Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c13.s6.12

v1.c13.s6.12

The evidence of the above copper-plate grant may be refuted; and it may be maintained that the Vijayanagara monarchs were more careful in fostering the interests of the commercial classes, especially at the beginning of their political career. That rulers who gave ample evidence of their greed, could also prove that they could be just at the same time, is shown in the account of the punishment that was meted out to the unfortunate Portuguese fidalgo of St. Thome. This was, as we have already narrated, in about the year A.D. 1558 when Rāma Rāja decided to send the citizens back to the town after exacting a tribute of a hundred thousand pagodas, half to be given at once, and the other half, a year later. Fifty thousand pagodas were paid down to him on the spot, and he took with him five of the chief citizens as hostages for the other half. Then, before leaving, he caused all the property to be returned to their owners. A silver spoon was found missing. Such diligent enquiries were made by his command, that the spoon was finally discovered and returned to its owner.¹