The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c9.75

v1.c9.75

One of the relations of Rama Raya elevated by his power was his cousin Vitthala⁵. He was appointed Viceroy of Sadasiva in the southern country and Ceylon⁶. In another chapter we shall speak at length of his activity in the territory of his Viceroyalty. A nephew of Rama Raya, Kondaraja, was also exalted. He was the grand-son of Peda Kondaraja, the brother of Rama Raya’s father, Ranga⁷. In an inscription of 1556 he is called "Mahamandalesvara Komara Kondarajayyadeva maharasu"⁸. He is likewise mentioned in two inscriptions at Badami⁹. His influence at court is shown by the grant of Sadasiva, recorded in the British Museum plates, for fostering the cult of Vishnu. The grant had been requested by Kondaraja from Rama Raya¹⁰. In 1558, Sadasiva made another grant on the application of Rama Raya, Kondaraja having again made the petition¹¹. Finally another inscription of 1561 records a grant of Koneti Kondarajadeva to the spiritual preceptor¹². Jillela Rangapatirajayyadeva Maharaja, related to the Aravidu family on his mother’s side, was also elevated by the powerful Regent. He was appointed Mahamandalesvara and governor of Ramadurgam-sima, where he had an agent called Amarinayani Vengala-Nayaningaru ¹. A nephew of Tirumala, and probably also of Rama Raya, is called in 1554, Mahamandalesvara Madraju Nagappadeva Maharaju ². Moreover Rama Raya “was so generous”, according to Manucci, “that it is remarked in the chronicles that he never refused any favour asked. He confirmed any grant he made by a record on golden plates... The fame of this Emperor’s liberality spread far and wide, and many men of different nations entered his service, principally foreigners” ³.