Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c21.s2.t3.1

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