[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934) › v2.c19.s2.t2.43 # Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s2.t2.43 Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s2.t2.43 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s2.t2.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.43) For what vile purposes an outwardly pious Brahman could use his learning and entangle princes in the meshes of war is related by Firishtah who gives us the description of the Mudkal beauty and the war which Dēva Rāya I waged far her sake. "It happened that in the town of Moodkul lived a goldsmith, who had a daughter named Nehal of such exquisite beauty, that nature seemed to have exerted all her art to render her perfect. Agreeably to the custom of Hindoostan, her parents wished to betroth her in childhood to a youth of her own caste; but she requested that the ceremony might be delayed, with such earnestness, that it was put off. Sometime after, an old brahmin, who had been on a pilgrimage to Benares, stopping on his return at her father's house, was struck with the beauty of his daughter, adopted her as his child, and resolved to render her skilful in music and dancing, of which he was a perfect master. The brahmin continued nearly eighteen months with her family: at the end of which period, finding her fully accomplished, he took his leave, with a promise shortly to return, with proposals calculated for the honour of his pupil, and the advantage of her family. The brahmin, who had from the first designed to exalt his adopted daughter to the station of a princess, proceeded to Beejanuggur; and being introduced to the Ray, spoke in such praise of the maid that he resolved to possess her, and entreated the brahmin to solicit her in marriage. The request had been anticipated by the brahmin, and he accordingly agreed to assist him in the attainment of his wishes; on which, the Ray despatched him with rich gifts to the parents and offered to bestow the title of Rany, or Princess, on their beautiful daughter. The brahmin lost no time in his journey; and on his arrival at the goldsmith's house delivered to him and his wife the Ray's orders that they should repair with their child to Beejanuggur. They were overjoyed at such unexpected good fortune; and calling the maid, laid before her the rich gifts of the Ray, congratulated her on being so soon to be united to a great prince, and attempted to throw upon her neck a golden necklace set with jewels as the token of betrothal, and which, if done, the engagement could not have been broken off. The daughter, to the astonishment of her parents, refused to receive the necklace; observing, that whoever entered the harem of Beejanuggur was never afterwards permitted to see even her nearest relatives, and though they might be willing to sacrifice her for the wealth of the court, yet she was too fond of her parents to submit to an eternal separation from them, even for the splendour of the palace of Beejanuggur. This affectionate declaration, accompanied with tears, reconciled her parents to their disappointed hopes, who rather than use force, dismissed the brahmin with all his gifts,—and he returned to Beejanuggur without success.”¹ - [Previous: v2.c19.s2.t2.42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.42) - [Next: v2.c19.s2.t2.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.44) - [Up: v2.c19.s2.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Tārīkh-i Firishta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta) — Muḥammad Qāsim Hindū Shāh Firishta 1606, Persian --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.43) · Pramāṇa