A History of Agriculture in India v2.c65.s4.4

v2.c65.s4.4

During the rule of Devaraya I an Italian, Nicolo Conti, visited Vijayanagar. Describing the capital he states, ‘The great city of Bizenegalia is situated near very steep mountains. The circumference of the city is sixty miles (96.5 km); its walls are carried up to the mountains and enclose the valleys at their foot, so that its extent is thereby increased. In this city there are estimated to be ninety thousand men fit to bear arms.’ Regarding Devaraya I, Nicolo states, ‘Their king is more powerful than all the other kings of India. He takes to himself 12,000 wives of whom 4,000 follow him on foot wherever he may go, and are employed solely in the service of the kitchen. A like number, more handsomely equipped, ride on horse-back. The remainder are carried by men in litters, of whom 2,000 or 3,000 are selected as his wives on condition that at his death they should voluntarily burn themselves with him, which is considered to be a great honour for them.’