Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s5.1

v1.c9.s5.1

Amidst such stirring surroundings was laid the site of the great capital. As custodians of Hindu Dharma it may be expected that the Hindu monarchs strictly adhered to the principles of the classical and mediaeval writers on matters connected with the general well-being of the State and its people. Their puritanism however did not prevent them from being a materialistic people. It may be interesting to see how far the people and rulers of Vijayanagara allowed ancient and mediaeval precept to over-ride their practical affairs. The capital, for example, according to the *Sukranīti* is to be built at a place that is bestirred by the movement of boats. Thus in the *Sukranīti*: "In a place that abounds in various trees, plants, and shrubs and is rich in cattle, birds and other animals, that is endowed with good sources of water and supplies and of grains, and is happily provided with resources in grasses and woods, that is bestirred by the movements of boats up to the seas, and is not far from the hills, and that is an even grounded, picturesque plain, the ruler should build his capital".¹ Excepting one or two conditions, especially that relating to the plain,—which the Vijayanagara monarchs ignored, for the capital,² judged by its ruins, can be said to have been a place that was anything but a plain,—the location of the city may be said to have been according to the rules of the Hindu theorists. Mention has already been made of the *ambigaru* or boatmen of the capital in an earlier connection. Here again it may be observed that while there was a brisk movement of boats near the city, it cannot be said that it "was up to the seas".