What were the causes behind the Loss of Ceylon?

Ceylon was the greatest net loss of territory for Kulottunga I. Ceylonese attempts to secure freedom from Chola imperialism began even before the days of Virarajendra, when Kitty, a Ceylonese prince, saved the southern part of Ceylon from the Cholas and entrenched himself in Rohana.

Thereafter Chola rule was confined to the northern part of Ceylon only. In AD 1070 Vijayabahu fought the Tamil army and put it to flight. Soon after, a big Chola army was landed in the island and it beat the native army back. But Vijayabahu summoned all his resources and made the Cholas realise that further attempts to hold Ceylon down by force would be futile.

The Mahavamsa states, ‘Vijayabahu the best of kings advanced in the 15th year of his reign to Anuradhapuram’. He restored Buddhism in Ceylon. Thereafter there is no proof of Chola rule anywhere in Ceylon. Kulottunga I no doubt bitterly resented the loss of Ceylon.

He induced the Tamil mercenaries in the Ceylonese armies, a division called the Velaikkaras, to revolt; they did so but even this was firmly put down by Vijayabahu and his prince Virabahu.

The Chola emperor reconciled himself to the loss of Ceylon and even gave one of his daughters by name Suttamalliyar in marriage to Virapperumal, a Ceylonese prince. In the meantime Vikramaditya VI was very friendly to Vijayabahu and he kept up the hostility between the Chola and the Ceylonese as much as possible.

Kulottunga belonged both to Vengi and to the Chola country. It was necessary for him to keep his relations with Vengi above any stress or strain. He left the administration of the Vengi kingdom in the hands of Vijayaditya VII, his uncle and till the latter’s death.

It seems that Vijayaditya was not well disposed towards Kulottunga. But after his demise Kulottunga appointed his son Rajaraja viceroy of Vengi (27th July 1076). But after a year Rajaraja gave up the viceroyalty and his younger brother Virachoda became viceroy and held that office from 1078 to 1084.

After his tenure ended Rajaraja Chodaganga, another son of Kulottunga became viceroy of Vengi. It is not clear why these appointments, withdrawals and reappointments were made. Finally Virachoda was succeeded at Vengi by Vikramachoda another of Kulottunga’s sons who continued in that position till AD 1118 when he was chosen heir apparent to the Chola throne.