Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s5.31

v1.c9.s5.31

The first line of defence was a belt of forest. "The country", says Firishtah, "is full of fastnesses and woods, almost impenetrable to troops".⁴ The second line of defence was an enclosure about fifty yards deep, dotted with half-sunken rocks that made it impossible for the enemy to push forward their cavalry divisions. "It is so built that it has seven fortified walls, one within the other. Beyond the circuit of the outer wall there is an esplanade extending for about fifty yards, in which stones are fixed near one another to the height of a man; one half buried firmly in the earth, and the other half rises above it, so that neither foot nor horse however bold, can advance with facility near the outer wall".⁵ Behind these stones came the third line of defence mentioned by 'Abdur Razzāq—the massive walls of stone, range within range, with fortified bastions in every one of them. These were the seven walls which encircled the city that was throbbing with life. The first circle was naturally guarded with the most scrupulous care. Foreigners like 'Abdur Razzāq could not help remarking the activity of the officials. "It (i.e., the first fortress is a fortress", says 'Abdur Razzāq, "of a round shape, built on the summit of a mountain, and constructed of stones and lime. It has very solid gates, the guards of which are constantly at their post, and examining everything with a severe inspection".⁶