Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c17.s1.14

v2.c17.s1.14

The Vijayanagara conception of the social order was, on the whole, modelled on the classical precepts. That the rulers were aware of the *varṇāśrama dharma* is proved by numerous records as well as by references in literature. Harihara Rāya II, in A.D. 1399, is said to have been "engaged in upholding the observances of all the castes and orders", and to have been "the supporter of the four castes and orders".² In A.D. 1403 the same monarch is described to be protecting the duties of the various castes (*Harihara-mahārāyaru Vijeyanagariyal(l)i śrī-Virūpāksha-dēvara sannidhiyalli varṇāśrama-dharman-gaḷan(n)u pālisutta*).³ The same phrase is used in connection with him and with his son Virūpāksha in the next year.⁴ In A.D. 1404 and A.D. 1405 Bukka (II) is also represented as protecting the *varṇāśrama dharma* from Vijayanagara.⁵ From A.D. 1407 till A.D. 1432 we come across various inscriptions in which Dēva Rāya II is said to be protecting all the *varṇā-śrama dharmas* (*sakala-varṇāśrama dharmamavannu pālisutta . . .*).⁶ In A.D. 1423 the phrase *sakala-varṇāśrama-dhar-maṅgaḷan(n)u pālisutta dharma-mārgada sakala-sāmbrājya-van āḷu* is used both in regard to Dēva Rāya and Śrigirinātha Oḍeya (son of Kammaṇa Oḍeya), the Viceroy over Āraga.⁷ Mallikārjuna Mahārāya, from A.D. 1448 to A.D. 1451, is also depicted as upholding the duties of all the castes.⁸ The idea of the *varṇāśrama dharma* survived the shock of the battle of Rākshasa-Taṅgaḍi, as is evident from the use of the phrase in connection with Sadāśiva Rāya in A.D. 1566.¹ In an inscription dated A.D. 1577, of the times of Śrīraṅga Rāya, we have the following about the Emperor Sadāśiva—*purarājyaṁ praśāsati varṇāśrama-sad-āchāra-paripālana-pūrvakam*.²