This volume presents a critical compilation of 576 Tamil inscriptions from the pre-Krishnadevaraya period of the Vijayanagara Empire. The inscriptions offer significant insights into the political organization of the Tamil region, characterized by the dominance of princely viceroys, and provide richer socio-economic details than inscriptions in other languages. Y. Subbarayalu, a distinguished researcher with extensive experience in Indology and epigraphy, meticulously analyzes these primary sources. This work serves as the first part of a two-volume publication, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of the Vijayanagara state's influence in the Tamil area.

This volume is recognized as a foundational contribution to the study of the Vijayanagara Empire's presence in the Tamil region. Scholars will find the detailed presentation of 576 Tamil inscriptions invaluable for understanding the political and socio-economic landscape of the era. The work's significance is amplified by its focus on aspects of governance and daily life that are more richly detailed in Tamil compared to other contemporary inscriptions. As the first part of a two-volume set, it promises to be an essential resource for researchers specializing in South Indian history and epigraphy.