Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c13.s3.12

v1.c13.s3.12

We have already seen how the same ruler, Bukka Oḍeyār, in A.D. 1368, personally settled the momentous question of the religious rivalry which threatened to create open enmity between the Jainas and the Śrīvaishṇavas. Since it is impossible to imagine that Bukka Oḍeyar would have ventured to be their arbitrator without seeking the counsel of persons versed in the Sacred Law, we may suppose that these may have exercised some control over the actions of the king. And the example thus set by Bukka Oḍeyar must certainly have had its effect on the judicial traditions of the Empire. While describing social questions which necessitated legislation on the part of the people themselves, we shall narrate some instances of the personal interest which the rulers took in communal matters even in later Vijayanagara history.¹