Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c23.s3.25

v2.c23.s3.25

Pietro della Valle observes thus about its prevalence at Ikkēri: "At the end of this visit *Vitulā Sinay* caus'd a little Silver basket to be brought full of the leaves of *Betle*, (an herb which the *Indians* are always eating, and to the sight not unlike the leaves of Cedars) and, giving it to the Ambassador, he told him that he should present it to the Captain, the Custom being so in *India* for the person visited to give *Betle*-leaves to the visitant, where-with the visit ends."4 The same traveller in an earlier connection wrote the following, while describing one of the banian trees: "Round about it are fastened Flowers and abundance of a plant, whose leaves resemble a Heart, call'd here *Pan*, but in other places of India, *Betle*. These leaves the Indians use to champ or chaw all day long, either for health's sake or entertainment and delight (as some other Nations for the same reasons, or rather through evil custome, continually take Tobacco). And therewith they mix a little ashes of sea-shells and some small pieces of an Indian nut sufficiently common, which here they call *Foufel*, and in other places *Areca*; a very dry fruit, seeming within like perfect wood; and being of an astringent nature they hold it good to strengthen the Teeth. Which mixture, besides its comforting the stomach, hath also a certain biting taste, wherewith they are delighted; and as they chaw it, it strangely dyes their lips and mouths red, which also they account gallant; but I do not, because it appears not to be natural. They swallow down only the juice after long mastication and spit out the rest. In visits, 'tis the first thing offer'd to the visitants; nor is there any society or pastime without it.' (Here Pietro refers us to some authors who have written on this plant).¹