The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.77

v1.c28.77

9. Venkata gave the Jesuits at Vellore a site next to his own palace to build a house and church. "The King", says Coutinho, "gave us a house and church within the first enclosure of the fortress; and I put up the Holy Cross over the gate. It is situated in a beautiful street running from North to South and leaning against the walls of the palace. The Church is visited by many of the King's relations, who are our friends and neighbours; they enjoy our conversations about God" ³. This proves that, after that temporary storm of hatred against the Portuguese, the love of Venkata for the Jesuits was renewed once more "He (Venkata)," says Fontebona, "shows us as much love as we can desire" ⁴. And in another letter he says: "It is surprising to see how he loves us" ⁵. Fr. Antonio Vico, writing from Cochin at about the same time, informs us that "the King of Bisnaga is daily growing fonder of the things of God" ¹, while Fontebona says elsewhere that Venkata "likes to talk about our things, and specially about our holy faith" ².