Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c22.s1.4

v2.c22.s1.4

But the example set by the great general Kuvara Lakkaya, his wife, and his brave soldiers in about the year A. D. 1220 is hardly rivalled in the entire range of Karṇāṭaka history. Kuvara Lakkaya, or as he was also called Kuvara Lakshma, was the minister of the same Hoysala king Vira Ballāḷa II. But "between servant and king there was no difference, the glory and marks of royalty were equal in both". The record which gives us this information also praises Kuvara Lakkaya for his bravery and learning, and relates that "he gave his word to king Ballāḷa that he would keep him free from fear. Not like ministers who, binding a toḍar on the leg as a decoration, guarding the wealth they obtain as if fearing to lose it, taking good care of their persons, in the time of trouble to their master accept service under another family,—he remained faithful to king Ballāḷa in all circumstances". The great general had 1000 warriors bound to him by an oath. There arose some occasion for the celebrated minister to prove his worth; and "his warriors, his beloved wife (Suggala Dēvi) and himself having with him surrendered their whole life to their ruler", mounted up "the splendid stone pillar covered with the poetical vīra-śāsana", thereby proclaiming their devotion to their royal master.² This epigraph does not inform us the exact circumstances which prompted the gallant general and his wife and warriors to give up their lives for the sake of their ruler.