A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c17.111

c17.111

The work of the central government was apportioned among a number of departments, and there was a well-organized secretariat with its office near the palace. There were two treasuries, a smaller one for current remittances and withdrawals, and a larger reserve to which every king made it a point to add something and of which Paes says, it ‘is kept locked and sealed in such a way that it cannot be seen by anyone’ and is ‘not opened except when the kings have great need’.