At the Battle of Talikota, the united forces of the Deccan Sultanates confronted the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, which was under the leadership of Rama Raya. The battle unfolded in January 1565, near the town of Talikota in present-day Karnataka, India. The Deccan Sultanates included the kingdoms of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golconda, and Bidar, who had aligned their interests against the growing power of Vijayanagara. Led by Rama Raya, Vijayanagara had achieved significant territorial expansion and prosperity, but this growing influence threatened the regional stability that the Sultanates sought to protect.

The confrontation began with the Sultanates initially launching a surprise attack, leveraging their combined military forces to overwhelm the Vijayanagara troops. Despite fierce resistance, Rama Raya's forces struggled against the Sultanate's numerical supremacy and coordinated strategy. As the battle progressed, deteriorating morale combined with strategic missteps led to a rout. Rama Raya was captured and subsequently executed, marking a decisive end to a critical power in the region. The conflict saw catastrophic losses, with estimates of casualties surpassing 100,000 on both sides, showcasing the ferocity of the warfare.

The aftermath of the battle brought about the swift collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire, leading to widespread looting and destruction of its capital city. This event marked a significant shift in the balance of power in southern India, as the Deccan Sultanates consolidated control, altering the socio-political landscape in the region for decades to follow.