Like his predecessors, Devaraya was involved in a series of battles with his neighbours. Bahmani Sultan Ahmad Shah I had not forgotten his discomfiture at the hands of the Raya during the last war when he failed to capture Panagal. He made the necessary preparations to avenge the humiliation.
Devaraya was also not unaware of the resources of his adversary and, therefore, secured the help of the Raja of Warangal. The Raya was quite successful in the initial stages of the war. The transfer of the capital from Gulbarga to a safer place Bidar situated in the far off north in the hilly tract is also not without significance.
The desertion of the Raja of Warangal, however, changed the situation but the Raja still fought stoutly. The king of Orissa took advantage of the opportunity and occupied those territories of the Reddis of Kondavidu which had been annexed by the Vijayanagar rulers. In spite of these reverses, Devaraya fought bravely. The Sultan ravaged the country and took a large booty while Firishta calls “arrears of tribute”. The war ended without any distinct advantage on either side.