Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
185
King Nikapitiye Bandara
Kingdom of Sitawaka
1593 AC - 1593 AC

After the Death of Rajasinghe I – Conflicting Successor Traditions

According to the Alakeshwara war traditions and the account of Fernão de Queirós, after the death of King Rajasinghe I, power was initially claimed by his elder sister Bisso Bandara Devi, whose grandson was said to be Nikapitiye Bandara, and he was installed as ruler.

At the same time, Rajasinghe I’s commander Mannapperuma Mohottala also declared himself king under the title Jayavira Bandara.

Because Jayavira Bandara was believed to have foreign origins, many people rallied in support of Nikapitiye Bandara instead.

However, with Portuguese assistance, Jayavira Bandara later returned and succeeded in capturing both Nikapitiye Bandara and his grandmother. They were subsequently handed over to Christian clergy for conversion. Nikapitiye Bandara was baptized under the name Don Philip.

After this, he was taken to Goa and later to Portugal, where he is said to have studied at the University of Coimbra, eventually dying in 1608 CE.

Some sources also identify Nikapitiye Bandara with Rajasuriya, suggesting that after Rajasinghe I, Rajasuriya (son of the king’s daughter) ruled briefly before Vimaladharmasuriya I established authority.


The “False Nikapitiye Bandara” Incident

Shortly after Nikapitiye Bandara was sent to Portugal, a man from the Nikapitiya village appeared in the Rajarata region claiming to be him. However, this individual was not of royal blood and is described as having been a former kitchen worker in the Katupotha court.

Due to confusion caused by the real Nikapitiye Bandara’s journey to Portugal, many people mistakenly believed that the prince had returned, and a large following gathered around this impostor.

He later engaged in several battles under the command structure of King Senerat, the brother of King Vimaladharmasuriya I, and achieved some victories.

Ultimately, while attempting to attack the Portuguese fortress at Panadura, he was killed due to betrayal by his own followers.


Isura Wickramarachchi
Mahawansa Pradeepikawa

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