Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi.
The grand coronation of Vijay Deva Raya in the magnificent Vijayanagara Empire was a very special event. People from all over gathered to see their new king take the throne. The ceremony took place on a beautiful stage decorated with colourful flowers and fancy fabrics.
A respected priest named Raghavendra Bhat led the ceremony and made sure everything went smoothly. Vijay Deva Raya's maternal grandfather, Sunil Shetty, and his uncle, Ravi Shetty, were there to support him and show their love. They wanted to make sure Vijay knew they were proud of him.
Two important military leaders named Ramaiah Senapati and Narasimha Nayak also joined the celebration. They were strong and brave warriors who protected the empire and its people.
Not only were their people from Vijayanagara but also representatives from other places. The Maratha Confederation, the Mughal Empire, and even some business people from the Netherlands came to congratulate Vijay Deva Raya.
Raghavendra Bhat spoke to Vijay Deva Raya in a serious and important voice. He said, "Today, you become the ruler of our empire. May the gods bless you with wisdom and kindness as you lead our people."
Vijay Deva Raya felt honoured and determined. He promised to be a fair and just king, to protect his people, and to make it a strong empire
The priest performed some special rituals and put a crown on Vijay Deva Raya's head. Everyone cheered and clapped, and the drums played exciting beats.
Representatives from different places came forward to congratulate Vijay Deva Raya.
Vijay Deva Raya stood in front of the crowd and spoke to his people. He thanked them for their support and promised to lead the empire with their best interests at heart.
Everyone in the crowd was happy and excited. They knew that with Vijay Deva Raya as their king, the empire would continue to grow and prosper.
The coronation of Vijay Deva Raya was a special moment in the history of the Vijayanagara Empire. It marked the beginning of a new era, filled with hope and dreams for a bright future.
A few days had passed since Vijay's coronation, which had left him feeling overwhelmed. But as the days went by, he started experiencing intense headaches and bouts of dizziness.
Opening his eyes groggily, Vijay found Aunt Mina by his side, her face filled with concern. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?" she asked, worriedly.
Feeling a bit disoriented, Vijay reassured her, "I'm okay, Aunt. It might just be the stress from the coronation taking its toll on me."
Aunt Mina gently wiped the sweat from his face and hurriedly left the room to fetch a doctor. "Please lie down, Your Highness. I'll go get a doctor," she urged.
As Vijay watched her leave, he reflected on the real reason behind his sudden fainting spells. It was the awakening of his extraordinary ability, which he called his "golden finger." Now, he had the incredible power to remember all the technological knowledge from his past life and share it with others through inspiration and ideas. It was a precious gift that would save him from explaining every change he planned to make.
But this newfound ability came at a cost. It drained his energy and left him feeling depleted of nutrients. It seemed his appetite would become insatiable, requiring him to eat significantly more.
Lost in thought, Vijay was startled by the sound of the door clicking open. The doctor entered the room and conducted a thorough examination. To his surprise, the doctor gave an unexpected diagnosis.
"Your Majesty, you have a condition called Madhumeha, (aka diabetes in 17th century india). It's crucial that you eat well, as it can be life-threatening if not properly managed."
Observing Aunt Mina's worried expression, Vijay reassured her, "Don't worry, Aunt. I'll be fine."
Aunt Mina's face showed deep concern as she pleaded, "Please take care, Your Majesty. You are the last remaining member of the Raya family, and the kingdom would be in chaos if something were to happen to you."
Vijay felt touched by her care but also uncomfortable with the "Your Majesty" address. at first, he felt it was novel, but now he is sick of it ."You don't have to call me that. Just call me Vijay, like you always have. After all, you practically raised me," he implored.
Unfortunately, Aunt Mina firmly responded, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but as the king of the country, it's important to show respect. I must refrain from such familiarity."
Several days had passed since his awakening, and Vijay now felt well-rested. He decided to leave his room and head to the office, where he could delve into the kingdom's affairs and its people.
"Long live Your Majesty!" Butler Ravichandra greeted him with a deep bow.
"Please, Uncle Ravi, no need for formalities between us," Vijay requested, tired of the constant ceremonial treatment.
Uncle Ravi remained dedicated to his role. "You are the king of this empire now, Your Highness. Your position deserves the utmost respect," he replied.
Hearing those familiar words, Vijay sighed and gave up, "Very well, Uncle Ravi. Please provide me with detailed information about the kingdom and its people."
The butler nodded and swiftly fetched the ledger and census books, ready to assist Vijay in exploring the kingdom's affairs.
Land Area: The land area of the Vijayanagara empire is approximately 700,000 square kilometers, encompassing a diverse range of landscapes, including coastal plains, hills, plateaus, and mountain ranges.
Agriculture Area: Approximately 60% of the land area in Vijayanagara empire can be used for agriculture. The fertile regions along the river deltas of the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri support extensive cultivation of crops such as rice, millets, pulses, spices, sugarcane, and cotton.
Mineral Resources: Vijayanagara empire is rich in mineral resources. The region boasts substantial reserves of iron ore, manganese, bauxite, limestone, and granite. These resources serve as valuable assets for infrastructure development, construction, and manufacturing industries.
Population: The population of Vijayanagara empire stands at around 40 million people. This diverse population comprises various ethnicities, languages, and cultural groups, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the region.
Religious Demographics: In terms of religious demographics, approximately 80% of the population in South India identifies as Hindu, while the Muslim community comprises around 15% of the populace. The remaining 5% includes followers of other religions and diverse belief systems, fostering religious harmony and cultural diversity.
Fiscal Revenue: With taxes and subsidies supporting the farming sector, agriculture forms a significant portion of the economy, generating an estimated annual fiscal revenue of over 20 million Varaha (100 tons of gold) for the Vijayanagara Empire.
End of Chapter 3.