In the Ramayana, Sugriva was the monkey king who allied with Rama to recover Sita.
Sugriva was the younger brother of Vali and the exiled ruler of Kishkindha. After Vali drove him from the kingdom, Sugriva took refuge on Mount Rishyamukha. Rama and Lakshmana encountered him there while searching for Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana. Rama promised to help restore Sugriva’s throne, and Sugriva agreed to use his vanara forces to search for Sita.
Rama eventually killed Vali and installed Sugriva as king. Sugriva then mobilized search parties in the four directions. The southern expedition, led by Angada and including Hanuman, located Sita in Lanka. Sugriva is sometimes confused with Vali because both are central monkey rulers in the Kishkindha section of the epic. He is also distinct from Hanuman, who serves as Rama’s celebrated messenger and warrior. Different Ramayana traditions vary in details, but Sugriva’s alliance with Rama is a consistent part of the story.