Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c15.s6.26

v1.c15.s6.26

The traditional custom of permitting soldiers and generals to accept betel leaf at the royal hands was common in southern India since early times. It does not figure in the *Arthaśāstra* nor is it mentioned in the *Śukranīti*. The author of the latter mentions the preparation and preservation of betel among the *kalās*.¹ One may venture to suggest that this particular custom may have originated in the south. When victory hung in the balance, the commander called some noted chieftain to lead a forlorn hope, and devote his life to gain the day. To be chosen for such an enterprise was always represented as a great honour and the charge was confirmed with the presentation of betel leaf to the champion from the hand of his chief.² Thus in A.D. 1276 by order of Rāmachandra Dēva, the Yādava king, Timma of Sātuvali with the betel bearers (*haḍpadavaru sahitam*) opposed the force of Kumāra Bommarasa, stirred up the enemy, stopped their army, captured and slew them.³ In the eleventh year of the same monarch (A.D. 1282) Bommarasa's son Tammiyarasa along with another chieftain laid siege to a fortress (probably Hosaguṇḍa) and sending for Kōḍi Nāyaka's son, Soḍḍiga Nāyaka, honoured him with betel leaf, and giving him an order, saying "Fight and help in battle". On which, that able bodied Soḍḍiga, taking the betel leaf from the hand of his ruler, entered into the fight, pierced the horse and men, distinguished himself, and gained the world of gods.⁴