Krishnadevaraya was a medieval Indian emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire, who reigned from 1509 to 1529. He was the third ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. He ruled the largest empire in India after the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Krishnadevaraya earned the titles Karnatakaratna simhasanadeeshwara (lit. "Lord of the Jewelled Throne of Karnataka"), Yavvana raja pratistaphanacharya (lit. "Establishment of young king to Bahmani throne"), Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana (lit. "Lord of the Kannada empire), Andhra Bhoja (lit. "Scholar of Andhra"), Gaubrahmana Pratipalaka (lit. "Protector of Brahmins and Cow") and Mooru Rayara Ganda (lit. "Lord of three kings"). He became the dominant ruler of the peninsula by defeating the sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha, and was one of the most powerful Hindu rulers in India. When the Mughal Emperor Babur was taking stock of the potentates of north India, he rated Krishnadevaraya the most powerful, with the most extensive empire in the subcontinent.

He earned the titles of 'Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana', 'Andhra Bhoja' and 'Mooru Rayara Ganda'.Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz visited the Vijayanagara Empire during his reign. Travelogues indicate that the king was not only an able administrator but also an excellent general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded. On many occasions, the king changed battle plans abruptly, turning a losing battle into victory. The poet Muku Timmana praised him as the destroyer of the Turks. Krishnadevaraya benefited from an able prime minister Timmarusu, whom he regarded as a father figure responsible for his coronation. Krishnadevaraya was well advised by the witty Tenali Ramakrishna.