📍 🇮🇳 Satin and Velvet at Achyutaraya Temple

The 17th-century Persian historian Farishtah (ca. 1570–1611) wrote the following in his memoirs:

“A day being fixed, he with his bride proceeded to Beejanuggur, leaving the camp in charge of Khankhannan. On the way he was met by Dewul Roy in great pomp. From the gate of the city to the palace, being a distance of six miles, the road was spread with cloth of gold, velvet, satin, and other rich stuff. The two princes rode on horseback together, between the ranks of beautiful boys and girls, who waved plates of gold and silver flowers over their heads as they advanced. Upon their arrival at the palace gate, the sultan and roy dismounted from their horses, and ascended a splendid palanquin, set with valuable jewels, in which they were carried together to the apartments prepared for the reception of the bride and bridegroom, when Dewul Roy took his leave and retired to his own palace.”

Mentioned by Farishtah, the nickname “Dewul Roy” refers to the name given to King Dev Raya (r. 1406–1422 CE), the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the richest and most powerful empires in medieval India, which was based in the Deccan Plateau in southern India.

Rumor has it that it took weeks to loot Vijayanagara as its resources and wealth were so numerous. Now, as one walks amongst the ruins of this once splendorous city, many marvel at its magnanimity.

_____Sources______

>> Robert Sewell, "A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar)", 2010