Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c18.s5.t3.9

v2.c18.s5.t3.9

As regards the privileges of the slaves, the same writer continues: "The villens possess established rights and privileges of which they cannot be deprived, which constitute their Mirāsī, and which are prized by them as much and maintained as tenaciously as the more valuable privileges of the higher orders. First, the Parachēri, the site of their huts wherever placed, and the back yards attached to them, are held, like the houses and homesteads of the Mirāsidars, rent-free, and they are exempted universally, from all tax and impost whatever; Secondly, they are entitled to a share in the produce of every crop, which they receive at various rates and in various modes, under the denomination of Calvāsām, Sudantram, etc.; Thirdly, they hold the inferior offices of the villages, as Taleiyāri, Vettiyan, Cambacattu, Alavucaren, Tōtti, etc., for which they are allowed Mānyamas and Sotantrams distinct from those above mentioned. The Villans work for the Mirāsidars in rotation (murei), and for a time proportioned to the share held by each; what is required for their subsistence in addition to the produce of the privileges above mentioned, is supplied jointly by the village, and they receive presents of cloth and money at stated periods, at festivals, marriages, etc., sometimes their subsistence is secured to them by assignments of land, which they cultivate like Pāyacāris; but rendering a larger share to their masters, in return for seed, cattle and implements of husbandry, with which they are gratuitously supplied".¹