The
Aravidu Dynasty was the fourth and last
Hindu dynasty which ruled
Vijayanagara Empire in
South India. Its founder was
Tirumala Deva Raya, 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 Aravidu family used their dynastic name as their surname and their gotra is
Atreya.