Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c25.s1.113

v2.c25.s1.113

Pietro della Valle, who observed this festival in Surat, thus describes it : "March the fifteenth was the first day of the Feast of the Indian-Gentiles, which they celebrate very solemnly at the entrance of the Spring, with dancing through the street, and casting orange water and red colours in jest one upon the other, with other festivities of Songs and Mummeries, as I have formerly seen the same in Spahan, where also reside constantly a great number of Banians, and Indian-Gentiles. Yet the solemnity and concourse of people was greater than in Persia, as being in their own Country and a City inhabited in a great part by Gentiles, and wealthier persons."⁵