tungabhadra River where he set up his camp.