Sadasiva Raya

Sadashiva Raya (1542–1569) was a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, a powerful South Indian empire based in the Deccan in 16th century India.

When the Vijayannagara ruler, Achyuta Raya who was younger brother of Krishna Deva Raya died in AD 1542, his son, Venkata I (Venkata Raya or Venkatadri Raya), succeeded him. He was a weak ruler and killed six months later, Sadasiva Raya, who was the nephew (sister's son) Achyuta Raya became king according to the laws of Aliya Santana which was prevalent among the Bunts caste to which tuluva dynasty belonged. Sadasiva Raya was controlled by his minister Rama Raya, the de facto king, who restored the Vijayanagara empire's power which had diminished after the rule of Krishna Deva Raya. Rama Raya's strategy was to play the Deccan Sultanates against each other by first allying with one and then another.