The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s3.t7.18

v2.c15.s3.t7.18

The non-intervention policy of the government even when murders were committed, though these had been perpetrated flagrantly in the interest of the organization, is quite incomprehensible. The two records mentioned above show how much power these guilds wielded and how powerful they were during the last days of the Kākatīya empire. This complaisant policy on the part of the rulers was probably due to the help which these merchant guilds had given to the Kākatīya monarch during the Muslim invasions. Members of these guilds probably joined the army in times of need to form a distinctive component part—*śreṇi-bala*—guild-force, one of the six divisions of the royal army which performed meritorious services for the king and were accordingly rewarded with these powers and privileges. The *praśasti*, or formal preamble, of the Virabalañja guild in their inscriptions always contains a long list of titles indicative of their valour and achievements, some of which, like those of the *Ballāḷa-rāya-mardana*, are historical. Whatever may be the case as to the origin of these immunities it is a fact that these merchant-guilds wielded unlimited powers and enjoyed full autonomy in the internal management of their own affairs.