The Saluva dynasty of the Vijayanagara empire was founded by:

The Saluva dynasty, the second dynasty of the Vijayanagara empire, was founded by Saluva Narasimha (Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya) in 1485.

Background:

• The Sangama dynasty, which founded Vijayanagara in 1336, became weak in the late 15th century.
• Its rulers faced attacks from the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha, and internal revolts.
• Saluva Narasimha was a powerful general and governor (of Chandragiri) under the Sangama rulers.
• He defended the empire against the Bahmanis and the Gajapatis.
• In 1485, he took the throne from the last weak Sangama ruler, Virupaksha Raya II (or his successor), in what historians call the "first usurpation".

About Saluva Narasimha:

• He ruled from 1485 to 1491.
• He restored order in the empire and strengthened the army.
• He imported horses from Arabia and Persia, through the western coast, to strengthen the cavalry.
• He recovered some territories lost to the Gajapatis and the Bahmanis.

The end of the Saluva dynasty:

• After his death, his young sons were placed under the guardianship of his general, Narasa Nayaka (of the Tuluva family).
• Narasa Nayaka became the real power.
• In 1505, Narasa Nayaka's son Vira Narasimha took the throne, founding the Tuluva dynasty ("the second usurpation").

The four dynasties of Vijayanagara:

• Sangama (1336-1485).
• Saluva (1485-1505).
• Tuluva (1505-1570).
• Aravidu (the last dynasty).

Sources:

• Inscriptions and literary works such as the "Saluvabhyudayam" (a Sanskrit poem about Saluva Narasimha by Rajanatha Dindima).
• Foreign travellers' accounts also describe this period.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Harihara I founded the Sangama dynasty.
• ✗Vira Narasimha founded the Tuluva dynasty.
• ✗Tirumala Raya is linked with the last dynasty.