Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c8.s3.27

v1.c8.s3.27

In spite of the foregoing observations made by the foreigners and the Hindu stone-masons, our information is inadequate as regards the manner in which the Vijayanagara monarchs dealt with the important question of ocean transport. In fact, it may not be far wrong to state that they failed to handle satisfactorily this vital topic of oceanic trade and maritime activity. The Vijayanagara people were essentially a land people; and to them as well as to their rulers, the problem of land transport seemed of greater significance than that of water transport. What a profound effect this had on the fate of the Hindu Empire can only be understood when we follow the thread of political events that ushered in the maritime powers of the Occident on the southern, eastern and western parts of the peninsula. But in judging the Vijayanagara people due consideration is also to be given to the fact that, lacking as they were in all the modern means of transport, they succeeded in maintaining, according to the standards of the age, a brisk commercial and social life in all parts of their Empire.