Rama Raya distinguished himself as a successful army general, an able administrator, and a tactful diplomat, conducting many victorious campaigns under the emperor's leadership.

To strengthen the military, he appointed two Muslim commanders, the Gilani brothers, who had previously served Sultan Adil Shah.

Rama Raya had a lot of money at his disposal, which he generously spent, and often sought strategic alliances with the Deccan sultans, who he had intentionally kept divided.

Some scholars have criticised Rama Raya for interfering in the affairs of the Sultans too much, but scholars like Dr. P. B. Desai have defended his political affairs, saying that Rama Raya did whatever he could to increase the prestige and importance of the Vijayanagara empire, ensuring no single Sultanate would rise above the others in power, hence preventing a difficult situation for Vijayanagara.

Later in 1549 when the Adilshah of Bijapur and Baridshah of Bidar declared war on Nizamshah of Ahmednagar, Ramaraya fought on behalf of the Ahamednagar ruler and secured the fort of Kalyana.

The Battle of Talikota resulted from this consolidation of Muslim power in the northern Deccan, who had felt insulted by Ramaraya and formed a 'general league of the faithful.

[12] His severed head was on display at Ahmednagar at the anniversary of the battle of Talikota and would be covered in oil and red pigment by the descendant of his executioner.

Vijayanagara, once a city of fabled splendour, the seat of a vast empire, became a desolate ruin,[14] now known by the name of a sacred inner suburb within it, Hampi.