The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.4

v1.c28.4

In 1597, Fr. Nicolas Pimenta, as Visitor on behalf of the General of the Society of Jesus, visited all the Jesuit houses and missions in the South of India. While he was at St. Thome, he recommended the Fathers of that College to try all possible means to establish a mission at the capital of the Emperor of Vijayanagara, then at Chandragiri. It was suggested by Fr. Pimenta that a Father should go there to present his respect to the sovereign, from whom he might obtain sanction to establish a house in his capital. All the Fathers approved of the idea. Accordingly "I appointed Fr. Simon (de) Sa, Rector of the Colledge of Saint Thomas," says Fr. Pimenta himself, "to begin a Mission thither as soone as hee could" ¹. Fr. de Sa at once got in touch with a Christian merchant, a native of Chandragiri, who was then living at St. Thome; this person wrote about the matter to one of his relations, a servent of Oba Raya, the Emperor's father-in-law, to whom he praised the wisdom and holiness of the Jesuits of St. Thome so highly that Oba Raya became anxious to make their acquaintance. Accordingly the latter wrote to the Fathers, inviting them to proceed to Chativerum (Kanchivaram), where he used to reside in a fortress of some importance ². Fr. de Sa replied that he would go after the monsoon was over. In the meantime Oba Raya, having been called to Chandragiri by the Emperor invited the Rector of St. Thome to proceed to that court, where he expected to be for a long period. Accordingly on October 10th, 1598, Fr. de Sa together with Fr. Francesco Ricio left St. Thome for the capital of the Empire. A nephew of Oba Raya, a boy aged 13, came forward to meet and salute the Fathers with a considerable retinue of elephants and horses. When a league away from Chandragiri they sent a message to Oba Raya, who next morning despatched a general accompanied by many nobles and soldiers riding either elephants or horses to receive and usher them into the city. A great reception was given them in Oba Raya's palace; they handed over their presents to that chief, who offered them in their first interview any town they desired to stay in and build a church; moreover, he promised to defray the expenses of the missionaries who stayed in the town. He also presented them with rich silk cloths and inquired eagerly about the King of Portugal and his Viceroy in India; and after some days he personally introduced the Fathers into the presence of Venkata II.