Wijayaba Kollaya

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The Wijayaba Kollaya (Sack of Vijayabahu) took place in the Kingdom of Kotte on the island of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1521. The three sons of King Vijayabahu VI mutinied against their father, killing him, and divided the Kingdom among themselves. The three sons were products of the king's first marriage and were named Bhuvanekabahu (later Bhuvanekabãhu VII of Kotte), Pararajasingha (later Raigam Bandara) and Mayadunne (later Mayadunne of Sitawaka). Queen Kiravella, whom the king married second, had a son named Deva Rajasinghe by her previous marriage. The princes discovered that the king intended to make Devaraja the heir to the throne, at the request of his second queen, and became hostile to the king, and hired a foreigner to murder the king in the palace.

Kingdom of Kotte former country

The Kingdom of Kotte, centered on Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, was a kingdom that flourished in Sri Lanka during the 15th century.

Sri Lanka Island country in South Asia

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. The island is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The legislative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a suburb of the commercial capital and largest city, Colombo.

Contents

Background

Sri Lanka geopolitics - after "Spoiling of Vijayabahu" Sri Lanka geopolitics - after "Spoiling of Vijayabahu".png
Sri Lanka geopolitics - after "Spoiling of Vijayabahu"

Before his elevation to the throne, prince Vijayabahu used to reside with his brother Chakrayudabahu [note 1] , and his wife Kirawelle Mahabiso Bandara, as an associate husband. [2] During their stay at Menikkadawara, the princess gave birth to four princes, Maha Rayigam Bandara who died at a young age, [2] Bhuvanekabahu, Para Rajasinghe, and Mayadunne Raja. Soon Chakrayudabahu and his wife died, leaving the three princes with Vijayabahu. [2]

Raigama Bandara also known as Pararajasinghe was the son of Vijayabahu VII (1521) and brother of Mayadunne and Buvanekabahu VI. When Kingdom of Kotte was divided due to the incident known as "Wijayaba Kollaya", which resulted the assassination of king Vijayabahu, Pararajasinghe became the ruler of Raigama. Raigam Bandara is known as a good ruler who upheld the economy of the Raigama. However, after a battle with Kingdom of Kotte the family of Raigam Bandara had fled to Matara as a result of miscommunication. The fleeing of the family was followed by downfall of the ruler himself. The only straight descendants of the king still live bearing the name of "Mohotti" in Matara and in North Central province.

Mayadunne of Sitawaka Sri Lankan King

Mayadunne (1501–1581) was a king of the Kingdom of Sitawaka, who ruled for 60 years between 1521 and 1581. Mayadunne was a fierce opponent of the Portuguese, who had arrived on the Island in 1505. He devoted his whole life attempting to oust his brother Bhuvanekabahu, the king of Kotte and thereby preserve the independence of Lanka, which was being undermined by the Portuguese intrigue. He constantly invaded the territory of Bhuvanekabahu of Kotte.

Once Vijayabahu was raised to the throne as King Vijayabahu VII, he married another princess of Kirawelle. She brought with her a boy named Deva Rajasinghe whom Vijayabahu adopted. [2] Later King Vijayabahu VII plotted with two of his courtiers, Kandure Bandara and Ekanayake Mudali, in order to make Deva Rajasinghe his heir. [3] The three princes came to know about the plot and with the assistance of the priests [1] , when they then fled from the capital (Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte) and remained hidden in Borales Migomuwa (Boralesgamuwa in Salpiti Korale). [4] From there, prince Mayadunne made his way to the Kingdom of Kandy ruled by King Jayavira whose queen was Mayadunne’s cousin. [4] With her help, Mayadunne managed to secure the assistance of King Jayavira who provided Mayadunne the army of Four Korale. [4]

Bhikkhu male Buddhist monk

A bhikkhu is an ordained male monastic ("monk") in Buddhism. Male and female monastics are members of the Buddhist community.

Kingdom of Kandy

The Kingdom of Kandy was an independent monarchy of the island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century.

Marching down, Mayadunne ravaged Pitigal Korale and camped closed to Kelaniya in the vicinity of Sri Jarawardenapura Kotte. He was joined by his two brothers and together made preparations for war. [4] Meanwhile part of King Vijayabahu VII’s army was in favor of the princes [4] and declared “we will not fight against the royal princes”. [5] As a result, the King was forced to sue for peace [4] and the princes insisted that, the two ministers who were involved with the plot were to be handed over for punishment. Kandure Bandara was flogged to death by their orders but Ekanayake Mudali managed to seek sanctuary with the priests. [6]

Kelaniya

Kelaniya is a suburb of Colombo city in Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River, which runs through the suburb. It is also a religious center for veneration of the figures, Vibhishana and Avalokiteshvara.

Spoiling of Vijayabahu

The three princes entered the capital with their army. Unknown to them, King Vijayabahu had a detachment of sixty chosen soldiers lying in concealment at Rahas Kunda Watta [note 2] in order to bar the palace gates and to assassinate the princes. [4] The unsuspecting princes entered the palace leaving their army outside. On their way, they met young prince Deva Rajasinghe who was seven years old. When Mayadunne inquired about the current events of the city, he innocently told about the soldiers who were waiting to fall up on them. [6] The three princes dashed out, through the Karandupathi gate and escaped to their army. The army was informed about the King’s treachery and decided to kill the King. [4] A game of Nirogi [note 3] was organized and the crowds gathered to see it were persuaded to join their cause. Meanwhile the princes managed to win over the king’s army and both armies broke into the palace, with the angry mob. [7]

They plundered the palace, treasury, [6] and the harem. [7] They burst open the treasure chests and gems, gold, silver, silk, and pearls were looted. Vijayabahu's valuables and royal wardrobe were tossed from hand to hand. However, strict orders were conveyed by beating drums, that none of the citizens were to be harmed so as to prevent looting in the streets. Meanwhile Vijayabahu was allowed to escape to the upper storey. He locked himself in a room with two of his concubines. [7]

During the night it was decided to assassinate the King. However since none of the Sinhalese dared to shed royal blood [note 4] , a foreign assassin called Selemba [note 5] was hired to finish the deed; he killed Vijayabahu inside his chamber. [7]

Rebellion of Hapitigama

The following morning, the council of ministers assembled and selected prince Bhuvanekabahu, the eldest prince, to succeed to the throne. . [7] The succession was challenged by the King Vijayabahu’s sisters’ son, Pilesse Widiye Bandara (also known as Vira Surya). With the assistance of Mannamperiya the Aswela Arachchila (the late king’s equerry [6] ) he left Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte with a considerable number of followers. [8] Through Aluthkuruwa they arrived at Ambana and Pasonnuwara [9] and raised the standard of rebellion in Hapitigama Korale. Prince Mayadunne arrived with an army and subdued the rebellion by killing both the ringleaders. Inhabitants of the Hapitigama Korale were severely punished and several high caste nobles were given over to Pannayo, one of the lowest castes, whose duty was to cut grass for the elephants. [8]

Kingdom Divided

After pacifying the rebellion, a formal coronation took place and Bhuvanekabahu came to the throne as King Buvanekabahu VII. As advised by the chief minister Illangakon the kingdom was divided into three parts. [10] Youngest prince, Mayadunne, received Sitawaka, Denawaka and Four Korales as Kingdom of Sitawaka while Prince Rayigam Bandara received Raygama, Walallawiti and Pasyodun Korale (excluding the sea ports) as the Principality of Raigama. [8] These were granted as fiefs by Royal sannas and they were given the titles as Kings while Bhuvanekabahu ruled the rest of the territory as emperor. [11]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ According to Rajavaliya his name was Sri Rajasinghe [1]
  2. ↑ According to Rajavaliya, at Kudawatta. [6]
  3. ↑ It is believed to be a martial sport. According to Parangi Hatane, Sinahalese troops performed a game of Nirogi at Randenivala after the defeat of the Portuguese army. [4]
  4. ↑ Referring to this claim, historian Paul E Peiris state “..Even to touch the King was an act of profanity. There is still current a story about Rajasinghe II, who in order to test his courtiers, pretended to be in danger of being drowned while bathing in a river. One of the attendants rushed into the water and dragged him on land. He was rewarded for his zeal but was severely punished for is temerity in laying hands on the King instead of waiting for the King to lay hands on him…. [7]
  5. ↑ Salma, according to Rajavaliya. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 Rajavaliya p74.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Paul E Peiris p63.
  3. ↑ S.G.Perera p16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Paul E Peiris p64.
  5. ↑ Rajavaliya p75.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rajavaliya p76.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paul E Peiris p65.
  8. 1 2 3 Paul E Peiris p66.
  9. ↑ Rajavaliya p77.
  10. ↑ Paul E Peiris p67.
  11. ↑ S.G.Perera p17.

Bibliography

  1. B. Gunasekara, The Rajavaliya. AES reprint. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1995. ISBN   81-206-1029-6
  2. Paul E. Peiris, Ceylon the Portuguese Era: being a history of the island for the period, 1505–1658, Volume 1. Tisara Publishers Ltd.: Sri Lanka, 1992.. OCLC   12552979.Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. S.G. Perera, A history of Ceylon for schools – The Portuguese and Dutch period. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.: Sri Lanka, 1942.. OCLC   10531673.Missing or empty |title= (help)
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