King Dutugemunu:

Getting ready for battle

In the Second Century BC, a king named Kelanitissa ruled the west of Sri Lanka from his capital at Kelaniya. It was said that his Queen was having a close relationship with his brother, and the King suspected a monk of being involved in this affair.

The king had this monk put to death in a basin of boiling oil, shocking the entire country. It didn't end there however. Legend says the gods were also angry and caused the ocean to flood the land, in an early day tsunami.

King Kelanitissa later came to regret what he did, and decided to make a sacrifice that would impress his people about the sincerity of his regret, as well as to calm down the gods.

Accordingly, he built a boat of gold, provisioned it with enough supplies for a person for one month - and placed in it, his eldest daughter, Devi. The boat was then sent floating, with an inscription to inform anyone who comes across it that in it was a princess.

Days later, a lone fisherman spotted the strange-looking crate as it floated off Dovera, near Kirinda.

Drawing closer, he read the inscription and carried the news to the King of this southern region, Kavantissa, who resided nearby. The princess was rescued, brought before the king, and given a warm welcome.

Eventually, Kavantissa married her and named her Viharamahadevi as she floated ashore close to a temple. She gave birth to two sons who were to become national heroes later. The eldest, Gemunu, became King Dutugemunu (161-137BC), and united the whole country for the first time, after defeating the Tamil King Elara.

How Gemunu became Dutugemunu

As a prince, Gemunu wanted to launch a battle against Elara. With this idea in mind, he set out with his forces to Kasatota. He remembered what his father, King Kavantissa had told him - that he should not go to war with Elara just then, because the time was not right.

After reaching his destination, Prince Gemunu thought he would force his father to launch an attack against Elara. He sent a message to his father, seeking his permission to cross over to the other side of the Mahaweli River.

When King Kavantissa heard what his son was planning, he was alarmed. He sent a message to his son that Elara had a strong army with over a million soldiers and that it would be better for Gemunu to return.

After reading the message, the prince sent a message back to his father insulting him and calling him a woman for not allowing him to go ahead with the war. Together with this message, he sent his father a pair of bangles and a woman's dress.

The King was infuriated and ordered his men to arrest the Prince and bring him back. He ordered a golden chain to bind and keep his son as a prisoner.

Hearing of this order, the Prince ran away to Gilimale (close to Ratnapura) and went into hiding. In disguise, he made his way to Kotmale and lived with a farming family.

The behaviour and disobedience of the Prince made the people call him Dutta Gamini (Dutu Gemunu or wicked Gamini). The younger Prince, Tissa was then put in command of the King's army.

Dasa Maha Yodayas

King Kavantissa had realised that the task of getting rid of King Elara would not be possible in his lifetime; he was getting old and weak. However, he started building an army for a future war with Elara, with a band of warriors who proved to be very brave. Ten giant warriors (Dasa Maha Yodayas) were recruited; they spent their time practising martial arts.

Prince Gemunu had been pardoned by then, and he and Prince Tissa joined the band of warriors. They received training in archery, swordsmanship and in riding horses and elephants. After recruiting these 10 warriors, King Kavantissa asked each of them to find another 10. In this manner, he increased the strength of his army.

They came from various parts of the country with the aim of driving away the invaders of King Elara. Soon, the army was ready at the capital Mahagama. The men were asked to equip themselves with horses, elephants, chariots and food. The King then sent Prince Tissa with soldiers and chariots to Deeghavapi to guard the country.

We will tell you more about the King and the 10 giant warriors in our next 'Heritage Splendour' article.

Janani Amarasekara