Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c12.s3.t1.7

v1.c12.s3.t1.7

"During the rule of the Rayer in Cal. Yug. 4520, Sal. Sac 1341, 'my ancestors' were of the Camavar tribe. Camulaca nayaker lived at Devanampaṭanam near Cuddalore, being headman of the district. At that time the Rayer had an unmanageable horse, which no one could govern, till the aforesaid Camulaca, going to the capital, taught the keepers how to control the animal; and he himself, mounting the horse rode out with it for three days together in the most unfrequented places, and brought it back before the Rayer, on the fourth day, perfectly quiet. The Rayer was so well pleased that he gave the headman the title of the horse, adding other titles, and distinctive banners; and relinquished the district at Cuddalore to him in free-gift, therewith dismissing him. At the time when Visvanātha naicker was sent to take possession of the Pandiya kingdom, the aforesaid Camulaca was ordered to accompany him, and afford aid. The household god of Camulaca became an image at Emakalapuram, where he settled. He received orders from Visvanātha naicker to furnish a quota of troops, towards the charge and defence of the fort of Madura. Some disagreement occurring between Kulasēchara and Visvanātha; the latter ordered the Emakalapuram chief to go against the former, which he did; and, after much fighting, the former laid an ambush, so that Camulaca naicker was shot, as he was advancing with his people. Visvanātha had the funeral rites performed. His son was Anantapa naicker; who, in consideration of the manner of his father's death, received additional distinctions, and some villages in free grant from Visvanātha naicker. At the time when the seventy-two chiefs had each a bastion of the Madura fort confined to him, this chief was appointed to the seventh bastion".¹