This book examines the fascinating interaction between the Vijayanagara rulers and the Portuguese on the Coromandel coast and its hinterland during?the?sixteenth?century. Vivid descriptions of the territorial, geographical and administrative units, political structures, the agrarian economy, agricultural products, the pre-industrial manufacturing sector, markets, inland trade, overseas com­merce, prices, wages and salaries are given. The study further explores the impact of the Portuguese trade on the economic growth and social change among the various communities by assessing the relative strength and weakness of the system that prevailed in the Coromandel region. The investigation shows that these developments and changes constituted a fundamental turning point in the socio-economic structure of the Coromandel region. The key aspects of the internal developments which took place in the Coromandel region are skillfully linked with the opening of the?Portuguese?colonial?power?in?the?East. The study provides fresh insights into the economic, social and political systems drawing on a wealth of epigraphical-textual material and pre­viously?unexplored?Portuguese?documents?both?in?India?and?in?Europe.