Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c13.s1.1

v1.c13.s1.1

ONE of the questions which naturally arises in connection with the history of the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagara is that relating to the administration of justice. This brings us to the topic of the adherence of the Vijayanagara monarchs to classical principles as recorded in the *dharma-śāstras*. The subject of justice and punishment, as is well known to students of Hindu polity, is treated in the *smṛtis* under the caption of *daṇḍa*. Gautama thus defines *daṇḍa*: "They declare that (the word) *daṇḍa* (rule or punishment) is derived from (the verb) *damayati* (he restrains); therefore he shall restrain those who do not restrain themselves".¹ While admitting the inherent weakness of human nature and the tendency it has to over-ride the limits imposed obviously by the State on behalf of society, Gautama also makes provision for a moderate dispensation of justice, especially as regards punishments, in his statement that the king shall only restrain those who do not know how to restrain themselves. Moderation, therefore, is one of the features of the *daṇḍanīti*. There is another feature of the ancient system which may enable us to understand the Vijayanagara theory and practice of *daṇḍa*. This relates to the free access which the people had in making a direct appeal to the king. In the account of the *rājasūya* as described in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*, we are told that one of the results accruing from the performance of that sacrifice makes the king the lord of law, and that the supreme state (*paramatā*) is that in which the people can approach the king in matters of law.² The right of direct appeal advocated in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa* is to be borne in mind in our estimate of the methods of administering justice under Vijayanagara.