Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c15.s6.24

v1.c15.s6.24

The third feature of the Vijayanagara army was the encouragement given to the soldiers by the king who presented to them precious ornaments and bestowed on them the unique distinction of receiving betel leaf and nut at the royal hands. There is reason to suppose that this latter practice was the acknowledged mode of conferring on warriors and statesmen great honour in southern India. Before we deal with its political significance, we may note that on the eve of a great conflict, the king gave costly presents to the generals and soldiers. The Brahmans also came in for their share of the royal labour. On the battlefield of Rākshasa-Taṅgaḍi, Rāma Rāja, according to the Bakhair, presented the Brahmans with 50,000 gold pieces as alms. To the nobles the great Regent gave valuable jewels of stones, bracelets, necklaces, ear jewels, crowns, "caustobhāram, culkeetoorayyes" and to the feudatories, the finest new cloths. The same honour was extended even to the jamadars who were presented with rich gifts.⁴ We may assume that the generous Regent, who cared to win the confidence of the jamadars, would not have passed over in silence the claims of the rank and file on that memorable occasion.