A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c21.s3.t10.3

c21.s3.t10.3

As soon as the festivals were ended he went to the new city; and, being there, they told him how there was entered an ambassador of the Ydallcão. Already he knew that an ambassador had come but he pretended that he did not know, since it is not customary for the King to send out to receive any ambassador (on his arrival). Since this ambassador was in the city of Bisnaga, knowing that the King was in the new city, which is two leagues from Bisnaga, he betook himself thither; and close to the city bade the people pitch his tent, which was the best and most beautiful and rich that up to that time had ever been seen in those parts. This ambassador was called Matucotam; he brought with him one hundred and fifty horse and much people to serve him and many pack animals, among which were certain camels. He brought also two of the scribes of the chamber of the Ydallcão, so that indeed you would believe that he had brought all the power of the Ydallcão “pera segumdo elle ficou desbaratado.”¹