Alagakkonara (Tamil: அழகக்கோன்) or Allegakoen or Alakeshwara[1] is a name of 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 Malayalee origin others say it originated in 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 Jayewardenapura-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 Vira Alakeshwara was taken captive by the Chinese Admiral Zheng He in 1411.[4][5]
Contents |
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] in India following Muslim invasions of his homeland[7] Although the initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy, they eventually accrued political power with the local Gampola Kingdom by the 14th century.[6] This was helped by their conversion to Buddhism following their arrival in the island.[6]
During the 1350‘s 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 Vickramabahu III fortified a marshy region around present day Colombo region, on the marshes to the south of the Kelani River.[8] 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 Buwanekabahu V, 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.[9]
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.[10][11]
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][12]
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 Buwanekabahu V[13] controlled the region from 1386–87 and was followed by Vira Alakesvara 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 to 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, completely diminished its political power.[2][14]