The episode opens in the grand durbar of King Krishnadevaraya (played masterfully by Manav Gohil ). The tranquility of Vijayanagara is disrupted by a wealthy merchant, Seth Dhanpat , who arrives with an air of victimhood. He accuses a humble goldsmith, Rajan , of stealing a pouch of precious diamonds and emeralds.
The court laughs, confused. Tenali continues, “Ragi flour sticks to grease. And grease comes from our fingers. If the merchant truly handled those jewels just before giving them to the goldsmith, his fingerprints in grease would be on the gems.” Tenali Rama Ep 60
“Now,” Tenali announces, “let us compare the finger marks.” Of course, this is a bluff. Forensic science didn’t exist in Vijayanagara, but the merchant doesn’t know that . The episode opens in the grand durbar of
Tenali smiles. “I don’t need to. Because just yesterday, my friend ‘Minister Vikram’ bought ten uncut diamonds from you. The same diamonds you claimed were stolen. Here is the receipt with your signature.” (Note: Tenali had tricked the merchant into signing a sales receipt during Bhatji’s visit.) The court laughs, confused
He opens the tray. Inside are a bowl of water and a soft cloth. He asks Seth Dhanpat to dip his fingers in the bowl and press them on a clean brass plate. The merchant does so nervously. Tenali then takes out a new set of identical jewels (fake ones, he reveals later) and asks the merchant to hold one.
He addresses the court: “Your Majesty, before we punish the goldsmith, we must ask a simple question. Seth Dhanpat claims the jewels were in a leather pouch inside a silk bag. I asked the goldsmith’s wife what they ate for dinner the night of the supposed theft. She said Ragi mudde (finger millet balls).”