Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c21.s2.t1.16

v2.c21.s2.t1.16

Foreigners, who were not conversant with Hindu etiquette, confounded this ancient custom of saluting one's superiors with kissing their feet. This accounts for the following from ‘Abdur Razzāq: "When the Danaik had returned from his tour, and had been acquainted with all that had transpired, he was astounded, and after being admitted to the honour of kissing the royal feet, he offered up his thanks for the safety of the king's person, and made more than usual preparations to celebrate the festival of Mahānavī."⁵ Nuniz commits the same blunder: "The King confers very high honour, too, if he permits a certain one to kiss his feet, for he never gives his hand to be kissed by any one."⁶