The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c25.5

v1.c25.5

Negapatam had been lent by his father to the Portuguese, and their number had been constantly on the increase ². Fr. Pimenta, who passed through it in 1597, tells us that “many Portugals dwell there and many winter there, which come from the Coast of China, Bengala, Pegu and Malaca.” ³ Achyutappa Nayaka invited Fr. Pimenta to establish a Jesuit house with a Church at Negapatam; while another one was already started at Tranquebar ¹. And while Fr. Pimenta was in the town, the inhabitants actually purchased a place for five hundred Duckets, for a new Residence of ours’ says the same Fr. Pimenta ². Fr. du Jarric gives a slightly fuller description of this place. He says that it was “by the river side having the sea to the West and was fitted for the functions of the Society”. Fr. Pimenta sent two priests there ³.