Epigraphia Indica Vol 21

SR No.: 032575
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1931
Total Pages: 398
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 226

No. 31.]
THE PALLAVARAYANPETTAI INSCRIPTION OF RAJADHIRAJA II. 187
These epigraphs confirm and supplement the information given in our record and are, therefore, valuable sources for the history of this war, our knowledge of which, in the absence of any reference to it in Tamil literature, has been hitherto wholly based on the one-sided account of the Ceylonese chronicle Mahāvamsa. In this war the two Chōla generals that took prominent part were, Pallavarayar mentioned in our present record, and after him, Vēdavanam-Uḍaiyān Ammaiyappan alias Annan Pallavarayan, the officer who distributed the lands among the former's relatives. After detailing the events recorded in the present inscription, the Tiruvalangāḍu epigraph sets forth that Vědavanam-Uḍaiyan Ammaiyappan alias Appan Pallavarayan counteracted the subsequent machinations of the Singhalese king. Finding that his attempts to place Vira-Pandya on the Pandya throne were frustrated by the intervention of the Chōla king and that his own generals were defeated and killed, the Singhalese king Parakramabahu1 mobilised his forces in his camps at Uratturai, Pulaichcheri, Mätöṭṭam, Vallikämam," Maṭṭival and other places and was busy preparing his ships for a naval attack. Hearing of this, the Chōla king summoned Śrivallabha,' the nephew of the king of Ceylon and a previous claimant to the throne of Ilam, supplied him with what was necessary and helped him to enter Üratturai, Vallikämam, Maṭṭival and other places with large forces with the result that Pulaichchori, Mätoṭṭam and other villages were destroyed, the elephants stationed therein were captured, more than 20 kādam of land in extent from east to west and 30 kādam of land from south to north in Ila-mandalam was devastated, and among the Singhalese chiefs that were stationed in the region, some were killed and others taken captive. The general VedavaṇamUdaiyar Ammaiyappan alias Annan Pallavarajan then sent for these captives, the booty and the captured elephants and presented them to the Chōla king.
At this stage, the Tiruvalangaḍu inscription states that the Pandya king Kulasekhara, ignoring the good done to him, proved a traitor, made an alliance with the king of Ilam and conspired with him against the Chōlas. In furtherance of this policy, he drove to the north of the river Vellāru the Chōla generals Rajaraja-Karkuḍiyarayan, Rajagambhira-Añjukōṭṭināḍālvān and others that were
1 Parakramabahu (A.D. 1153-1186), the greatest ruler of Ceylon, is remembered chiefly for his activities in building cities, constructing and restoring large tanks and for his imperialistic attempts to extend his authority over Southern India. There is a statue of this king, carved on a rock at Polonnaruwa.
Uratturai is now known by the Dutch name Kayts and is situated on an island to the west of Jaffna. In Singhalese works the place is called Hürā (or Ura)-töta and in the Mahavamsa it is referred to by the name Sükaratittha. It was an important port in the time of Parakramabahu.
Pulaichcheri is the same as Pulacċeri of the Mahavamsa (Ch. 83, V. 17).
Mätöttam is the Mahatittha of the Pali chronicles. In Tamil inscriptions it is called Rajarajapuram (8. I. I. (Texts), Vol. IV, Nos. 1412 and 1414). It is now known as Mantai or Tirukködiévaram and is situated about 6 miles to the east of Mannar. There was a temple called Rajaraja-Isvarattu-Mahadeva in this village (A. R. for 1913, para. 21).
Vallikämam may be identified with Valikkamam about 5 miles to the south-east of Mannar. The village is called Välikagama in the Mahavamsa (Ch. 83, V. 17).
Mattival may be identified with Mattuvil, a village about 10 miles to the east of Jaffna. A sea-port of this name is mentioned in the Mahavamea (Ch. 60, V. 34).
7 The assistance rendered by Sri-Vallabha to the Chōla king is not noticed in the Mahavamsa. In the Tiruvalangadu inscription it is clearly stated that Sri-Vallabha was the nephew (marumagan) of the Singhalese king. He was the son of princess Mitta, sister of Parakramabahu (see genealogical table facing page 59, Ep. Zeylonica, Vol. II). His father Manabharana was a rival of Parakramabahu for the overlordship of Ceylon, and before the latter ascended the throne, there was a protracted struggle between the two claimants for sovereignty. ManaCharana was in the end worsted, but his son does not seem to have been reconciled to the conqueror. It may be said that the Jaffna kings had been the allies of the Chola emperors and so, when help was needed, Sri-Vallabha readily embraced the opportunity. It is not certain whether Sri-Vallabha went to the assistance of the Chola king with the connivance of Parakramabahu. It cannot also be affirmed whether the treachery of Kulasekhara, which stands unexplained in the inscriptions, is in any way to be traced to Sri-Vallabha.