Indian Antiquary Vol 45

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

Page 97

89
MAY, 1916] THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
now preferred death to subjection. Mounted on his elephant, the king committed so much wanton destruction that Krishnappa had to give up his idea of sparing his life, and so, when his furious antagonist was cutting the trunk of his terrified elephant, he despatched him by an arrow, thereby giving him an honourable death by the hand of his peer.
The kingdom of Kandy was now at the feet of the conqueror. But Kumara Krishna was a stranger to all the vices of a conqueror. His p derived more solid benefit from his acts as a statesman than his achievements as a soldier. He is described as one of those rare men who deserve the praise that their virtues expanded with their fortune. . He gained the affections of the Singhalese people by his judicious moderation and his careful regard for their feeling. His generous mind held the health of the wounded and the deformed as the object of his special concern. His conscience, guided by the orthodox clergy, ordered that the deceased should be given the honour of state mourning. Placed on an elephant, his body was taken to the capital to receive the proper funeral ceremonies. The combination of clemency with conquest and of moderation with success, elevated the character of Krishnappa in the eyes of mankind, and had the salutary effect of not only pacifying the injured nation, but inducing it to positively invite the conqueror to their capital. He proceeded thither, and during his three days' stay there, made arrangements for the government of the conquered lands. "He sent the late king's family and household, inclusive of children, to a town called Auramgam, in former times the site of royal residence, (probably Anuradhapur) where they were supplied with all necessaries." (Tayl. III, 185). He then appointed his brother-in-law Vijayagopala Naidu as his Viceroy, and left Ceylon for his kingdom, conscious of the superior work he had done and sure of his memory being cherished by men. On his way home, the generous monarch, it is said, showered largesses on various temples to expiate the slaughter of the war.
Its temporary nature.
Such is the account of the celebrated triumph attributed to Krishnappa by the Simhaladvipa Katha. As has been already mentioned its genuineness has been questioned, bat accepted by the historians. But whatever differences may exist in regard to the actual events of the war, there can be no difference in regard to the relations between the two powers thereafter. We do not hear, either in the Madura chronicles or in the chronicles of Ceylon, any mention of such intercourse. At any rate, though this MS. clearly says to the contrary, we do not see it stated anywhere else that the ruler of Kandy acknowledged the Madura ruler. Nor do we hear of any viceroys. The fact thus seems to be that Vijaya Gopal Naik was a temporary officer. He must either have been replaced by a member of the Simhalese royal family or must have been driven out by force. We cannot say when, if so, the Madura viceroy was replaced or driven out. Probably it was in the last period of Krishnappa's rule or, more probably, after his death. However it was, there is no doubt that, when once it was done, the Kandy chiefs hardly recognised the Madura supremacy. Krishnappa's triumph, then, was a momentary affair.
Krishnappa as a ruler.
The rest of the reign of Krishnappa was one of peace, and we have every reason to believe, of prosperity. The people enjoyed the fruits of a strong and paternal government. Their contribution to the State coffers was not excessive, and their material condition, thanks to the large number of irrigation works which Viśvanâtha had constructed and which Krishnappa continued, was one of prosperity. The feeling of discontent was conspicuous by its absence, and Krishnappa signalised his peaceful rule by building a couple