Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c8.s4.54

v1.c8.s4.54

What an important part this seat of the Vijayanagara viceroy in the south played² in the history of mediaeval times will be discussed at length in a subsequent connection. Ever since the days of Kumāra Kampaṇa, who liberated it from the Muslim yoke, it continued to be the great city it had been before Vijayanagara times. Even in A.D. 1662 it failed not to attract the attention of foreigners. In that year John Nieuhof wrote thus about it: "The Capital City and ordinary residence of the Nayk, is Madure, five Days journy's to the North of Koylang; being adorned with many most magnificent Pagodes or Pagan Temples, which have very high Turrets Gilt on the top".¹