Vijayabā Kollaya

Background

Before his elevation to the throne, prince Vijayabahu lived with his brother Chakrayudabahu,and his wife Kirawelle Mahabiso Bandara, as an associate husband. During their stay at Menikkadawara, the princess gave birth to four princes, Maha Rayigam Bandara who died at a young age, Bhuvanekabahu, Para Rajasinghe, and Mayadunne Raja. Soon after, Chakrayudabahu and his wife died, leaving the three surviving princes in Vijayabahu’s care.

Once Vijayabahu was crowned as King Vijayabahu VI, he married another princess of Kirawelle. She brought with her a boy named Deva Rajasinghe whom Vijayabahu VI adopted. The three princes discovered the plot and with the assistance of the priests, While the two elder princes remained under the care of the Patabenda of Yapa Patuna, prince Mayadunne journeyed to the Kingdom of Kandy where King Jayavira ruled and his queen was Mayadunne’s cousin. With her help, Mayadunne secured the support of King Jayavira who provided Mayadunne the army of Four Korale.

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. As a result, the King was forced to sue for peace

Spoiling of Vijayabahu

The three princes entered the capital with their army. Unknown to them, King Vijayabahu VI had a detachment of sixty chosen soldiers lying in concealment at Rahas Kunda Watta{{#tag:ref|According to Rajavaliya, at Kudawatta.

They plundered the palace, treasury, and the harem. 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 VI was allowed to escape to the upper storey. He locked himself in a room with two of his concubines.

During the night it was decided to assassinate the king. Since none of the Sinhalese dared to shed royal blood, a foreign assassin named Salman was hired to carry out the deed. He killed Vijayabahu VI inside his chamber.

Rebellion of Hapitigama

The following morning, the council of ministers assembled and selected prince Bhuvanekabahu, the eldest prince, to succeed to the throne. Through Aluthkuruwa they arrived at Ambana and Pasonnuwara and raised the standard of rebellion in Hapitigama Korale.

Prince Mayadunne then arrived with an army and swiftly suppressed the uprising, killing both ringleaders. The inhabitants of Hapitigama Korale were harshly punished, and several high-caste nobles were handed over to Pannayo—a member of one of the lowest castes—whose duty was to cut grass for the elephants.

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 Illangakoon, the kingdom was divided into three parts. Youngest prince, Mayadunne, received Sitawaka, Denawaka and Four Korales as Kingdom of Sitawaka while Prince Rayigam Bandara received Raigama, Walallawiti and Pasyodun Korale (excluding the sea ports) as the Principality of Raigama.

Notes

References

Bibliography

1. B. Gunasekara, The Rajavaliya. AES reprint. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1995.
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.
3. S.G. Perera, A history of Ceylon for schools – The Portuguese and Dutch period. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.: Sri Lanka, 1942.

References

1. Rajavaliya p74.
2. Paul E Peiris p63.
3. Later, the king plotted with two of his courtiers, Kandure Bandara and Ekanayake Mudali to make Deva Rajasinghe his heir.S.G.Perera p16.
4. fled from the capital, [[Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte]], and remained hidden in Borales Migomuwa (Boralesgamuwa in Salpiti Korale).Paul E Peiris p64.
5. Rajavaliya p75.
6. Meanwhile, part of King Vijayabahu VII’s army was in favor of the princes and declared “we will not fight against the royal princes”.Rajavaliya p75.
7. |group="note"}} in order to bar the palace gates and to assassinate the princes. 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 asked him about the current situation in the city, the boy innocently revealed the presence of soldiers lying in wait to ambush them. Realizing the danger, the three princes quickly dashed out through the Karandupathi Gate and escaped to rejoin their army. The army was informed of the king’s treachery and resolved to kill him. A game of ''Nirogi'' {{#tag:ref|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.|group="note"}} was organized and the crowds gathered to see it were persuaded to join their cause. Meanwhile, the princes succeeded in winning over the king’s army, and together with the angry mob, both forces stormed the palace.Paul E Peiris p65.
8. However, the succession was contested by King Vijayabahu VI’s sister’s son, Pilesse Widiye Bandara, also known as Vira Suriya. With the support of Mannamperiya, the Aswela Arachchila (the late king’s [[equerry]]) he left Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte with a considerable number of followers.Paul E Peiris p66.
9. Rajavaliya p77.
10. Paul E Peiris p67.
11. These were granted as fiefs by Royal ''sannas'' and they were given the titles as kings while Bhuvanekabahu VII ruled the rest of the territory as emperor.S.G.Perera p17.