| Rajasinha I | |
|---|---|
| King of Sitawaka | |
| Reign | 1581-1593 |
| Coronation | 1581 |
| Born | 1544 |
| Birthplace | Sri Lanka |
| Died | 1593 |
| Place of death | Sri Lanka |
| Buried | Sri Lanka |
| Predecessor | Mayadunne |
| Successor | Vimaladharmasuriya I |
| Father | Mayadunne |
Rajasinghe I,[1] was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the Kingdom of Sitawaka from 1581 to 1593. He known for his bravery. Born as Tikiri Banda to King Mayadunne of the Kingdom of Sitawaka, the name "Rajasinha" was given to him after a battle against Portuguese forces. Rajasinha means the King of Lions (or the Lion King).
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While his main battle was against the Portuguese forces in defense of the sovereignty of the Sinhala monarch, he had to battle with numerous internal forces—some regional and individual, supported directly and indirectly by forces from Portugal.
The battle with the Portuguese in Mulleriyawa was the bloodiest fought to date. While the Portuguese held guns and more advanced weapons, the Sinhalese army simply equipped with swords and their ancient fighting methods called Angam Pora, defeated the entire Portuguese army. Accounts indicate the vast paddy field in Mulleriyawa turned red with the blood of the dead Portuguese soldiers. This was the greatest defeat an European army had in an Asian land. It still remains that way.
After the great battle was fought, the young prince "Tikiri Bandara" was throned king under the name Rajasinghe.
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Rajasinha I of Sitawaka
Born: ? 1544 Died: ? 1593 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mayadunne |
King of Sitawaka 1581–1593 |
Succeeded by Vimaladharmasuriya I (Kingdom of Sitawaka annexed by Kingdom of Kandy) |
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