A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c14.157

c14.157

“On the left of the Sultan's portico rises the *Dewan-Khaneh*,² which is extremely large and looks like a palace. In front of it is a hall, the height of which is above the stature of a man, its length thirty ghez and its breadth ten.³ In it is placed the *Defter-Khaneh* (court-house), and here sit the scribes. . . . In the middle of this palace, upon an high estrade, is seated an eunuch called the Danaik,⁴ who alone presides over the divan. At the end of the hall stand chobdars⁵ drawn up in line. The Dewan or Danaik settles people's affairs and hears their petitions. There is no appeal. After concluding business the Danaik passes through seven doors into the palace, and entering the last alone, makes his report to the king.