STRATEGIC STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

5809
Junior officer cadet
MAV DHANUSHKA
BRIEFFLY EXPLAIN THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
UNIFICATION FOUGHT BY KING DUTTAGAMINI WITH KING ELARA
DUTUGAMUNU also spelled DUTTAGAMINI (died 137BCE or 77BCE, Anuradhapura, Sri
Lanka), king of Sri Lanka (101-77BCE or 161-137BCE)
He is remembered as a national hero for temporarily ending domination of the Indian Tamil
Hindus over the Sinhalese, most of whom were Buddhist.
Though a historical figure, details of his life have become indistinguishable from myth, adding
uncertainty to the precise dating of his reign death.
KING ELARA (204BC-164BC) after capturing the throne of Lanka, Elara ruled the country
justly. He ruled the country for 44 years. King Elara had a bell if anyone in trouble, that person
could ring the bell. There are some stories that gives idea about King Elara is a good and
King.
While king Elara’s son was going to Tissa reservoir in a chariot. He accidently went over a calf.
The mother of the calf went and rang the bell. King Elara found out that his son had killed a calf,
and ordered him to same exact way.
An older woman laid rice in her backyard to dry them. Unfortunately unseasonal rain destroy the
rice. Older woman complain to Elara and he started a fast. Sakka the king of all gods found out
about King Elara’s fasting and provided rain only during the rainy season.
Once king Elara riding his chariot accidently hit the chetiya. The king jump out the chariot and
told his ministers to kill him. The ministers said ‘Lord Buddha not approve such an act’. King
Elara asked what else he could do to rectify the damage. The ministers stated that if the King can
repaired the damage to the chetiya that would be enough. King Elara repaired the damage.
Sri Lanka experienced several periods at war during ancient periods.one was the war of
unification. King Dutugemunu after securing the south started the campaign against King
Elara.He built a large army and fought his way up from Mahagama Anuradhapura to unify the
island. His army marched up from magama to Mahiyangana through guththala and yudaganawa.
Elara king had a major fort at Mahiyangana. However during King Dutugamunus march he
destroyed many outposts that belong to King Elara. King Elaras men fled to Anuradhapura and
sheltered inside vijithanagara fortress. Located 25 miles from the Capital, Anuradhapura.
King Dutugemunu set up his camp near vijithanagara fortress. While preparing for the war, King
sent kandula the elephant to attack nandimitra to test his strength. Nandimitra held the elephant
from the tusks and seated the elephant on its rear end. The village where this happened was
named Hasthipura. After this incident, Kandula grabbed big stone and hid it inside his mouth to
attack nandimitra whenever he gets a chance. However, later Kandula had a change of heart by
seeing Nandimitras kind action of saving him after four months of fighting, king Dutugemunu
was able to destroy the fortress. After capturing the fortress King Dutugemunu started march
towards Anuradhapura.
King Elara with his large army came to meet King Dutugemunu. They met near the south gate of
the city. King Elara was mounted on elephant Maha Pabaththa and King Dutugemunu on
Kandula. In the battle between two kings, King dutugamunu Killed King Elara and Subdued
King Elara’s army. After beating King Elara King Dutugamunu marched to the city and
summoned all people and conducted the funeral rights of the fallen King. Consequently after
conquering king Elara, King Dutugemunu overpowered thirty two Tamil kings and brought the
whole country under one Rule.