1029 AC - 1040 AC

After the fifth Mahinda Raja was systematically captured and taken as a prisoner by the Cholas, we know that almost the entire island, including Rajarata, came under their control except for a small part of the Rohana region. A study of how they administered this region can be undertaken to some extent based on Chola inscriptions and local sources. Their administrative center was not Anuradhapura but Polonnaruwa. At that time, there was no reason for the Cholas to suspect any other power from a foreign kingdom. The area that could have posed a problem was Rohana, as a resistance movement could have emerged from that region to free the country. Realizing this, they needed to select a central location where such a situation could be easily managed and strongly controlled. The land most suitable for this purpose was Polonnaruwa, which had served as a fortress until then. Accordingly, the Cholas established their center there.
They named their controlled region “Mummadi Chola Mandalam,” and Polonnaruwa was called “Jananatha Mandalam.” From this, it can still be said that the Cholas had secured their authority over Rajarata. However, the Sinhalese, united and hiding through the Rohana region, organized themselves to fight for their national independence, even at the cost of their lives. The fifth Mahinda Raja, who had been captured and taken to the Chola country, had a son named Kashyapa. This young prince, being of a tender age, could not be captured by the Cholas. The people of the country hid this child, protecting him for the sake of the future. The prince was about twelve years old. The Cholas became aware of this. To capture the prince, they sent a formidable army to Rohana. The Mahavamsa records that two prominent Sinhalese leaders had taken positions in Rohana. They were Makkhakuḷa Vasi Kitti and Maragallavaasi Buddha.
The location of the first person has not yet been identified. The word “Makkhakuḷa” has been rendered in Sinhala as “Makuhaṃu” or “Mukuhuṃ,” but it is unclear where the village was actually located. Maragalla is Maragala, which stretches along the present-day Monaragala area in various sections, though collectively it is a large mountainous range. It is a rugged mountain with caves, rocky outcrops, and water resources, making it a place suitable for hiding and expecting protection. It is unclear where Buddhasena resided, though it is thought it could have been in the area of what is now called Seethakanda. The Sinhalese confronted the Chola army, which had spread from Polonnaruwa, led by the two heroic figures mentioned above. These two were skilled in the art of warfare, according to the Mahavamsa.
When the Chola army moved through the Rohana region, the defenders—these two heroes—fortified a place called Palutthagiri and fought for six months, defeating many Chola soldiers. Those Sinhalese who survived were sent to Polonnaruwa.
From this, an important point becomes clear: the heroic sacrifice of the Sinhalese living in the Rohana region for their land, people, and religion. These Sinhalese, a small group living in a small area not under Chola control, faced the numerous Chola invaders with courage. Was the Sinhalese army proud and brave enough to fight to preserve the independence of the country? They were able to prevent the Cholas from reaching Polonnaruwa. Under the determined leadership of the young prince Vikramabahu, the Cholas were repelled. After this, the people of Rohana accepted the prince Kashyapa as Vikramabahu and obeyed his orders. The prince then prepared an army to fight against the Cholas. He also made preparations for the armor, throne, and other necessities. Unfortunately, at the age of twelve, he died in Devundara due to smallpox.
Although the Mahavamsa records this event, the Rajadhiraja Chola’s Mani Mangalam inscription describes a different event. It states that King Vikramabahu was executed by the Cholas. Perhaps the inscription exaggerated the age of the prince mentioned above. The inscription likely intended to highlight the authority of the Rajadhiraja Chola. There is no doubt that after this, the Sinhalese who had gathered around the prince with many future hopes were deeply shaken. They trembled with fear. The Poojawaliya states:
"He, Prince Vikramabahu, in the time of his father the king, having returned to Lanka, killed all the Hun Tamil forces and ruled the kingdom for twelve years."
This account is recorded in the same manner in the Rajaratnakara as well.