Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c13.s5.50

v1.c13.s5.50

In Schorer's Relation of the Trade of the Coromandel Coast, we have the following account of the method in which justice was administered at Masulipatam. "Justice is administered mainly by the Governors. The crime most commonly punished is theft. Apart from this, the Governors cause great trouble to their subjects in order to get money from them by fair means or foul. The reason is that they have to pay the rent of their farm annually to the King; and should they default in this, they are ordered to come to the King, who has them thrown before the elephants . . ."⁴