Pandyan invasion of Anuradhapura
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| Pandyan invasion of Anuradhapura | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Pandyan–Sinhalese wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Pandya Kingdom | Anuradhapura Kingdom | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Srimara Srivallabha |
Sena I Mahinda ‡‡ Kassapa ‡‡ | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Heavy | ||||||
The Pandyan invasion of Anuradhapura was a military campaign launched by the Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha against the Anuradhapura kingdom during the reign of Sena I in the mid-9th century CE, generally dated to around 846 CE. The invasion is recorded in the Sri Lankan chronicle Mahavamsa (Culavamsa section) and is corroborated by Pandyan inscriptions such as the Sinnamanur copper plates. The campaign resulted in a decisive Pandyan victory, the sack of Anuradhapura, and a subsequent treaty restoring Sena I to the throne.[2]
The invasion of Anuradhapura was carried out by the Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha during the reign of Sena I (r. 846–866 CE). Pandyan inscriptions, including the Sinnamanur copper plates, refer to victories over the Sinhala country. These claims are supported by the Sri Lankan chronicle Mahavamsa (Culavamsa section), which records a major Pandyan expedition into the island.[3][4][5]
Invasion
According to the Mahavamsa, a large Pandyan force invaded Sri Lanka and advanced through the northern regions, causing widespread devastation. The Sinhalese army confronted the invaders but was defeated in a major engagement. King Sena I, unable to withstand the invasion, fled from the capital to the mountainous Malaya region. Members of the royal family attempted to resist the advancing forces but were ultimately unsuccessful.[6][7][8]