Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

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Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 132 Rajasiha’s Last Siege on Colombo (1587): (Queyroz) “After capturing Kandy, Rajasiha came with another force to Colombo. This time 61,000 men at arms, divided among 187 captains, and immense crowd of workmen, as he was now the lord of almost the whole island, 10,000 firelocks, 1,600 field musketeers, (musket is a type of gun), 120 war elephants, 2,080 pack aleas, 40,000 oxen to carry provisions, 150 pieces of artillery, some of the caliber 30 and 44 ammunition, military stores for weapons of war. And finally this force encamped within sight of Colombo on the 29 th May, 1587, in such good order in that this matter the best Captain in the world could not have surpassed him. Let Europeans know that these oriental people are not barbarians, except their religion” Ref: Queyroz – (1617 –1680 AD) - Edited for brevity Rajasiha’s Message to Portuguese: During the siege, King Rajasiha sent a message to Portuguese. “Surrender or die”. Portuguese refused to surrender. During this siege food was so scarce inside the Colombo fort, people start to eat dogs and other animals. “Colombo Fort driven by famine which had reduced them to eat horses, elephants, dogs, rats, bats, snakes, floor of wild Palmyra and the contagion increasing with it, the people in a body sought out the Lieutenant and in harsh words they proposed to him either surrender or seek a remedy” Ref: Queyroz – (1617 –1680 AD) - Edited for brevity Ditch to Drain Water in the Lake: (Queyroz Account) “After fortifying himself, Raju reopened the ditch which he had once dug, and dug another fresh very deep and wide, 200 fathoms in length, where by he drained the whole lake and was able easily to bring the approaches within four paces of the wall, and he was so well entrenched with gabions, rubble, stakes, revetments, fortlets and trenches that our artillery did little damage and approaching the bastion of S. Sebastio, he laid mines to it. The batteries with large and small shot never ceased, but kept the praca in constant showers of fire and they replied from the fortalice with equal fury, so that men could not see each other owing to the smoke, or hear each other owing to the noise. Raju continued his bombardments and alarms and our men their assaults from which they always returned victorious and once with a war elephant. Thome de Souza, Captain major of the sea sailed out with 120 soldiers in four foists burnt many laden vessels took captives and the Pagoda (temple) of Dondra Confident in the forces he led, Raju assaulted the city four times with all his might approaching it with mantlets and applying ladders to the walls. On the 4 th of August, 1587 at the drowsy watch they attacked with such great determination that they succeeded in planting banners on the bastion of S. Miguel. Captain Jao Corea hurried with the men of his guard and such was the firing on both sides, that the night became bright day, and our men became the masters of the bastion with great loss to the enemy.
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 133 At the first encounter many were killed on both sides, the siege went on till 18 th February 1588 on which day Manoel Coutinho arrived with a powerful fleet of galleys which had great cavaliers and was determined to attack the enemy trenches. Raju was informed of everything and at the drowsy watch of 21 st February 1588 he raised the siege and burnt his encampments and left.” Ref: Queyroz – (1617 –1680 AD) - Edited for brevity Rebellion in Kandy Against Rajasiha: Veerasundhara Bandara (Father of Konappu Bandara or later King Vimaladharma Suriya) raised a rebellion against Rajasiha. King Rajasiha sent messengers to Veerasundara Bandara promising him Valagama. Veerasundara Bandara came to meet Rajasiha. On his way, a pit was dug and covered with leaves. Veerasundara Bandara fell in the pit and died. Rajasiha kept his promise since Veerasundara Bandara got his Valagama. (“Vala” in Sinhalese means pit). (Rajavaliya) Konappu Bandara Joins Portuguese: When Konappu Bandara heard of his father’s death on the hands of King Rajasiha, he joined the Portuguese. Portuguese sent him to Goa. There he was given a new name, Don John of Austria. In Goa, there was a fencing champion named Gajabahu. No one dares to wear his sword in front of him. He would challenge anyone who wears a sword. The Governer of Goa also respected Gajabahu’s abilities. Konappu Bandara challenged Gajabahu and killed him. Officers of Goa were extremely satisfied. Guerilla Warfare by Portuguese: Portuguese were now completely surrounded by Rajasiha in Colombo. Nevertheless, they were able to travel by ships along the coast and attack Rajasiha’s forces. Thousands of Rajasiha’s men were captured or killed by Portuguese by conducting such surprise attacks. Portuguese Sent Konappu Bandara to Kandy: Portuguese plotted and sent Konappu Bandara with a Portuguese force to Kandy to start a rebellion. As expected Konappu Bandara captured the Kandy kingdom. Then he attacked the Portuguese force who came with him. Major battle occurred in Gannoruwa between the Portuguese and Konappu Bandara. Portuguese were defeated. Konappu Bandara consecrated as Wimala Dharmasuriya, the King of Kandy. New King of Kandy – King Wimala Dharmasuriya: When Konappu Bandara captured power in Kandy, Rajasiha was conducting a siege on the Portuguese. King Rajasiha knew he had to subdue King Wimala Dharmasuriya.
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Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

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