marched towards Devaraconda. As they thus stood on both sides, the army led by Aleti Peddanna had no means of escape and became prisoners.
7. These prisoners came to (A. P.) Ramapa Nayu and said Sir, we are [mercenary] swordsmen. Whoever gives us employ, we serve him faithfully and perform the duty he gives us. Nothing else. The chiefs who assembled us have fled: what can be effected by us?
So (A. P.) Ramapa N. called together his head people and said These are simple folks: [lit: mere men] what have we to do with them. Take half a crown[1] apiece, as a poll[2] tax from them, and set them at liberty with their weapons. Such being his command, they accordingly paid the poll tax and went to Tādimarri.
8. Siddappa Nayu was taken prisoner (lit: was found) near Devaraconda, whence [A. P. Ramapa] brought him and secured him in the fort. Through fury he refused meat and drink and died. The public not knowing this, say that he was put to death by strangling.
9. After this Siddappa Nayu was dead, his wife Bhadramma, through heart-grief at her husband being slain, spoke to her husband's brother, (A. P.) Ramapa N. saying, It is a longtime since I have seen my elder sister; if you permit me I will visit her. He therefore sent her; giving some of his people to accompany her.[3] Bhadramma therefore set out and arrived at Bellari. She did not again return to this Ramapa of Anantapur; but she remained there.
Then the chief of Anantapuram wrote to him of Bellari,[4] requesting that "our lady Bhadramma" should be sent home again. He on reading the letter, returned an answer saying, To her ladyship can there be any difference between that place and this place? After, six months we will send [her back again to you]. But the men went with her returned home to Anantapuram.
- ↑ Timma nayuni māda. The mada is a half pagoda: about two rupees. This particular coin is named, as it seems, from the person, Tuimma-nayu, who first used it. It is now unknown.
- ↑ Zuttu is the lock of hair worn by each man: pannu is a tax.
- ↑ Page 22.
- ↑ In the original, "Anantapuram Ramapa wrote to Bellari Ramapa." The similarity of names makes it convenient to use another mode.
