Who among the following was not a court poet of king Krishnadevaraya?

The correct answer is D, Siddheshvara. Siddheshvara was not one of the poets at the court of Krishnadevaraya. Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509-1529), the greatest ruler of the Tuluva dynasty of Vijayanagara, was himself a scholar who wrote the Telugu poem Amuktamalyada. His court is famous for the Ashtadiggajas, the eight great Telugu poets. They are usually listed as Allasani Peddana (called the Andhra Kavita Pitamaha), Nandi Timmana, Dhurjati, Madayyagari Mallana, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Pingali Surana, Ramarajabhushana and Tenali Ramakrishna. Option A is wrong because Nandi Timmana, author of Parijatapaharanamu, was one of the Ashtadiggajas. Option B is wrong because Dhurjati, known for Kalahasti Mahatmyamu, was also at the court. Option C is wrong because Madayyagari Mallana, who wrote Rajasekhara Charitramu, was another of the eight poets. Exam tip: Krishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada; his eight court poets were the Ashtadiggajas, led by Allasani Peddana.