Who led the army into the battle at Rakshasi-Tangadi in 1565?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Rama Raya

After Krishnadeva Raya’s death in 1529, his successors faced rebellious nayakas, and by 1542 control at the centre had passed to the Aravidu lineage. Rama Raya, the chief minister, tried to play one Deccan Sultan against another, and the Sultanates of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda joined together against him. In 1565 he led the army into battle at Rakshasi-Tangadi (also known as Talikota), where his forces were routed. The victors sacked the city, and Vijayanagara was abandoned within a few years.

Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.

2026	2025	2024	2023	2022
25-05 S1	03-06 S2*	–	30-05 S2*	–

* A similar question.

NCERT (2025-26): “2.2 The apogee and decline of the empire … His successors were troubled by rebellious nayakas or military chiefs. By 1542 control at the centre had shifted to another ruling lineage, that of the Aravidu, which remained in power till the end of the seventeenth century. During this period, as indeed earlier, the military ambitions of the rulers of Vijayanagara as well as those of the Deccan Sultanates resulted in shifting alignments. Eventually this led to an alliance of the Sultanates against Vijayanagara. In 1565 Rama Raya, the chief minister of Vijayanagara, led the army into battle at Rakshasi-Tangadi (also known as Talikota), where his forces were routed by the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda. The victorious armies sacked the city of Vijayanagara. The city was totally abandoned within a few years.…”