TheAravidu Dynasty was the fourth and lastHindu dynasty of theVijayanagara Empire inSouth India.[1] Its founder wasTirumala Deva Raya, whose brother Rama Raya had been the masterful regent of the last ruler of the previous dynasty. Rama Raya's death at theBattle of Talikota in 1565 led to the subsequent destruction of Vijayanagar by the combined forces of the Muslim states of the Deccan. The Aravidu family claimed to be Kshatriyas and were based in Andhra region.[2] They claimed to belong to the Atreya gotra and traced their lineage to theEastern Chalukya kingRajaraja Narendra.[3]
The Aravidu dynasty, after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 17th century, continued their rule by establishing themselves as the Rajas of Anegundi. These descendants of the Aravidu dynasty, despite not holding active political power, are often respected due to their association with the Vijayanagar Empire.[1]
