A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of IndiaSewell, Robert
History
A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India
Sewell, Robert
Vijayanagar (Empire) -- History
[191] -- The chief of Bankapur seems to have been a Mahratta. Nuniz
calls him the "Guym de Bengapor." Albuquerque styles him "King
Vengapor" about A.D. 1512 (Hakluyt edit., iii. 187).
Osorio writes: -- "EST AUTEM VENGAPOR REGIO MEDITERRANEA, CUM ZABAIMI
REGIONE CONTINENS" (p. 263).
Castanheda states that Albuquerque, then Governor-General of Goa,
sent two embassies, one to Vijayanagar and one to "Vengapor," as
if the latter were independent; and adds of the chief of Vengapor,
"His kingdom is a veritable and safe road to Narsinga, and well
supplied with provisions."
Barros speaks of the same event, calling the place "Bengapor"
and stating explicitly that its king was "vassal of Narsinga" (or
Vijayanagar) (Dec. II. l. v. cap. 3). Subsequently, writing of the
chiefs in the same neighbourhood, Barros speaks of two brothers,
"Comogij" and "Appagij" (Dec. III. l. iv. cap. 5), and describing
Krishna Deva Raya's march towards Raichur -- recapitulating the story
and details given by Nuniz -- he speaks of "the Gim of the city
of Bengapor." In l. v. cap. 3 of the same Decade Barros says that
"Bengapor" was "on the road" to Vijayanagar. "Gim," "Guym" and other
names appear to be renderings of the Mahratta honorific "Ji."
Bankapur was one of the most important fortresses in the Karnataka
country, situated forty miles south of Dharwar on the direct road
from Honawar to Vijayanagar. The road from Bhatkal, a favourite
landing-place, first went northwards to Honawar, then inland to
Bankapur, and thence to Banavasi, Ranibennur, and over the plains
to Hospett and Vijayanagar. It was known as early as A.D. 848,
and remained in possession of Hindu rulers down to 1573, when it was
captured by Ali Adil Shah and its beautiful temple destroyed. Firishtah
calls the place "Beekapore" and "Binkapor" (Scott's edit., i. 47,
69, 85, 86, 119, 301, &c).
[192] -- "Commentaries of Afonso Dalboquerque" (Hakluyt edit.,
ii. p. 73). Fr. Luis left Cochin, travelled to Bhatkal, and thence
to Vijayanagar.
[193] -- Dec II. l. v. cap. 3.
[194] -- See also Castanheda, who was in India in 1529
(Lib. iii. cap. 12).
[195] -- As before stated, Firishtah mentions this event (Scott,
i. 225).
[196] -- Purchas's summary of the Portuguese conquest of Goa runs as
follows: "SABAIUS (I.E. the "Sabayo") when he died, left his sonne
IDALCAN (Adil Khan) very young; whereupon his Subjects rebelled,
and the King of Narsinga warred upon him, to dispossesse him of his
Dominion. Albuquerque, taking his opportunitie, besieged and ... took
Goa with the Iland. Which was soon after recovered by Idalcan, comming
with a strong Armie thither, the Portugal flying away by night. But
when the King of Narsinga again invaded Idalcan, He was forced to
resist the more dangerous Enemy, leaving a strong Garrison at Goa,
which yet ALBUQUERK overcame, and sacked the Citie." Purchas's work was
published (folio) in 1626. He merely follows Barros (Dec. I. l. viii
cap. 10).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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