The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c15.76

v1.c15.76

Before the battle, Tirumala and Venkatadri tried to persuade their aged brother Rama Raya to leave the superintendence of the army to them. His advanced years made his position precarious in battle. But Rama Raya could not be induced to change his mind; and with the valour of a man of thirty, he despatched them back to their respective wings 3. It was probably on this occasion that he addressed his brothers and generals and "encouraged them to make a resolute stand against the Muslims, saying that he had attained the age of eighty years (?) without having disgraced himself, and that he did not wish to be disgraced by cowardice at the end of his life. He said that anybody who was overcome by fear was free to depart while there was yet time, and to save his life. The Raya's brothers and their 30,000 horsemen swore that they would fight to the death¹. Then Rama Raya mounted a litter of state, called *sing'hasun*, in spite of the entreaties of his officers, who felt that he would be much safer on horseback. "But", said he, "there is no occasion for taking precautions against children, who would certainly fly on the first charge; this is not war"².