Nicolo Conti's Bizenegalia
Nicolo` de' Conti, a merchant from Venice, was possibly the earliest visitor to the kingdom of Vijayanagar. The remains of the historic city of Vijayanagar can be found in present-day Hampi, in the State of Karnataka.
Conti did not write about his extensive travels. We obtained information about his travels in the following way: After returning from India, Nicolo Conti reached Mecca where he was compelled to convert in order to protect his family. Upon arriving in Italy in 1444, he sought absolution from Pope Eugenius IV, who granted it on the condition that Conti truthfully recount his travels to the Pope's secretary, Poggio Bracciolini.
Pero Tafur, a Spanish traveler who met Conti at Mount Sinai, mentioned that Conti's wife was an Indian woman. Sadly, Conti's wife and two of his four children succumbed to the Plague while in Egypt.
Poggio Bracciolini recorded Conti's travels in Latin in his extensive work 'Historia de Varietate Fortunae'. J. Winter Jones translated the part that includes 'Conti's travels' into English for the Hakluyt Society in 1857.
At a young age, Conti went to Damascus in Syria, where he established himself as a merchant. From Damascus, he began his 25-year journey in the East, including India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Sumatra, Java, and the South of China in 1419. The first Indian city he arrived at was Cambay in Gujarat. After a few days of travel, he reached the kingdom of Bizenegalia (Vijayanagar). Conti also visited several places in India, such as Mylapore and Quilon (Kollam), Cochin and Calicut on the Malabar coast in Kerala.
The king of Vijayanagar was the most powerful ruler in India. He had 12000 wives, with 4000 of them always walking alongside him and serving in his kitchen, while another 4000 rode on horseback. The rest traveled in carts and wagons. Among these wives, 2000-3000 had agreed to burn with their lord upon his death, which is considered by them as a great honour.
During another festival, countless lamps of susimanni oil are lit inside the temples and on the roofs outside, which are kept burning day and night. This festival could be Deepavali, the festival of lights.
During a nine-day festival, they set up large beams resembling the masts of small ships along all the highways. Pieces of beautiful cloths interwoven with gold are attached to the upper part of these beams. Each day, a religious man of pious appearance is placed on top of these beams to pray for the favour of god. These men are assailed by the people, who throw oranges, lemons and other fruits at them, all of which they bear very patiently. This is most probably the Mahanavami festival, also known as Dussehra and Navaratri.
There is also a three-day festival, during which they sprinkle passersby, including the king and queen, with saffron water. This is received with laughter by everyone. Conti mentioned the Holi festival, a joyous celebration of color and merriment.
Reference:
The Travels of Nicolo Conti, in the East, in the Early Part of the Fifteenth Century, as related by Poggio Bracciolini, in his work entitled "Historia de Varietate Fortune" translated by J. Winter Jones, In 'India in the Fifteen Century'
Conti did not write about his extensive travels. We obtained information about his travels in the following way: After returning from India, Nicolo Conti reached Mecca where he was compelled to convert in order to protect his family. Upon arriving in Italy in 1444, he sought absolution from Pope Eugenius IV, who granted it on the condition that Conti truthfully recount his travels to the Pope's secretary, Poggio Bracciolini.
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| The ruins of Vijayanagar - Watercolour drawing by Colin MacKenzie - 1801 |
Pero Tafur, a Spanish traveler who met Conti at Mount Sinai, mentioned that Conti's wife was an Indian woman. Sadly, Conti's wife and two of his four children succumbed to the Plague while in Egypt.
Poggio Bracciolini recorded Conti's travels in Latin in his extensive work 'Historia de Varietate Fortunae'. J. Winter Jones translated the part that includes 'Conti's travels' into English for the Hakluyt Society in 1857.
At a young age, Conti went to Damascus in Syria, where he established himself as a merchant. From Damascus, he began his 25-year journey in the East, including India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Sumatra, Java, and the South of China in 1419. The first Indian city he arrived at was Cambay in Gujarat. After a few days of travel, he reached the kingdom of Bizenegalia (Vijayanagar). Conti also visited several places in India, such as Mylapore and Quilon (Kollam), Cochin and Calicut on the Malabar coast in Kerala.
Description of Vijayanagar
It is believed that Nicolo Conti visited Vijayanagar in 1420-21, during the reign of King Deva Raya I. Conti described the city as being situated near towering mountains, spanning a circumference of sixty miles and boasting a population of 90000 men capable of bearing arms. Men were permitted to have multiple wives, who were cremated with them upon their deaths (Sati).The king of Vijayanagar was the most powerful ruler in India. He had 12000 wives, with 4000 of them always walking alongside him and serving in his kitchen, while another 4000 rode on horseback. The rest traveled in carts and wagons. Among these wives, 2000-3000 had agreed to burn with their lord upon his death, which is considered by them as a great honour.
Human Sacrifices: Idol Chariot, Hook Swinging
Once a year, an idol is carried through the city in a grand procession, placed between two chariots and accompanied by a large crowd of devotees. Beautiful young women sing hymns to the god during the procession. Many devotees lay themselves on the ground so that the wheels of the carts may pass over them and potentially crush them to death. They believe this method of death is acceptable to their god. Other devotees, choose to adorn the carts by piercing holes through their bodies, threading a rope through it, and tying themselves to the carts. They then hang dead in the procession, alongside their idol, believing this to be the ultimate act of worship and sacrifice to their gods.Festivals
Conti describes three annual festivals that are particularly solemn. During one of these events, people bathe in rivers or the sea, dress in new clothes, and spend three days singing, dancing, and feasting. This festival may be New Year's Day.During another festival, countless lamps of susimanni oil are lit inside the temples and on the roofs outside, which are kept burning day and night. This festival could be Deepavali, the festival of lights.
During a nine-day festival, they set up large beams resembling the masts of small ships along all the highways. Pieces of beautiful cloths interwoven with gold are attached to the upper part of these beams. Each day, a religious man of pious appearance is placed on top of these beams to pray for the favour of god. These men are assailed by the people, who throw oranges, lemons and other fruits at them, all of which they bear very patiently. This is most probably the Mahanavami festival, also known as Dussehra and Navaratri.
There is also a three-day festival, during which they sprinkle passersby, including the king and queen, with saffron water. This is received with laughter by everyone. Conti mentioned the Holi festival, a joyous celebration of color and merriment.
Marriage Customs
Conti describes how music was associated with social functions in Vijayanagar. Weddings are celebrated with songs, feasts, and the playing of trumpets, flutes, and other instruments. Rich banquets are held throughout the day and night, featuring instruments, dances, and songs. Conti also described the popular folk-stick dance (Dandiya): Some participants sing as they dance in a circle, while others sing in a line, one after the other, exchanging little painted rods. Each person carries two rods and exchanges them with others they meet while turning.Reference:
The Travels of Nicolo Conti, in the East, in the Early Part of the Fifteenth Century, as related by Poggio Bracciolini, in his work entitled "Historia de Varietate Fortune" translated by J. Winter Jones, In 'India in the Fifteen Century'
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