The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c23.85

v1.c23.85

8. After Kasturi’s death Mutu Krishnappa Nayaka, son of Visvappa Nayaka, ascended the Pandya throne ⁹. One of the first things intended by the new King of Madura in 1603-4 was to oppress with new taxes the Paravas of the Fishery Coast. During the reign of Krishnappa Nayaka II these poor Christians had been tyranically treated by two Palaiyakarans of the neighbourhood. One is styled in the Jesuit sources ‘King of Tuticorin’. The Paravas of the neighbourhood also used to pay him an annual tribute. But when this chief demanded from the poor folk of Tuticorin a heavier sum, the latter refused to pay it. The petty king could not brook such a flagrant breach of obedience. He marched his army against Tuticorin, entered it by surprise, sacked the whole town, robbed the College of the Jesuits and destroyed the altars and images of their Church. The Father who was then in the College, and whose name is not given, was captured by the soldiers of the so-called king and carried to their capital, where he was kept in captivity till a ransom of four thousand cruzados was paid by the Paravas. Now these much-vexed people demanded from the Palaiyakaran some sort of amends for the injuries done both to them and to the Catholic Church. But the chief was rather inclined not to trouble himself as far as this satisfaction was concerned. On seeing this the Paravas of Tuticorin abandoned their city, and proceeded in a body to the little island called ‘of the Kings,’ a league from the sea-shore, where they settled. Later on fortifications were built round the island, by the license of the Viceroy Ayres de Saldanha¹. Naturally the escape of the Paravas from the continent was not a welcome news to the covetous Nayak of Madura. But another event, that followed soon after still more infuriated the Madura sovereign.