Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c20.s3.60

v2.c20.s3.60

It was during these feasts and festivals that dancing-girls enjoyed the rare privilege of eating betel in the presence of the king. Paes, while describing the wrestlers, says: "...for these (i.e., the wrestlers) are allowed to remain seated, but no other, howsoever great a lord he be, except the king so commands; and these also eat betel, though none else may eat it in his presence except the dancing-women, who may always eat it before him".¹