Alagakkonara
Encyclopedia
Alagakkonara or Allegakoen or Alakeshwara 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
. They arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century CE and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka. 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.
in India following Muslim
invasions of his homeland Although the initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy, they eventually accrued political power with the local Gampola Kingdom by the 14th century. This was helped by their conversion to Buddhism following their arrival in the island.
, 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
. 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
.
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.
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.
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.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. Although some historian say that the family was of Malayalee origin others say it originated in Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century CE and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka. 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
Jaffna Kingdom
The Jaffna kingdom , also known as Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of modern northern Sri Lanka was a historic monarchy that came into existence around the town of Jaffna on the Jaffna peninsula after the invasion of Magha, who is said to have been from Kalinga, in India...
in the north. The family lost most of its influence after its leader Vira Alakeshwara was taken captive by the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Admiral Zheng He
Zheng He
Zheng He , also known as Ma Sanbao and Hajji Mahmud Shamsuddin was a Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He or Voyages of Cheng Ho from...
in 1411.
Origin of the family
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 or KanchipuramKanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
in India following Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
invasions of his homeland Although the initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy, they eventually accrued political power with the local Gampola Kingdom by the 14th century. This was helped by their conversion to Buddhism following their arrival in the island.
Rise to political dominance
During the 1350‘s due to periodic invasions of the western region of Sri Lanka by the northern based Jaffna kingdomJaffna Kingdom
The Jaffna kingdom , also known as Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of modern northern Sri Lanka was a historic monarchy that came into existence around the town of Jaffna on the Jaffna peninsula after the invasion of Magha, who is said to have been from Kalinga, in India...
, many regions had begun to pay tribute and taxes to the Arya Chakaravarthi
Arya Chakaravarthi
The Aryacakravarti dynasty were kings of the Jaffna Kingdom in Sri Lanka. The earliest Sri Lankan sources, between 1277 and 1283, mention a military leader of this name as a minister in the services of the Pandyan Empire; he raided the western Sri Lankan coast and took the politically significant...
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
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
region, on the marshes to the south of the Kelani River
Kelani River
The Kelani River is a river in Sri Lanka. Ranking as the fourth longest river in the country, it stretches from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. It covers approximately 80% of the water supply to Colombo. In addition to that, the river is used for transport, fisheries, sewage disposal,...
. 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
Chilaw
Chilaw is a western seaboard town on the island of Sri Lanka.It is a bustling town with a famous fishmarket and beach...
and Negombo
Negombo
Negombo is a town of about 121,933, approximately 37 km north of Colombo, in Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, about 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport...
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
Matale
Matale is a town in the hill country of Sri Lanka, from Colombo and from Kandy. It is an area steeped in history and village living. The mayor of Matale is Hilmy Careem, as of May, 2006....
. Alakeshwara simultaneously attacked the troops that arrived by sea, routing them at Dematagoda
Dematagoda
Dematagoda is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka represented by divisional code 9 . It is surrounded by Borella, Maradana and Kolonnawa. The Baseline Road passes through the Dematagoda.-Schools:* Anurudhdha Balika Maha Vidyalaya* Sevalee Vidyalaya...
, and destroying their ships at Panadura
Panadura
- History :The historic debate 'Panadura Vadaya' was held in this place which is a milestone of the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the initiative of the ven. Migettuwaththe Gunananda Thera.- People and Culture :Panadura is home to about 100,000 citizens...
.
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.
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.
End of the family
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 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 HeZheng He
Zheng He , also known as Ma Sanbao and Hajji Mahmud Shamsuddin was a Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He or Voyages of Cheng Ho from...
resulting in a war
Ming-Kotte War
The Ming-Kotte War was a conflict between the Ming Dynasty of present-day China and the Kingdom of Kotte, a former kingdom located in the southwest of present day Sri Lanka in 1410 or 1411. The war was to stop piracy and a quest for tooth relic of Buddha. Leading 2000 marines, the Chinese admiral...
. 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.