Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s5.108

v1.c9.s5.108

When they entered the capital can be made out by ascertaining when the Hindus determined to evacuate it for ever. Tirumala in spite of his ambitious designs, was ill-fitted to carry out the great project. From the following story of the sad plight which befell the poor merchants, it is evident that Tirumala was sacrificing the principles of honesty for reasons of State. "When the kings (i.e., the Sultans) were departed from Bezeneger", writes Caesar Frederick, "this Termiragio (Tirumala) returned to the Citie, and then beganne for to repopulate it, and sent word to Goa to the Merchants, if they had any Horses, to bring them to him, and he would pay well for them; and for this cause the aforesaid two Merchants that I went in companie withall, carried those Horses that they had to Bezeneger. Also this Tyrant made an order or law, that if any Merchant had any of the Horses that were taken in the aforesaid battell (of Rākshasa-Tangadi) or warres, although they were of his owne marke, that he would give as much for them as they would: and beside he gave generall safe conduct to all that should bring them. When by this meanes hee saw that there were great store of Horses brought thither unto him, he gave the Merchants fair words, until such time as he saw they could bring no more. Then hee licenced the Merchants to depart, without giving them any thing for their Horses, which when the poore men saw, they were desperate, and as it were mad with sorrow and griefe".¹