Alagakkonara (Sinhala: අලගක්කෝනාර, lit. 'Alagakkōnāra', Tamil: அழகக்கோன், lit. 'Aḻakakkōṉ'), also known as Alakeshwara,[1] were a prominent feudal family that provided powerful ministers and military rulers during the medieval period in Sri Lanka. Although some historian say that the family was of Tamil origin originated from Madurai or Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India.[2] They arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka.[3] One member of the family is noted for founding the current capital of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as a fort from which he waged a war against encroaching tax collectors from the Jaffna kingdom in the north. The family lost most of its influence after its leader was taken captive by the Ming Dynasty (Chinese) Admiral Zheng He in 1411.[4][5]
The first member of the family to arrive in Sri Lanka was named Nissanka Alagakonara, who migrated to Sri Lanka from a place called Vanchipura[6] or Kanchipuram.[2] Although they initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy, they eventually accrued political power with the local Kingdom of Gampola by the 14th century.[6] This was helped by their conversion to Buddhism following their arrival in the island.[6]
Rise to political dominance
During the 1350s due to periodic invasions of the western region of Sri Lanka by the northern based Jaffna kingdom, many regions had begun to pay tribute and taxes to the Arya Chakaravarthi kings. The third member of the family to figure in historical accounts, known only as Alakesvara, was a minister of the local king Vikramabahu III of Gampola fortified a marshy region around present day Colombo region, on the marshes to the south of the Kelani River.[7] He called the fortress Jayewardhanapura, and the area became known as Kotte, "The fort". By 1369 Alakesvara drove out the tax collectors and attacked the encampments of soldiers from Jaffna kingdom who attempted to invade the Sinhalese kingdoms at Chilaw and Negombo killing a large number of them and forcing the rest to retreat. The Arya Chakaravarthi launched a second invasion attempt during the reign of Bhuvanaikabahu V of Gampola, landing in the southern kingdom by land and sea. Although the king initially fled his capital, his army defeated the force that approached along the ground in Matale. Alakeshwara simultaneously attacked the troops that arrived by sea, routing them at Dematagoda, and destroying their ships at Panadura.[8]
Although most Sinhalese sources mention that he was able to defeat the invaders, there is a conflicting epigraph by the Kings of Jaffna known as the Kotagama inscription detailing how the King of Jaffna had prevailed.[9][10]
Subsequently, local sources are clear that he began to be viewed as a credible leader and overshadowed the actual king and came to be considered as the real power.[5][11]
After Alakeswara’s death, established as between 1382 and 1392, there was disunity in his family with family members fighting each other for power and procession. Kumara Alakesvara, half-brother of king Bhuvanaikabahu V of Gampola[12] controlled the region from 1386–87 and was followed by Vira Alakesvara of Gampola from 1387 onwards until 1391, when he was ousted by the rival claimants relative. He came back to power with the help of foreign mercenaries in 1399. He ruled until 1411 when he confronted the visiting Chinese Admiral Zheng He resulting in a war. Zheng captured and took him to China, returning him to the country a year later. However the humiliation suffered due to this incident, and the decades of infighting within the family, greatly diminished its political power.[2][13]
^"Sri Lanka: A Country Study". Russell R. Ross and Andrea Matles Savada. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
References
de Silva, K. M. (2005). A History of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Vijitha Yapa. p. 782. ISBN955-8095-92-3.
Rasanayagam, Mudaliyar (1926). Ancient Jaffna, being a research into the History of Jaffna from very early times to the Portuguese Period. Everymans Publishers Ltd, Madras (Reprint by New Delhi, AES in 2003). p. 390. ISBN81-206-0210-2.
External links
December 28, 2022
alagakkonara, sinhala, අලගක, alagakkōnāra, tamil, அழகக, aḻakakkōṉ, also, known, alakeshwara, were, prominent, feudal, family, that, provided, powerful, ministers, military, rulers, during, medieval, period, lanka, although, some, historian, that, family, tamil. Alagakkonara Sinhala අලගක ක න ර lit Alagakkōnara Tamil அழகக க ன lit Aḻakakkōṉ also known as Alakeshwara 1 were a prominent feudal family that provided powerful ministers and military rulers during the medieval period in Sri Lanka Although some historian say that the family was of Tamil origin originated from Madurai or Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu India 2 They arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka 3 One member of the family is noted for founding the current capital of Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as a fort from which he waged a war against encroaching tax collectors from the Jaffna kingdom in the north The family lost most of its influence after its leader was taken captive by the Ming Dynasty Chinese Admiral Zheng He in 1411 4 5 Contents 1 Origin of the family 2 Rise to political dominance 3 End of the family s power 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksOrigin of the family EditThe first member of the family to arrive in Sri Lanka was named Nissanka Alagakonara who migrated to Sri Lanka from a place called Vanchipura 6 or Kanchipuram 2 Although they initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy they eventually accrued political power with the local Kingdom of Gampola by the 14th century 6 This was helped by their conversion to Buddhism following their arrival in the island 6 Rise to political dominance EditDuring the 1350s due to periodic invasions of the western region of Sri Lanka by the northern based Jaffna kingdom many regions had begun to pay tribute and taxes to the Arya Chakaravarthi kings The third member of the family to figure in historical accounts known only as Alakesvara was a minister of the local king Vikramabahu III of Gampola fortified a marshy region around present day Colombo region on the marshes to the south of the Kelani River 7 He called the fortress Jayewardhanapura and the area became known as Kotte The fort By 1369 Alakesvara drove out the tax collectors and attacked the encampments of soldiers from Jaffna kingdom who attempted to invade the Sinhalese kingdoms at Chilaw and Negombo killing a large number of them and forcing the rest to retreat The Arya Chakaravarthi launched a second invasion attempt during the reign of Bhuvanaikabahu V of Gampola landing in the southern kingdom by land and sea Although the king initially fled his capital his army defeated the force that approached along the ground in Matale Alakeshwara simultaneously attacked the troops that arrived by sea routing them at Dematagoda and destroying their ships at Panadura 8 Although most Sinhalese sources mention that he was able to defeat the invaders there is a conflicting epigraph by the Kings of Jaffna known as the Kotagama inscription detailing how the King of Jaffna had prevailed 9 10 Subsequently local sources are clear that he began to be viewed as a credible leader and overshadowed the actual king and came to be considered as the real power 5 11 End of the family s power EditMain article Ming Kotte War See also Parakramabahu VI After Alakeswara s death established as between 1382 and 1392 there was disunity in his family with family members fighting each other for power and procession Kumara Alakesvara half brother of king Bhuvanaikabahu V of Gampola 12 controlled the region from 1386 87 and was followed by Vira Alakesvara of Gampola from 1387 onwards until 1391 when he was ousted by the rival claimants relative He came back to power with the help of foreign mercenaries in 1399 He ruled until 1411 when he confronted the visiting Chinese Admiral Zheng He resulting in a war Zheng captured and took him to China returning him to the country a year later However the humiliation suffered due to this incident and the decades of infighting within the family greatly diminished its political power 2 13 Notes Edit Paranavitana History of Ceylon p 296 a b c de Silva A History of Sri Lanka p 138 Paranavitana History of Ceylon p 295 de Silva A History of Sri Lanka p 136 a b de Silva A History of Sri Lanka p 137 a b c de Silva A History of Sri Lanka p 86 Paranavitana History of Ceylon p 299 Paranavitana History of Ceylon p 300 From Devundera to Dedigama S Pathiravithana Archived from the original on 6 November 2007 Retrieved 2007 11 19 Rasanayagm Ancient Jaffna p 364 JAYAWARDHANAPURA THE CAPITAL OF THE KINGDOM OF SRI LANKA G P V Somaratne Archived from the original on 2007 10 16 Retrieved 2007 11 19 Paranavitana History of Ceylon p 301 Sri Lanka A Country Study Russell R Ross and Andrea Matles Savada Retrieved 2007 02 26 References Editde Silva K M 2005 A History of Sri Lanka Colombo Vijitha Yapa p 782 ISBN 955 8095 92 3 Rasanayagam Mudaliyar 1926 Ancient Jaffna being a research into the History of Jaffna from very early times to the Portuguese Period Everymans Publishers Ltd Madras Reprint by New Delhi AES in 2003 p 390 ISBN 81 206 0210 2 External links EditKings of Gampola Sri Lanka The new Parliament Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alagakkonara amp oldid 1098593076, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
