Question

From the chronicle of the Portuguese traveller to India, Fernão Nunes, who visited the Vijayanagar Empire: “He [the King] has also women who wrestle, and others who are astrologers and soothsayers; and he has women who write all the accounts of expenses that are incurred inside the gates, and others whose duty it is to write all the affairs of the kingdom and compare their books with those of the writers outside; he has women also for music, who play instruments and sing.”

What are the different vocations women were involved in as a part of the King’s staff?

Answer 1

Yes, these were the important vocations of women in the King’s staff in the Vijayanagar Empire:

• Wrestlers: Women participated in wrestling and physical activities.
• Astrologers and soothsayers: They studied astrology and predicted future events.
• Accountants: They maintained accounts and managed the king’s expenses.
• Administrative writers: They wrote, recorded, and compared matters related to the administration of the state.
• Musicians and singers: They entertained the royal court through music and singing.

This shows that women in the Vijayanagar Empire were involved in many different occupations, including administrative, intellectual, physical, and artistic activities, and were not limited only to household work.