The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.24

v1.c28.24

In connection with this story of their revenue the Jesuit sources narrate a case not known hitherto, and one which undoubtedly reflects on the integrity of the nobles of Venkata's court. "The case was striking in this", says Guerreiro, "that it should happen to the chief Governor of the Empire, who so earnestly opposed the grant ordered by the King from the revenue of those villages for the ministers of the Church. It was just he who was accused before the King of having robbed the royal rents and treasure; he was disgracefully deprived of his functions and dignity. And when asked by the King for one of his rings that had cost fifty thousand pagodas, he denied the charge and swore on his parents he had never taken the ring. By many witnesses he was declared guilty of the theft of the ring and of three hundred thousand pagodas; so he is now imprisoned. The new Governor, his successor, is a very good friend of the Fathers"².