A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c19.185

c19.185

Râma Râjah was now a very old man — Couto says “he was ninety-six years old, but as brave as a man of thirty” — and, against the entreaties of his officers, he preferred to superintend operations from a litter rather than remain for a long time mounted— a dangerous proceeding, since in case of a reverse a rapid retreat was rendered impossible. But he could not be induced to change his mind, remarking that in spite of their brave show the enemy were children and would soon be put to flight. So confident was he of victory that it is said he had ordered his men to bring him the head of Hussain Nizâm, but to capture the Âdil Shâh and Ibrâhîm of Golkonda alive, that he might keep them the rest of their lives in iron cages.