Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c14.s2.39

v1.c14.s2.39

Soon after there occurred an event which is unique in the history of southern India. Rāma Rāja lost one of his sons, and this sad occasion was taken by his wife to adopt the Sultan 'Ali Ādil Shāh as her son. Both Firishtah and the anonymous author of the Bakhair confirm this. The former relates: "Ally Adil Shah, intent on adding to his dominions, and repairing the losses sustained by his father, entered into a close alliance with Ramraj; and on the occasion of the death of a son of that Prince, he had the boldness, attended only by one hundred horse, to go to Beejanuggur, to offer his condolence in person on that melancholy occasion. Ramraj received him with the greatest respect, and the King, with the kindest persuasions, prevailed upon him to lay aside his mourning. The wife of Ramraj, on this occasion, adopted the King as her son, and at the end of three days, which were spent in an interchange of friendly professions and presents, Ally Adil Shah took his leave. . . ."¹