The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.89

v1.c28.89

In 1609 we find Fr. Coutinho no longer at Vellore, and Fr. Rubino has taken his place, though also in charge of the Christians of Chandragiri ⁴. We suspect that Coutinho was recalled to St. Thomas, as his health had broken down. He died in 1610, and then Rubino was appointed Superior of the mission. Fr. Antonio Diaz was then sent there and the Provincial expected to appoint two additional Fathers for this mission ⁵. Fr. Coutinho’s death was a great loss to it: he was a man “of great virtue and of excellent intellect”, Fr. Ricio wrote in 1601 ⁶. He was a bosom friend of Venkata. As a matter of fact after the death of Coutinho the King became colder and colder in his relations with the Fathers. At the end of 1609, Fr. Rubino wrote to Fr. General: “The King is not as good a