Indian Antiquary Vol 45

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 96

88
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MAY, 1916
sons of the deceased Polygar implored at his feet for pardon and for maintenance, he generously conferred on them the village of Påmbùr, and the wardenship over Paramakudi he granted a few villages for the maintenance of the widows and relations of the deceased chieftin. Krishnappa's sense of discipline, however, demanded a chastisement, and the remaining part of the estate, in consequence, was annexed to the kingdom.22
Krishnappa's conquest of Kandy. The subjugation of this internal revolt was followed by an extensive war with a foreign power, Kandy in Ceylon. Wilson and Taylor suppose that this war never happened. The silence of the Hist. of the Carnatic Governors, of the Mahávania, and of the Polygar memoirs, lends support to this view. But the authority of a Telugu work Sinhaladvipa Ratha compels, by its accurate topography and detailed description, belief in the war. \Vilson and, following him, Taylor balieved that “Simhala" here meant not Ceylon, but either Râmnând or some petty palayam in Tinnevelly. This is, however, against the general meaning attached to the term. At the same time the account therein given distinctly refers to a campaign in Ceylon. The author of the Madura Manual therefore believes that the war was a fact, and it szems tha, this is a conclusion worthy of acceptance. The cause of tho war is uncortain, but the MS. chronicle above montioned attributes it to the old friendship of the Kandy king with Tumbichchi Naik and the insult with which he treated Krishnappa's name. To the Madura monarch, the government of his kingdom did not suffice to occupy his time or his abilities. His ambition aspired to the reputation of a great conquost, and the imprudent attitude of the Kandy king presented him with an opportunity for the accomplishment of his purpose. At the head of a gigantic army formed by the musters of 52 Polygars, he reached the coast. Embarking at the holy Navapáshiinam (the Nine Stones), the remnant of the old Râma Setu, he reached, we are told, Mannar and issued an ultimatum demanding immediate obedience and homage. The king of Kandy was too proud to answer, and Krishnappa gave orders for the advance into the island. At Patalam the van of the Madura army, under the command of Chinna Kesavappa, came into collision with the Singhalese, whose gigantic array of 40,000 troops was commanded by 4 ministers and 8 viceroys (dê janathalu). The battle which followed ended in victory for the Indians. No less than two ministers and five provincial chiefs fell into their hands. The captives, we are told, were so much won by the honourable and humane treatment of the invaders, that they offered to go, in company with two envoys appointed by Křishnappa, to Kandy and persuade their king to conclude peace and pay tribute. They further offered, in case they failed, to come over, with their districts and people, to the allegiance of Madura. Krishnappa consented, and sent two of them with two of his nominees. They proceeded to the Sinhalese capital, gained over the support of the Prime Minister, and represented to the king the necessity for yielding on the ground that the Singhalese soldiers were distinctly inferior in martial training, skill and discipline, to the Vadugas. But the king, more brave than prudent, refused to acknowledge the foreigner. The captives and envoys then returned, and the Kandy king advanced at the head of 60,000 Singhalese and 10,000 " káfirs. "The MS. describes a number of skirmishes between the two armies, till at length a general engagement ensued. It was a well contested and sanguinary struggle, and ended in the defeat of the islanders. 8,000 of the kâfirs fell, and the Singhalese army retreated in confusion. The king and his minister, too proud to turn back,
22 Wilson's Catal.; Taylor's O. H. MSS; Nelson's Madura country,