CHAPTER 5

Deva Raya I. (A.D. 1406 to 1419)

The amorous monarch, Deva Raya I. -- The farmer's beautiful daughter --
The king's escapade -- The city threatened -- A Hindu princess wedded
to a Muhammadan prince -- Firuz Shah's anger -- Pertal's marriage --
King Vijaya -- Probable date of accession of Deva Raya II.

Firishtah tells us of an event that must have taken place towards
the end of the year A.D. 1406, in which the principal actor was the
king of Vijayanagar. This king I believe to have been Bukka II.'s
successor, his younger brother, Deva Raya I. The story relates to a
mad adventure of the Raya which he undertook in order to secure for
himself the person of a beautiful girl, the daughter of a farmer in
Mudkal. His desire to possess her attained such a pitch, that he made
an expedition into the debatable land north of the Tungabhadra for the
sole purpose of capturing the girl and adding her to his harem. I have
already shown reasons for supposing that Bukka II. was a middle-aged
man at his accession, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that this
hot-blooded monarch was his younger brother, who began to reign in
November 1406 A.D. His escapade must be narrated in full as told by
Firishtah, since it led to very important consequences.

"There resided in the town of Mudkul a farmer, who was blessed with
a daughter of such exquisite beauty, that the Creator seemed to have
united all his powers in making her perfect."

This attractive person was educated by an old Brahman, whose admiration