Gajabahu's invasion of Chola
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gajabahu's invasion of Chola | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Chola–Sinhalese wars | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
| Gajabahu I | Early Cholas | ||||
King Gajabahu I is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan history. The main event of his reign is considered to be the liberation of 12,000 Sinhalese taken as prisoners to the Chola country during his father's time, and the return of several sacred artifacts to Sri Lanka. However, there is some uncertainty among historical sources regarding the true nature and reality of these events.[1]
The Rajavaliya, a text compiled in the 17th century related to the Kandyan Kingdom, provides a detailed and epic account of King Gajabahu's Indian expedition. According to the Rajavaliya, King Gajabahu, with the assistance of his chief warrior, Nila Maha Yodhaya, went to India by sea with a large army, across the Palk Strait.
King Gajabahu I initially unaware of the Chola invasion that had occurred during his father's reign, in which 12,000 Sinhalese were taken captive. After ascending to the throne, he would often roam the streets at night in disguise. On one such occasion, he learned about the prior Chola attack and the prisoners taken. Determined to avenge this defeat and reclaim the captives, King Gajabahu I swiftly assembled an army for an expedition to the Chola kingdom.
The Rajavaliya further explains this event: Nila Maha Yodhaya, one of King Gajabahu's warriors, split the sea with his club and reached the Chola king's capital. There he attacked and terrified the Chola king's guards, and performed heroic deeds such as catching the elephants in the city and making them fight each other to their deaths. When the ministers informed the king about this havoc in the city, the Chola king asked Gajabahu if the Sinhalese had come to destroy the city. Gajabahu replied, explaining that he had only come with a young boy and no army. Later, when the Chola king asked why he had come without a military force, Gajabahu stated that he had come to reclaim the 12,000 Sinhalese people who had been taken captive by the Chola king during his father's time.
But the Chola king refused this request. Gajabahu then became enraged and immediately threatened to destroy the city and turn it to ashes if he was not given his 12,000 people and another 12,000 (i.e., 24,000) as interest. With this declaration, he demonstrated his power by squeezing water from sand, using his club for the feat. In this way, Gajabahu intimidated the Chola king and received a total of 24,000 people, comprising the Sinhalese captives and an equal number of people as compensation.
In addition, he brought back to Sri Lanka the jeweled anklet of Goddess Pattini, the distinctive symbols of the gods from the four devalas (temples), and the bowl relic (doṇa dhātu) that had been brought during King Valagamba’s time. King Gajabahu then departed, sternly warning the Chola king not to repeat such actions in the future.[1]
