Administration and Social Life under Vijayanagar c15.36

c15.36

The composers of the inscriptions were the later representatives of the Sūtas, and Māghadas of ancient Sanskrit literature. Their office seems to have been hereditary in certain families. They were not only composers of grants but also the reciters of laudatory verses on important ceremonial occasions, on the achievements of the kings and the proclamation of their titles. They were also to relate the valorous deeds of the kings and their ancestors, which picture was generally exaggerated and coloured. Bhaṭṭa Baciappa for instance was so good at his office that he has been called in an inscription “......a head jewel of the Baḍavārukula, a master of the Gautama Gotra......a garland of love to royal bhaṭs...... fearless champion of eulogisers, illustrious Baciappa of the Bhaṭas.”²⁷