(Last Updated on : 06/04/2009)
The Aravidu Dynasty was the fourth and last Hindu dynasty which ruled Vijayanagar Empire
in South India. Its founder was Tirumala, whose brother Rama Raya had been the masterful regent of the last ruler of the previous dynasty. Rama Raya`s death at the Battle of Rakasa-Tangadi (also known as the Battle of Talikota) in 1565 led to the subsequent destruction of Vijayanagar by the combined forces of the Muslim states of Bijapur
The main rulers of the Aravidu dynasty were as follows:
Rama Raya, (1542-1565 CE) commonly known as "Aliya" Rama Raya, was the progenitor of the "Aravidu" dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire.
Tirumala Deva Raya
Tirumala Deva Raya (1565-1572 CE) was perhaps the original Coronated King of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Aravidu Dynasty.
Sriranga Deva Raya I
Sriranga I also known as Sriranga Deva Raya, (1572-1586 CE) was the king of Vijayanagara empire, from 1572-1586. He conceded the restitution of the Vijayanagara empire, but his reign was stained with repeated attacks and loss of territories from his Muslim neighbours.
Sriranga II also known as Sriranga Chika Raya (1614-1614 CE), was nominated in 1614 by King Venkata II to ascend him as king of the Vijayanagara Empire in Southern India.
Rama Deva Raya
Rama Deva Raya, also known as Vira Rama Deva Raya (1617-1632 CE), succeeded the throne following a ghastly war in 1617 as the King of Vijayanagara Empire. In 1614 his father,Sriranga II the preceding King and his family were gruesomely 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 Nayudu, a faithful commander of earlier king Venkata II.
Battle of Toppur:
The defeated Jagga Raya sought harbor in the jungle but sprung up and sought aid from the Nayaks of Gingee and Madurai, both willing to set out of the Vijayanagara bond, to assail Yachama Nayudu and Rama Deva. Yachama Nayudu and Ramadeva sought support from the Tanjore Nayaks, who still treated the Vijaynagar as their authority.
Venkata III also known as Peda Venkata Raya, the grandson of Aliya Rama Raya became the King of Vijayanagara Empire from 1632-1642.
Capture by Timma Raja:
Venkata III`s paternal uncle, Timma Raja, another brother of Sriranga II, considered himself to be a better claim, detained the government at Vellore Fort, persuading Venkata III to remain in his native place Anekonda. The Nayaks of Gingee, Tanjore and Madurai declared support for Venkata III,while Timma Raja got from none and was looked upon as a usurper. Timma Raja however made lot of trouble and civil strife continued until his death in 1635.Initially he was winning, until the King Peda Venkata (Venkata III)`s nephew,Sriranga III took to the field and beat Timma Raja with help from the Dutch in Pulicat,compelling him to accept Venkata III`s claim. Timma Raja was allowed some territories under his control, but stirred up trouble the second time, only to be slain by the Nayak of Gingee in 1635. Peace was finally restored and Peda Venkata Raya or Venkata III returned to Vellore to take charge.
Madras Land Grant:
On 22 August 1639 Francis Day of the East India Company attained a miniature strip of Land in the Coramandal Coast from (a.k.a.Venkata III) in Chandragiri.The region was under by the Damerla Venkatapathy, Nayak of Vandavasi. The place to build a factory and warehouse for their trading activities.
Trouble from Southern Nayaks:
In 1647 the Nayaks of Tanjore and Madurai, resulting out of some complications endeavored to seize Venkata III, and assailed Vellore but were overpowered and peace was patched up.
Sriranga III`s Insurgence:
The Kings loyal nephew, Sriranga III for certain reasons turned against the King in 1638 and engineered an invasion from Bijapur.The Bijapur - Sriranga III combine initially attacked Bangalore making the King Venkata III buy peace after an expensive deal. In 1641 the same combine launched another attack and were just 12 miles to Vellore Fort, but Southern Nayaks attacked their camp with backing.
In the following year (1641), the Golkonda Sultan witnessing the disarray sent a huge force along the East Coast. The Golkonda army after facing a stiff confrontation near Madras by Venkata III`s army backed by Gingee Nayaks and Darmala Venkatapati,the chieftain of Madras and Poonamalee advanced towards Vellore Fort. But Venkata III, now badly under threat from all sides retreated to the Jungles of Chittoor and died October 1642. Venkata III did not have any heirs and was instantly succeeded by his deceitful nephew Sriranga III, who came to Vellore Fort after deserting the Bijapur camp.
Sriranga III 1642-1652 CE was the ultimate ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire, who came to power in 1642.
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