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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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262<br />

In Paranavitana's op<strong>in</strong>ion, 'all <strong>the</strong>se events appear to have<br />

happened soon after <strong>the</strong> accession <strong>of</strong> }avarma Kulakhara<br />

Pãya'(A.D. l268) The next <strong>in</strong>vasion was led by <strong>the</strong> P4ya<br />

feudatory named L'yaccakkaravartti (Lryacakrav<strong>in</strong>) about<br />

l28k We shall discuss <strong>the</strong>se <strong>in</strong>vasions fully <strong>in</strong> connection<br />

with <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jaffna</strong>. For <strong>the</strong> present,<br />

it is sufficient to note that <strong>the</strong>se frequent <strong>in</strong>vasions brought<br />

<strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r b<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> mercenaries <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r soldiers,<br />

many <strong>of</strong> whom may have stayed beh<strong>in</strong>d <strong>and</strong> found new homes ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> new k<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>in</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>Ceylon</strong> or <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vanni chiefta<strong>in</strong>cies.<br />

As on earlier occasions, <strong>the</strong>se <strong>in</strong>vasions added to <strong>the</strong><br />

strength <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tamil element <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> were, <strong>the</strong>refore,<br />

an important factor <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> Tamil settlements<br />

<strong>in</strong> tbe thirteenth century.<br />

Apart from <strong>the</strong> mercenary elements that went as<br />

<strong>in</strong>vaders, <strong>the</strong>re would have been migrations <strong>of</strong> mercantile communities,<br />

artisans <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r peaceful settlers as well. But, unlike <strong>in</strong><br />

earlier times, very little <strong>in</strong>formation regard<strong>in</strong>g such settlers<br />

is available to us. No <strong>in</strong>scription <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thirteenth century<br />

referr<strong>in</strong>g to any mercantile community has come to light so far.<br />

1. U.C.R.C., I, pt. 2, p. 685.<br />

2. Cv., 90:kk.

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