The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c15.63

v1.c15.63

6. In the meanwhile, Rama Raya had joined his army and despatched to the vanguard a body of Rachebidas (of the Rachevadu race)¹ under a captain of their own, to reconnoitre the surroundings²; and these were probably the force met by the Muslim vanguard. According to the Maratha account there was a fierce exchange of arrows from both sides; and both parties suffered heavily, but the Muhammadan vanguard was forced to retreat³. Rama Raya was having his dinner when news suddenly came that the enemy was approaching and was almost within sight; and that between the vanguards of both armies an engagement had taken place⁴. The Hindu chief, " though somewhat astonished at their activity", remarks Ferishta, " was by no means dismayed"⁵, but mounting a horse with juvenile agility he put his troops in battle array⁶. He entrusted his right wing to his brother Tirumala, and his left wing to his younger brother Venkatadri, while he himself commanded the centre. Two thousand elephants, trained and armed, and one thousand pieces of ordnance were placed at different intervals of his line⁷. The Muhammadan writer says that the infantry of Vijayanagara used to go into battle "quite naked, and had their bodies anointed with oil, to prevent their being easily seized" 1.