Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 37

FEBRUARY, 1931)
THE PRISON OF EMPEROR SADASIVA RAYA
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however, intrigued with Ambaji, were reconciled to the Rând and procured the dismissal of both Zalimsimha and the army of Sindhia on payment to the latter of 20 lakhs levied on both clans.82
It will thus be seen that Chitor suffered from four great, and several minor, attacks from time to time. The fortress has played an important part, not only in the history of Rajputana but also in the history of India. Though we have no definite historical evidence in respect of it prior to the eighth century of the Christian era, nevertheless, its use as a stronghold probably goes back to a remote past. From the close of the mediaval period it became the cynosure of the rulers of India : hence its grievous sufferings. By the middle of the nineteenth century, it was practically reduced to a state of desolation, till the work of repairing it was begun by Maharana Sajjansimha and continued by the deceased Maharana.
In fine, those that had once raised their swords against this noble fortress have perished and their descendants have disappeared in the mist of obscurity, but Chitorgațh, though worn by vicissitude and stricken in years, proud to be still in the possession of its own lord, still rears its stately head above the plain, its honour untarnished and its fame imperishable.
THE PRISON OF EMPEROR SADAŠIVA RÂYA.
By Rev. H. HERAS, S.J. In the first volume of my history of The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, I described at length the three stages by which the Prime Minister of Emperor Sadasiva, the well-known Rama Raya, finally usurped the imperial authority. These three different phases of his usurpation are substantiated by foreign travellers and chroniclers, and confirmed by inscriptions and coins. 1
He first posed as standing on the same level with, and practically enjoying the same authority as, the Emperor Sadasiva. Then he proceeded to imprison the sovereign, whom he showed to his subjects once a year only. Finally even this ceremony was suppressed, while rumours were ounningly spread throughout the empire that the Emperor Sadasiva had died. After this the enthronement of Rama Raya as Emperor of Vijayanagara came in the natural course of events.
While narrating the second of these stages, I wrote in the above-mentioned book as follows: "Couto [a Portuguese Chronicler who gives the most important details about Sadesiva's imprisonment] does not say where this tower for prison) was situated. Several insoriptions of the time affirm that Sadasiva resided at Vijayanagara. But this is not a satisfactory proof; because even supposing that he was imprisoned at Penukonda, his subjeots could readily have been led to believe that he was still at Vijayanagara. Nevertheless we are inclined to think that he remained in his capital. ....."
Indeed Emperor Sadasive was shown once every year to his subjects, and this ceremony would naturally take place in the capital itself. Moreover, all the contemporary sources that speak of the battle of Raksasatangadi (formerly called Talikota) state that Tirumala, Rama Raya's brother, after the battle ran to Vijayanagara to fetch the Emperor Sadasiva, who was "kept prisoner" there, and then fled with him to their final refuge.
Now where was this prison of the Emperor Sadasiva situated? This question was always on my lips when I visited the ruins in 1926. But the great havoc caused by four centuries in the buildings of the old capital, and the boards placed without much historical accuracy by the Archaeological Department, mislead the researchers so that I could not trace this building. But in my last visit to the ancient capital in the month of April 1929, I made a new search, taking as a guide the Portuguese ohronicler Couto.
This writer is the only one who, to some extent, describes Sadasiva's prison. He says that it was a strongly fortified tower with iron doors, and surrounded by sentries; neverthe. less his treatment while there was such as befitted a king. Now the Portuguese phrase,
83 Tod's Rajasthan, vol. I, p. 618. 101. Herme, The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, 1, pp. 28-39. Ibid., p. 31. 3 mm Predpriok, in Purchas, His Pilgrimes, X, p. 93.
Couto, Decadas, VI, p. 383.