Question

Name the king who invaded Sri Lanka? Whom did he defeat?

Answer 1

Hint: The Pandyan Kingdom had a significant place in the medieval history of India. Its capital was Madurai (Tamilnadu). Madurai and Korkai, a port city, were the important centers of trade and commerce during the Pandyan period. The Sangam period flourished to a great extent under the patronage of the Pandyan dynasty.

Complete Answer:
Pandyan King, Srimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka in the ninth century. He defeated Sri Lankan King Sena I. Later on, Sena II attacked Madurai and took the Buddha Statue back to Sri Lanka. Samara was also recognized as the Parachakra Kolhala that means the confounder of the circle of his enemies. His father was Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan (Varaguna I). During his invasion of Sri Lanka, he captured the city of Anuradhapura. Consequently, Sena, I was forced to surrender to the Pandyan king by making terms with them. Then, the Pandyan forces came back to their territory from Sri Lanka. Samara also struggled with the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Rashtakuas, and the Ganges. He was defeated by an alliance of these kingdoms. However, Samara defeated the Pallava alliance near Kumbakonam in 859 A.D. But again the Pallava king Nripatunga defeated him in the battle of Archil.

Note: At the capital city of Pandyan kings, Madurai, the first and the third Sangam was held. Their emblem was Fish. They were known to keep a regular army. Samara defeated the Jewel Palace while invading Sri Lanka. Then he proceeded to destroy monasteries. Hence, the kings used to show his power and might through destruction and acquiring the opponents’ wealth and territories.