09-08-2006, 10:45 PM
About Vijayanagara military policy:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->104. MILITARY POLICY,
The successive defeats at the hands of the Pathans
in spite of many (of the Hindus) having fought and died,
made the Raya discover the need for a cavalry here;
and towards this end he subdued the Tulu country, and
o-arrisoned the sea ports of Honavar, Bhattakkaja, Bakanur,
MaiitfalapiTraiu, etc., with horses imported from abroad. As
trainers and troopers he enlisted on handsome salary candi-
dates from anywhere irrespective of caste or creed. The Raya's
men believed that having regard to the affairs at Calicut,
the Portuguese help would be an asset to them in the matter of
fighting the Mussalmans, To good fighters the Raya presented
beautiful maidens, etc. If any quarrels arose among the
warriors, they had to settle them by fighting with swords in the
presence of the Raya. The disputes among the goldsmiths,
etc., had also to be settled likewise. Thus a warlike spirit was
infused into all. Fear of death was held in contempt, and women
would drink poison and die to save their honour. On the death
of the ting, his wives and maidens, about 700 in all, would
perform sail on his funeral pyre. Men also would accompany
their departed royal master by killing themselves. Thus every-
body took delight in military exercises. And to fight against
the Mussalmans three or four lakhs of people would gather.
Mid*
Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History, K.A.Nilakanta Sastry, Pg 100.
http://dli.iiit.ac.in/cgi-bin/Browse/scrip...e=2020010027355<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->104. MILITARY POLICY,
The successive defeats at the hands of the Pathans
in spite of many (of the Hindus) having fought and died,
made the Raya discover the need for a cavalry here;
and towards this end he subdued the Tulu country, and
o-arrisoned the sea ports of Honavar, Bhattakkaja, Bakanur,
MaiitfalapiTraiu, etc., with horses imported from abroad. As
trainers and troopers he enlisted on handsome salary candi-
dates from anywhere irrespective of caste or creed. The Raya's
men believed that having regard to the affairs at Calicut,
the Portuguese help would be an asset to them in the matter of
fighting the Mussalmans, To good fighters the Raya presented
beautiful maidens, etc. If any quarrels arose among the
warriors, they had to settle them by fighting with swords in the
presence of the Raya. The disputes among the goldsmiths,
etc., had also to be settled likewise. Thus a warlike spirit was
infused into all. Fear of death was held in contempt, and women
would drink poison and die to save their honour. On the death
of the ting, his wives and maidens, about 700 in all, would
perform sail on his funeral pyre. Men also would accompany
their departed royal master by killing themselves. Thus every-
body took delight in military exercises. And to fight against
the Mussalmans three or four lakhs of people would gather.
Mid*
Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History, K.A.Nilakanta Sastry, Pg 100.
http://dli.iiit.ac.in/cgi-bin/Browse/scrip...e=2020010027355<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->