Question

The Sultanates of the Deccan combined in 1565, to inflict a crushing defeat on the
ruler of Vijaynagar. The king of Vijaynagar at the time of this so-called battle of
Talikota was __________.
a. Rama Raya
b. Tirumala
c. Venkata I
d. Sadashiva Raya

Answer 1

Hint: Vijayanagar empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of Sangama Dynasty. The Battle of Talikota was a battle between the armies of the Hindu raja of Vijayanagar and the four allied Muslim sultans in the Deccan region of southern India of Bijapur, Bidar, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda, it was fought in 1565.

Complete answer: (i) At the time of this battle, the king of Vijaynagar was Sadashiva Raya.
(ii) The Battle was fought on 23rd January 1565.
(iii) During the Battle of Talikota, Sadasiva Raya was the ruler of Vijaynagar. But he was just a puppet ruler. The real power was held by his minister Rama Raya.
The main reasons for the defeat of Vijaynagar in the Battle of Talikota were:-
Vijaynagar lost the battle because of a fewer number of horsemen as compared to the Deccan Sultanates.
The Deccan sultanates had a more sophisticated and specialised weaponry system in comparison to the Vijaynagar kingdom.
The Deccan sultanates were better trained and specialised in artillery warfare.
However, the biggest reason of Vijaynagar’s defeat was the betrayal of two key commanders in the kingdom called the Gilani brothers.
Thus, the correct option is (a).

Note: The Gilani Brothers were military commanders who were called by the Vijayanagar empire, for help during the battle. However, they ultimately betrayed the kingdom by attacking their own army units on the orders of the Deccan Sultanates. It can be said that this betrayal was to a large extent responsible for the defeat of the Vijaynagar empire.