A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c21.s2.118

c21.s2.118

After all this is done and arranged the king goes forth and seats himself on the daïs I have mentioned, where is the throne and the other things, and all those that are inside make their salaam to him. As soon as they have done this the wrestlers seat themselves on the ground, for these are allowed to remain seated, but no other, howsoever great a lord he be, except the king so commands; and these also eat betel, though none else may eat it in his presence except the dancing-women, who may always eat it before him. As soon as the king is seated in his place he bids to sit with him three or four men who belong to his race, and who are themselves kings and the fathers of his wives; the principal of these is the king of Syrimgapatão and of all the territory bordering on Malabar, and this king is called Cumarvirya,¹ and he seats himself as far in front as the king on the other side of the daïs, the rest are behind.