Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c14.s2.3

v1.c14.s2.3

According to Sewell, the Rāja of Vijayanagara presented "Alā-ud-din with a ruby of inestimable price, and this, set in a bird of paradise composed of precious stones, the Sultan placed in the canopy over his throne; but some say that this was done by Muhammad, and that the ruby was placed above his umbrella of State".² The tribute which the Hindus paid to the Sultans sometimes was, in addition to gold and precious stones, made up of skilled musicians who were despatched to the Muhammadan court. Soon after the accession of 'Alā-ud-din Shāh Bahmani II in about A.D. 1425, the Vijayanagara forces were severely defeated by Imād-ul-mulk Ghūry, and "the Raja only obtained peace by giving up twenty elephants, a considerable sum of money, and two hundred females, skilled in music and dancing . . .".³