Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c21.s2.t3: C. Foreign Ambassadors—How Received
Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c21.s2.t3
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C. Foreign Ambassadors—How Received
v2.c21.s2.t3.1
We may now describe the manner in which they entertained foreigners. The provincial rulers maintained the high traditions of the Vijayanagara kings of receiving foreigners with honour suited to their rank. Nicholas Pimenta, "Visiter of the Jesuits in India",² thus tells us how the Nāyaka of Tanjore received him: "He entertained us kindly, and marvelled much that wee chewed not the leaves of the Betele which were offered us, and dismissed us with gifts of precious Clothes wrought with Gold, desiring a Priest of us for his new Citie which hee was building."³
v2.c21.s2.t3.2
² Pimenta, Purchas, Piligrims, X, p. 205.
v2.c21.s2.t3.3
³ Ibid., p. 208.
v2.c21.s2.t3.4
There seems to have been some method about the treatment of fallen enemies. Kṛṣṇa Dēva Rāya's noble example of showing deep concern for the safety of the subjects of a vanquished king, as given in detail by Nuniz, may not have been the only instance of a Vijayanagara ruler or of his subordinates treating generously his or their conquered enemies. In the battle between the king of Kandy and Pedda Kṛṣṇappa Nāyaka, the former lost his life. "The king of Candi being a crowned head his dead body was respectfully placed on his elephant, and then sent to the capital, to receive the usual funeral rites."⁴
v2.c21.s2.t3.5
⁴ Taylor, Cat Rais., III., p. 185.