The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c26.34

v1.c26.34

4. The Viceroy, however, was not the only one who was scheming to seize the newly-acquired territories of Raja Wodeyar. A new foe had sprung up in the person of the Sultan of Bijapur. Early in 1587, while Venkata was waging war with Golkonda, Ibrahim Adil Shah II despatched one of his generals, Balil Khan, with twelve thousand horse, "to collect the arrears of tribute from the Rays of Malabar (Kanara); and in case they refused payment, to reduce their forts"². He was in Kanara for one year, during which 'he nearly brought affairs in that quarter to a final adjustment'³. But he was suddenly recalled to the court to join the Sultan's army against Ahmadnagar. When he received his order "he was just on the point of receiving a large sum as part of the arrears of tribute, which would have been lost to the treasury had he immediately made public his orders of recall; and the troops would also have met with great difficulties", as he himself confessed in the presence of the Sultan, according to Ferishta⁴. Finally he retreated to Bijapur with several Rajas of the Kanarese country, who "accompanied him to pay their compliments to the King"⁵. These chiefs were afterwards honoured by Ibrahim Adil Shah with precious robes⁶. One chief was, according to Ferishta, the son of Arsappa Nayaka⁷. Another was named, as the Portuguese sources tell us, Sam Carnao Botto (?) We have been unable to identify this person, whose territory was near the fort of Basrur. When the Portuguese sovereign was informed by his Viceroy of the intention of this chief to relinquish his dominions to Bijapur, he sent his instructions as follows : “As regards the business of Sam Carnao Botto, which is of great importance, as is clear from the way it goes on, I recommend to be very careful, and to consent by no means that those fortresses be handed over to Idalxa (Adil Shah), using every possible endeavour to this end”¹. But shortly after tidings were sent to the King of the actual surrender of these forts to Bijapur: “Again the same governor informs me that, on account of the entrusting of the fortresses to Idalxa by Sao Carnao Botto the fortress of Barcelor (Basrur) is in a great distress”².