Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c14.s1.1

v1.c14.s1.1

BITTER as were the relations between the Hindus and the Muhammadans, yet they were not without some redeeming features which shed a pleasant light on their mutual dealings. The Hindu State owed its origin to the spirit of resistance which confronted the Muhammadans when they swept over the southern peninsula in search of wealth and power; it was well-nigh shattered when the Sultans of the north formed a great coalition against their southern neighbours, whose increasing influence was a continual menace to the Muhammadans. The story of the alleged contempt that was shown by Rāma Rāja to an ambassador from the court of 'Ali 'Ādil Shāh, as given in the Bakhair, was only a flimsy veil which the Muhammadans used to cover the fact that their position as the rulers of a great part of southern India was incompatible with that of the Hindu sovereigns, whose power showed no sign of decline in the early part of the sixteenth century. From the time when poor Bahā-ud-dīn took shelter under the Rāja of Kampili till the dismal days of the battle of Rākshasa-Tangadi, the Hindus endeavoured to sow the seeds of mutual goodwill and respect, which, however, save in one or two notable instances, proved barren in the annals of the two peoples. It is with these attempts that we are concerned, since with their aid we can see the brighter side of the Hindu-Muhammadan relations in mediaeval ages.