History - Page 1
The Arya Chakravarti Dynasty
In the history of Jaffna, the Thirteenth century was the most significant, an independent Tamil Kingdom was established in this period in (Ilankai) Sri Lanka. The reign of the Arya Chakravarties Dynasty (Emperors) had commenced. The historical evidence of the existence of the Kingdom of Jaffna over four centuries from the 13th to the 16th century, is ample based on local and foreign sources. The Kingdom of Jaffna was known thus because the centre of its power was the Jaffna Peninsula. Though its political boundaries shifted with its changing fortunes, it generally embraced the limits occupied by the Tamil speaking people. Within a few years of its establishment, cultural dividing lines and political frontiers almost coincided. Hence, interchangeably the Kingdom of Jaffna is also referred to as the Tamil Kingdom. More importantly, it began a separate existence as one of the political entities in the Island and entered the struggles with the other Kingdoms for political power. During the height of its power and prosperity during this period, under the Arya Chakravarties it was the dominant and most powerful Kingdom in the Island.
There were many chieftains who were left behind by the Pandyans to rule Jaffna. But when the Kingdom of Jaffna was without a ruler, a well established chieftain named Pandi Malavan of Jaffna, son of Selvarajah of Ponpatti proceeded to Pandya Court in Maduarai. Pandi Malavan was a resident of Ponpatti before his arrival in Jaffna. He prevailed upon Prince Singai Aryan, who had been receiving his training in State Craft at the Royal College in Madurai to take over the throne of Jaffna. He brought Prince Singai Aryan and crowned him King of Jaffna.
The Prince who was known as Vijaya Kalinga Singai Aryan had been variously known as Singai Aryan, Kalinga of Magha and Vijaya Kulangai, because he had a defect in one arm, which is the reason he was called Kulangai. The name Kulangai could have been a misreading in Tamil for “Kalinga.” He was later known as Vijaya Kalinga Singai Arya Chakravarti and was also related to the Royal House of Chola and Ramnad. He set out with his Chief Minister Bhuvaneka Bahu, a Brahmin Priest of the Kasi race Sri Kangathara lyer, his wife Annapoorani Ammal and a large army raised under his auspices followed the young Prince to Jaffna.
The new King soon commenced the task of building a capital city for his regime. It was comprehensive with Palaces for Royalty, mansions for the ministers, dwellings for warriors and stalls for elephants, horses and with flower gardens etc. Temples were built in the four directions around for divine protection. Vaikunda Pillaiyar Temple for the safety of the East, Veerakali Amman Temple for the safety of the West, Kailasa Pillaiyar Temple for the safety of the South, and Saddanatha Temple for the safety of the North. He named his new city "Nallur" which means "Good Place".
He made a triumphant ceremonial entry into his city, with his Queen Thilakavathiyar at an auspicious hour. Upon Coronation, he adopted the Royal name of "Segarajasekaran". He then made a request for pioneer settlers from the Tamil Nadu. At his request some Vellala Chieftains with their families and dependants were sent to Jaffna, by the Tamil Kings of South India, and he settled them in different parts of his new Kingdom of Jaffna.
Vijaya Kalinga Singai Aryan was the founder of the Royal Line of Arya Chakravarti Dynasty of the Kings of Jaffna. He ruled the Tamil Kingdom of Jaffna for over four centuries. He was a Prince and a powerful General who came with a large retinue from the Pandya Kingdom. Arya Chakravartis served both as Army Generals and Ministers under the Pandyans. Because he was a great military leader, he was able to restore. Order and stability in the Kingdom of Jaffna.
Although the early Kings of Jaffna did not style themselves Arya Chakravartis by 12th century this name came into use. There have been many surmises as to how the Kings came to style themselves as Arya Chakravartis.
The origins of the Arya Chakravarti Kings in Jaffna can be traced back to Rameswaram, the southernmost Indian city. Which in the old days belonged to Ganga Dyansty or Ganga Vamsa. Through their matrimonial alliances with the Cholas of Thanjavur it appears the Chakravartis settled down in Rameswaram. Cevvirkkai Nadu is the name of a place in south India, close to Rameswaram, and it is the ancestral home of Arya Chakravartis. They then entered into matrimonial alliances with Brahmins and assumed the title "Arya" as a distinctive honorific. The Arya Chakravarties claimed divine origin from the Sun and the Moon. They claimed to be "Lords of the Universe". The Arya title is to be based on the claim of this line of Kings that they descended from two Brahmins appointed by Sri Rama on his sojourn in Rameswaram after his encounters in Ceylon and the establishment of the Rameswaram Temple. The two Brahmins, tradition has it, exercised supreme authority over a colony of Five hundred and twelve “Panchagrama Vethiayar” of Brahmins brought over from Benaras and settled at Rameswaram Temple, at the instance of Sri Rama.
Sri Rama in recognition of the independent nature of the Tamils and their Kingdom, Sovereignty, and the distinct indigenous national trait, he gracefully directed them to officiate at the temple and invested two of them with the authority of sovereignty. The Royal Insignias granted by Sri Rama to the Tamil Kings were garlands made out of the sweet smelling Tulasi (Holy Basil), the title of the spotless Vedic Arya Emperor, the beautiful White Pearl Parasol, the single spiralled sacred Conch Shell and the Victorious Bull Flag.
A colony of Brahmins at Rameswaram under the administrative control of two chiefs vested with sovereign powers was established. To round off the picture of sovereignty, is the allusion to the Royal emblems conferred on the chief the White Pearl Parasol, the sacred Conch Shell, the Bull Flag and the emblem of the Setu.
Because Rameswaram was under their sway or because the Brahmin progenitor of their dynasty came from Rameswaram they took the legend "Setu" as their emblem and seal. The fact that they called Setukavalan or Setukavalavan, the protectors of Rameswaram (Adams's-Bridge), clearly proves their domino over Rameswaram.
With the changing politics of the later ages and the ineffective hold of the Kings of Jaffna over Rameswaram, a new institution came into being in the year 1604, with the Chief of Ramnad as the new Sethupathy during the reign of Muthukrishnappa Naik of Madurai. The title Sethupathy thus passed from the hands of the Kings of Jaffna to the Raja of Ramnad. The Kings who reigned the Tamil Kingdom up to the 17th century until the Kingdom fell ultimately, in 1621 A.D. into the hands of the first western colonialists Portuguese, claimed that they were descended from two Brahman Kings of Rameswaram.
The Coat of Arms of the Arya Chakravarti bore the recumbent seated bull, with a silver crescent moon, enclosing the golden sun, one white single conch shell which spiral open to the right, in the centre a white pearl parasol and with the legend "Setu" written horizontally below the arms of the seated bull in large Tamil characters. Also on their shield and coins issued by them they bore the word "Setu" as their emblem. On the earlier coins was found the word "Setu" written in Tamil as "
" and the Tamil scholars later wrote the word "Setu" as "
". The recumbent bull with the crescent and sun was represented not only on their Crest but also on their coins, banners and flags. Nandi is the bull form of Lord Siva's energy. It is Siva's favourite vehicle. The Royal flag symbolizing the recumbent bull with a crescent enclosing the sun, one white single conch shell which spiral open to the right, and in the centre above the bull one white pearl parasol. The colour of the Royal flag is golden saffron, with a white border. The Coat of Arms and the Royal flag was created with the help of: Prof. S.Pathmanathan and Prof. S. Sathiyaseelan, History Professors of Sri Lanka.
An importance is the fact that Yarl flag was used by the Kings of Jaffna, earlier then Twelfth century. It was a royal emblem and figured on the flags and banners of the earlier Kings of the Northern Kingdom. After the Twelfth century Arya Chakravarties, Kings of Jaffna used the bull flag only.
Sovereign
The head of the state was the King. The idea of the sovereign as the parent of his people is the basis of Tamil politics. The sovereign can seek no salvation for himself individually, but can obtain it by the faithful discharge of his duty to the highest power, and to his subjects and to all around him. The three great virtues of Tamil Kings were heroism, justice, and charity. Three kinds of drums were sounded indicative of the three different phases of royal activity; the war drum (Vira-Murasu), the justice-drum (Neethi Murasu), and the gift-drum (Kodai Murasu). Such practices were followed by Kumanan of Kudiraimalai, Sri Sanga Bodhi, and illustrious Lanbakanna sovereign, and Elala, the Just.
Royalty
The Arya Chakravartis always had good education to befit their royal status. They learned in the three kinds of Tamil languages, (classic, lyric and dramatic). Princes were sent to South India for their education and there seems to have been a school for princes near Madurai, where it was customary for royal Princes to learn during their period. Prince Pararajasekaran and Prince Segarajasekaran were taken care of by the Royal family at Thirkovil in India and they were taught arts and military sciences. The Princesses were also educated and had a retinue of women attendants. These attendants were skilful artists who amused the King and courtiers with music and dancing. During the reign of the Arya Chakravartis, the Royal families wore an attire of pure silk, gold and precious stones. The Princesses were profusely covered with jewellery. They were adorned with heavily decorated crowns of gold and precious stones, armlets and bracelets made of gold. They wore rings with precious stones. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, members of the Royal family, instead of Orders, Decorations and Medals, were awarded with swords, gold necklaces and gold chains. The Jaffna Princesses were so lovely and cultured that King Senarat of Kandy got two of his sons married to two of the Jaffna Princesses.
Palace
The King always lived in his capital except in times of war. His palace was always splendid. The relatives of the King were the employees in the palace. Doluvaras were the bodyguards of the King. The apartments of the Queen were accessible only to maidens of noble birth.
The Court
For the dispensation of justice the King made his appearance every day in open durbar. He had able ministers to help him in administering the country efficiently to the satisfaction of his people. The bard of the court or the poet laureate was always present at court and his counsels in times of crisis had profound effect. The court was not wanting in jesters who entertained the member of the court.
The Coronation Ceremony
The coronation ceremony was accompanied with great pomp and splendour as was characteristic of that period. At the durbar the King was seated on his golden throne. He was decked in resplendent diamonds and shining jewels, he wore necklaces of gold studded with precious stones and pearls. His armlets were made of gold and precious stones too. On one arm he held the ritual sword, the sign of regal authority and on the other the mace, which was the symbol of power. He was surrounded by his ministers, nobility and his people, when he received anointment at the hands of the, chief priest (purohitar) who showered blessings on him. Whether the verses of the Thiruvempaavai were sung, as was customary in some of the eastern countries, is not clear. The bull flag waved majestically in the air and the Royal couple sat under a white pearl parasol. The Queen on public occasions took her seat on the throne along with the King, but she did not wear a crown.
Crown
The Crown of the Arya Chakravartis, was in conical shape and made of gold and set with valuable stones such as rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
Throne
The throne of the Arya Chakravartis was made of the best available material and adorned with ivory, gold studded with pearls and precious stones of priceless value. To ascend the throne there was a long flight of steps inlaid with ivory. Captain Rebeiro, the Portuguese historian gives a description of one of the imperial thrones of the Kings of Jaffna. Among the other articles in the fortress was the imperial throne which was used by the Kings at their solemn festivals; this consisted of several steps all beautifully carved and inlaid with ivory a rare and costly work which the viceroy had intended to present to the King Dom Sebastian on the occasion of his assuming the sceptre. Every effort was made to remove this but the task was found difficult owing to its great size that finally orders were given that the top alone was the most precious part of all should be broken off and entrusted to some reliable persons to be carried away, as proof of its magnificence.
Administration
The "ur" was both town and village. It formed a unit for administrative purposes. The Thalamaikaran or headman was in charge of the administration of the village. The Adigar was superior to the headman and had to supervise the work of several headmen. These Adidgars were appointed by the King. They were not paid by the crown, but were paid from the contributions of the well to do castes - the Vellalas, the Thanakaras, and the merchant class. Then there was another collective contribution to the King by each caste. Among the Careas the Pattankatti collected a tax on every "dhoney" on its arrival at port. The "Marala" on the dead was levied for the King by the issue of a cremation license. All land was supposed to belong to the King. He granted lands for services rendered either for a stated period or at most for life. In the latter case on the death of the grantee, his heir would as a rule obtain a re-grant on application to the King and on payment of fee. Uliyam services were due from the lower castes who had to work gratis for twelve days in the year on public utility works. If they failed, hey were fined. "Pandarapillai", the tax-collector, went round collecting all dues and contributions. The aged had to supply Palmyra shells for use as fuel at the forges. All wrecked ships on the coasts were the property of the King and Sangili Segarajasekaran seized many Portuguese ship that were stranded off his coasts. Further the Kings of Jaffna had a separate carriage of their own.
Justice was administered free of charge impartially by the village "Panchayat" which consisted of the chief elders of the village. This council acted as a sort of arbitration court. It followed the land custom, the trade custom, and the social custom. The King’s court was the final court of appeal. Punishment in those days were severe even for trivial offences. "Thesawalamai" was the authority in case of land suits.
Tamil militia
During the war time, the Kings of Jaffna often sent their generals to the field, but sometimes the King took the field in person. King Puvi Raja Pandaram took a large force to attack the Fort at Mannar. The Portuguese historian Reberio informs that this King was slain, while defending his Capital Nallur.
The Arya Kings for the purpose of defending their country against all enemies had forts erected at Nallur and Kopay. Kalinga Magha, who was the first Arya Chakravarti of Jaffna and the ruler of Polonnaruwa for more than twenty years, had several forts all over Ceylon and the one at Kayts was held by a very strong garrison. There seems to have been also a fort at Chavakachcheri. Besides, the Arya Kings built a special refuge "Pilathuvaram" (an underground building) with halls and apartments at Thondaiminaru to take shelter in times of emergency.
In ancient times King Elala had many strong forts to defend his territories against Sinhalese attacks, and the one at Vijitanagara had gates and moats all around. The recent archaeological excavations of Matota reveal a moat round that celebrated city.
The fighting men of the King belonged to a military caste among the Tamils- Maravars. The males of this tribe had to undergo military training between the ages of sixteen and twenty four, and thereafter they usually took to the cultivation of the lands allotted to them by the state. Whenever their services were required they left their farms and served in the army. These forces were loyal to the King. The Kondaikaras were a class of efficient troops in the armed forces. In later times the Vadagars were also employed in the King’s services. All these soldiers were not wanting in valour or heroism. Their gallantry were well demonstrated in the bloody battle at Nallur in 1591, when all the valiant guards of the King died fighting to the last man.
The offensive weapons used by Tamil soldiers were swords, spears javelins, and bows and arrows. The Jaffna troops, who fought for the taking of Jayawardena Kotte, were protecting themselves with wicker screens against poisoned darts. In the fourteenth century the armour of the Jaffna troops were coloured and each regiment seems to have had a colour of its own. In 1560 when Sangili’s forces launched repeated onslaughts against the fort at Kopay, they used ladders made of areca nut trees to scale the walls of citadel. In 1618 the Tamil soldiers who fought the Portuguese had sandal protection for their feet. Thus it is clear that this country had a fairly continuous military tradition which served its immediate purpose, but it failed against the superior weapons of European nations.
The Arya Kings had good merchant fleets which helped them even in their military campaigns. When the Kings of Jaffna made preparations to attack Jayawardena Kotte, the King’s ships transported the men and the materials to Colombo.
National Festivals
The Tamils lived in close touch with nature. As in the mainland astronomy and astrology very much influenced their lives. The natural phenomena of New Moon, the entering of the Sun into each sign of the Zodiac, the eclipses, the equinoxes, the solstices were all considered "Punnyakalams" (Holy days). The national festivals were so fixed as to coincide with the natural phenomena.
The "Uttarayanam" (the first six months after the Winter Solstice) was considered health giving bright period for men and animals, because during this period the days became longer and longer. The beginning of the "Uttarayanam" was celebrated by the "Thaipongal" (13th or 14th January) and the "Paddipongal" (cattle festival) on the following day. The "Thaipongal" was also the time for the housewife to cast away her old pots and pans and to get new ones.
The "Dadshanayam" (the second six months after the summer solstice) was considered not a very bright period for men and animals, because the days became shorter and shorter. The beginning of the "Dadshanayam" was celebrated by the "Adipirapoo" (13th or 14th July)
The sun entering into Aries after the Vernal Equinox was the celebration of the New Year (13th or 14th April). As the ancient Tamils like the Romans of old were a nation of yeomen, they had their temple festivals, their marriages, and other celebrations in the bright summer months after their harvest in February and March.
The Saraswathy Puja or Ayudha Puja was celebrated by the ancients in September – October during which period the children were first initiated into the mysteries of letters. It was also a festival of the artisans.
Another celebration on a national scale was the "Deepavali". At a time when the cold winter season sets in with the North-East monsoon in October-November the Tamils celebrated this festival with the wearing of new clothes.
These festivals apart from their social significance had also a religious significance. These religious days (Punnyakalams) from time immemorial were reminders of the moral and spiritual laws that were embodied in the Vedas.
To a Tamil, religion was not departmental; it permeated all his activities. No work was started without invoking the guidance of the Almighty. When all external forms of worship were abolished by the Portuguese and the Dutch, yet this ancient religion of the Tamils survived because religion had become a part of the lives of the people. In the long history of the Tamils they never allowed religious faith to decay. In fact it was kept alive by the supermen who from age to age enlivened and inspired the masses by their lofty lives and teachings. Thus the creative life giving instincts of the Tamils were kept alive through millenniums.
Tamil Medical System
The Tamil medical system that was practised in Jaffna is known as the Siddha system. It was best suited to the climate and economic conditions of the country. The physicians lived in a society where learning was handed from generation to generation. He knew the art of preparing drugs especially those with iron and mercury. The physician was an expert in the purification, calcinations, and oxidation of minerals. He knew the use of alkalise and had an intimate knowledge of plants and their properties. He was a master in treating poisoned conditions as snake-bite which baffles us to-day. The physician was able to dispense medicine free of charge. His methods were cheap, natural, and simple. With the herbs he collected in the district, and with simple drugs he gave rural population good medical aid. The Jaffna physician was a very efficient man for we learn that Crown Prince Paranirupasinghan once went to Kandy and successfully treated a long standing ailment of the Queen.
The Kings of Jaffna encouraged the practice of medicine by getting new books on the subject written by able physicians, and caused them to be revised from time to time by a body of physicians. "Pararajasekaran" and "Segarajasekaran" are books of this category. There was a herbarium at Kalliyankadu where some rare herbs were preserved.
The Maruthuvavalai the best variety of Jaffna plantain was so named because it was grown in the Maruthuva Thoddam (herbarium). Similarly the blue louts (chenkkalanir) a rare variety of louts has been preserved in Jaffna from extinction.
The Arya Chakravarties adopted the alternate throne names "Pararajasekaran" and "Segarajasekaran" following similar customs among the Chola and Pandya Dynasties. Their regime lasted 403 years from 1215. The first twelve monarchs, who succeeded their fathers, were independent monarchs of the Kingdom of Jaffna. The rest of them ruled under the suzerainty of the Portuguese.
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI VIJAYA KULANKAI reigned from 1215 to 1240. He took the throne as SEGARAJASEKARAN (I). King deceased by 1240.
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI KULASEKARAN succeeded his father and reigned from 1240 to 1256 under the throne name PARARAJASEKARAN (I).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI KULOTHUNGA succeeded his father and reigned from 1256 to 1279 under the throne name SEGARAJASEKARN (II).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI VIKRAMA succeeded his father and reigned from 1279 to 1302 under the throne name PARARAJASEKARAN (II).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI VAROTHAYA succeeded his father and reigned from 1302 to 1325 under the throne name SEGARAJASEKARAN (III).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI MARTHANDA succeeded his father and reigned from 1325 to 1348 under the throne name PARARAJASEKARAN (III).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI KUNAPUSHANA succeeded his father and reigned from 1348 to 1371 under the throne name SEGARAJASEKARAN (IV).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI VIROTHAYA succeeded his father and reigned from 1371 to 1380 under the throne name PARARAJASEKARAN (IV).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI JEYAVEERA succeeded his father and reigned from 1380 to 1410 under the throne name SEGARAJASEKARAN (V).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI KUNAVEERA succeeded his father and reigned from 1410 to 1440 under the throne name PARARAJASEKARAN (V).
SINGAI ARYA CHAKRAVARTI KANAGASURIYA son of Singai Arya Chakravarti Kunaveera reigned from 1440 to 1450 under the throne name SEGARAJASEKAN (VI).