113992242-Dravidian-Settlements-in-Ceylon-and-the-Beginnings-of-the-Kingdom-of-Jaffna-By-Karthigesu-Indrapala-Complete-Phd-Thesis-University-of-London-1965

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u-kai has some other significance which we are not in a position
to grasp clearly. does not occur only in connection
with the Vs1&ras. In an inscription from frrmdvi, we are
informed of the existence of a regiment called the Mu-kai
Mahsai, who were also known as the Paai-piitta-pafl1yiravar
(The Many Thousands who are armed as a Troop) 4occura
here in a similar sense as Valkii in the names Valañkai
Nahsai and Valaâkai 1a1ickrar It seems likely that NUu-kai
was the name of a group of castes like the Valki and the
Iañkai or of a community given to military pursuits This name
might have been chosen for some reason unknown to us.
Although the Vaikkraa appear to have been the
most prominent of the Dravidian mercenary forces in the island
during this period, there were other Dravidian troops, too.
Of these the Agampai troops deserve mention. It is in the reign
of Parkramabu I that we first hear of the Agampais. The
Ni1ya-sañrahaya mentions their army among the forces despatched
by Par.kramabhu on his foreign expeditions. This Agampai
1. Y.E.R. for 1905, No.120 of 1905 ; LA.Nilakanta Sastri,
'Vijayabhu I, The Liberator of Ceylon', p. 69.
2. 1.E. . for 1911, No. 116k of 1911; see supra, p..
3. u-kai may be a variant of }m-kai (the third hand), the
Valkai and the I1'IkRi being the other two 'hands' (kai), and may
denote a third group of castes, possibly a minor one.