The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c23.90

v1.c23.90

Muttu Krishnappa Nayaka could not leave such a crime unpunished. An extraordinary heavy tribute of 200,000 cruzados was exacted from the poor Paravas the same year. To obtain it he despatched a body of 5,000 infantry with a number of cavalry and elephantry, under a captain. This detachment went straight to Tuticorin, which had been abandoned some months before. The captain then sent for one of the Jesuits who were in the island called of the kings. The Jesuit actually came, but replied that the Paravas could not pay such a large sum of money. On hearing this the captain gave orders that one of the neighbouring villages should be attacked. They did so, but at the same time the Portuguese captain of the island of Manar, who was then in the island of the kings with two galliots full of soldiers, proceeded with them to the sea-shore of Tuticorin and began an attack on the Hindu temple built near the city. All the priests and devotees of that shrine then ran to the Telugu captain begging for mercy, lest their temple should be destroyed. Shortly after pourparleurs were opened between the Jesuit missionery and the captain of the Nayak, which ended in the latter's retreat to Madura with his soldiers².