Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa
Vijayabahu I | |
---|---|
King of Polonnaruwa | |
Ruhuna, Mummudichola Mandalam, Chola Empire (modern day Polonnaruwa | |
Father | Moggallana of Ruhuna |
Mother | Lokitha |
Religion | Buddhism |
Vijayabahu I (born Prince Keerthi) (ruled 1055–1110), also known as Vijayabahu the Great, was a medieval
Early life
Vijayabahu was born around 1039, by the name of Kitti (Keethi) in
According to the "Panakaduwa Copper " (Panakaduwa inscription which written on copper sheets about the gifts, offerings and given by King Vijayabahu I to his higher military officer) King Vijayabahu I's own words says that Prince Kiththi and King Moggallana's whole family was under the protection of Ruhunu Dandanayaka Sitnaru-bim Budalnavan and he provided a great support to the king to make the country under the same flag.[8]
The Chola army frequently attacked Vijayabahu's troops in Ruhuna. However, he managed to free Ruhuna from the Cholas by 1058 and take it under his complete control.
Revolts against the Cholas
In the 11th century, the
First Battle of Polonnaruwa
After securing Ruhuna, his intention was to capture Polonnaruwa, the capital of the country. In 1066, he launched the first attack on Polonnaruwa,[12] and captured and held the city for a brief time. However, after receiving reinforcements from South India, the strengthened Chola army attacked again, forcing Vijayabahu to flee.[13][14]
He established himself in Wakirigala after this and concentrated on organizing his army for a fresh attempt to capture Polonnaruwa. During this time, he also had to face rebellions from other Sinhala leaders fighting for the throne. Overcoming these rebellions, Vijayabahu continued to muster his armies in order to retake the Capital, but was not strong enough to attempt another attack against the Chola army. He made Katharagama in Ruhuna as his capital and also he started to organize an army to defeat the Cholas.
Second Battle of Polonnaruwa
Civil war broke out during 1069–1070 in the Chola Empire in South India, Tamil Nadu, throwing the country into turmoil.[12] The concerns within Chola empire prevented the empire from focusing on Sri Lanka, providing an opportunity for Vijayabahu to attack again while the Chola forces in Polonnaruwa were more or less isolated. He has gained the support of many kingdoms to defeat the Cholas such as Burma and Pandya who also wanted to defeat Cholas in their kingdom.
Starting from Mahanagakula on the south of the
Ruling of the country
After the victory at Polonnaruwa, Vijayabahu had to face more rebellions. This caused him to delay his coronation, which took place in 1072 or 1073, eighteen years after being crowned as Vijayabahu in Ruhuna and after a
During the Chola rule and the wars, Buddhism in the country had suffered a lot and Buddhist monks were few. Five ordained monks—necessary for the
Vijayabahu also reconstructed a number of tanks in Rajarata destroyed during the wars, in addition to constructing several new tanks. This reconstruction of the irrigation system in Rajarata area was important to the development of the country since the country depended mainly on paddy cultivation.
Around 1084/1085, another quarrel with the Chola kingdom erupted when some ambassadors of Vijayabahu sent to West Chalukya were harassed by them. However, the king's decision for another war against the Chola Empire caused the Velakkara mercenaries serving in Vijayabahu's army to rebel against him.[12] Several generals of the army were killed by the mutineers and the royal palace was burned down. Vijayabahu fled to Wakirigala again but returned to Polonnaruwa and recaptured it, suppressing the rebellion. The rebel leaders were captured and executed.
Vijayabahu is also noted for constructing roads to
He also granted villages and cultivations for the service of the pilgrims and the shrine. This is recorded in the "Ambagamu" inscription which situated by the King Vijayabahu I.Death
Vijayabahu died in 1110, having reigned as king of Sri Lanka for fifty-five years. He was then known as “Mahalu Vijayabahu” (Vijayabahu the old) due to his age and long rule of the country. He is also commonly referred to as Maha Vijayabahu (Vijayabahu the great). The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army is named after him.
See also
- Mahavamsa
- List of monarchs of Sri Lanka
- History of Sri Lanka
- Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
References
- ISBN 978-0-520-04320-6. Retrieved 19 April 2012. "In their expulsion from the island"
- ISBN 978-81-206-0860-3.
- ISBN 978-81-208-0955-0.
- JSTOR 2053272.
When the Cholas were finally driven out of the Island. page 412
- OCLC 2154168.
- ^ "A BRIEF HISTORY OF SRI LANKA". Tim Lambert. localhistories.org. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Indian History with Objective Questions and Historical Maps Twenty-Sixth Edition 2010, South India page 59
- ^ "Panakaduwa Copper Plate Grant". Lanka Pradeepa. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "A solid bedrock of research: The Institutios of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions". International Centre for Ethnic Studies. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
- ISBN 955-551-257-4.
- JSTOR 2053272.
- ^ a b c d "THE POLONNARUWA KINGS". Rhajiv Ratnatunga. lakdiva.org. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Prince Kurukulattaraiyan, Vijayabahu the Great's commander: The Karava of Ceylon, M.D.Raghavan, p.9-10
- ^ Kurukulattaraiyan. "The prince with the golden anklet". Epigraphica Indica. 21, part 5 (38): 220–50.
- ^ "Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka".
- ^ "The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I". www.amazinglanka.com. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- JSTOR 1522637.
- ^ "Adam's Peak:Myth, Legend and Geography". Retrieved 2008-09-12.