A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c21.s3.t14.17

c21.s3.t14.17

Above this tank is a very large ridge all enclosed, and in the middle some very strong gates with two towers, one on one side and one on the other; and within are always posted 1000 men on guard. For through this gate all things must enter that come into the two cities, since in order to enter the city of Bisnaga there is no other road but this, all other roads meeting there. This gate is rented out for 12,000 *pardaos* each year, and no man can enter it without paying just what the renters ask, country folk as well as strangers. In both these cities there is no provision or merchandise whatever,¹ for all comes from outside on pack-oxen, since in this country they always use beasts for burdens;² and every day there enter by these gates 2000 oxen, and every one of these pays three *vintēes*,³ except certain polled oxen without horns, which never pay anything in any part of the realm.