Chandrabhanu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chandrabhanu was recorded by the Mahavamsa, the historic chronicle of Sri Lanka to have been a Malay chief who invaded Sri Lanka twice once with poison dart blowing Malay soldiers and then he invaded Sri Lanka yet again with the help of Tamil mercenaries from South India. According to Mahawamsa Tambralinga was his country.

Chandrabhanu invaded Pollonaruwa twice. His first invasion took place from Trincomalee. king Vijayabahu escaped by running and hiding in Kandy.

Chandrabhanu withdrew and settled in Jaffna. He brought mercinaries from Tamil Nadu and attacked Pollonaruwa for a second time. Vijayabahu escaped a second time and established a new capital in Kotte.

Chandabhanu was the first king of Jaffna. He had Tamil soldiers to attack and defend Jaffna Kingdom. He ruled jaffna for 30 years till his death. eventually his son took over. His son was not popular with Tamils. Arya Chakravarthi, a Pandyan King from rameshwaram, wanted to replace him. They invaded Jaffna and killed him in a war. Lankan King gave a tacit approval for the new rulers.

After his death Arya Chakravarthi dynasty ruled Jaffna till the Portuguese invaded jaffna during the latter part of the 16th Century.

Contents

[edit] Who is he

There are number of theories about his origin

  • He was a pirate chief from Malay straights
  • He was a Sailendra prince looking for the tooth relict of Buddha to enhance his prestige
  • He was Malay chief looking for land to conquer and rule

Currently Tambralinga is located at Nakhon Sri Thammarat' is the second-largest city in the south of Thailand (and is located in a province of the same name. The town was formerly know as Ligor, the capital of the ancient Langkasuka kingdom in the 2nd century A.D. Additionally, it was a bustling Srivijaya center as far back as the 13th century.

[edit] Place names in Jaffna

In the local Tamil language, all South East Asians are known as Javar or Javanese. There are number of place names in the Jaffna peninsula which pertains to its South East Asian connections.

  • Chavakacheri -> Javanese Settlement
  • Chavahakottai -> Javanese Fort

[edit] See also

Jaffna Kingdom Sinhala place-names

[edit] References


This South Asian history-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/h/a/Chandrabhanu.html"