The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t5.24

v2.c15.s2.t5.24

Pratāparudra discharged his obligations faithfully. Every year thereafter he sent the stipulated amount of tribute and the quota of elephants to the Court of Delhi. An interesting incident which took place in the court of the Sulṭān on one occasion when some of the officers of Pratāparudra were there on a visit deserves notice, since it demonstrates the existence of friendly relations between the conquerors and the conquered at this time. Two officers of Pratāparudra, Pōtugaṇṭi Maili and Teliṅga Bijjana, who had probably gone to Delhi in command of the troops conveying the tribute, fought an exhibition duel at the Dākhōl in the presence of the Imperial Court, perhaps in order to display before the Sulṭān and his courtiers the skill in swordsmanship for which the Deccanīs had long been famous. Sulṭān ‘Alā-ud-Din seems to have held Pratāparudra in high esteem, since he later called for his assistance, as will presently be shown, in the execution of certain military enterprises in the South.