Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c22.s2.8

v2.c22.s2.8

But this one example of a dutiful citizen who received a *dāna-paṭṭe* does not adequately convey the different modes by which the rulers of Vijayanagara recognized the merits of those who did valuable service to the State. Granting lands was one method of appreciating the service of the people. Under this heading may be included the granting of *umbaḷi* lands, of *mānya* and *koḍāgi* lands, and of *gauḍike* rights. There were six kinds of *umbaḷi* lands: that which for want of a different designation may be called personal *umbaḷi*, the *grāma umbaḷi*, *daṇḍige umbaḷi*, *pallaki umbaḷi*, cow *umbaḷi* and permanent *umbaḷi* lands. The first of these was called a bhaṭa grant. In A. D. 1535-6 the Viceroy Veṅkaṭādri Ayyavāru gave to Jivarakshaka Bhaṭṭu Naṅdi Rāju the village of Cheruvupalli situated in the sīma of Kanagiri as a bhaṭa agrahāra.¹