Portuguese invasion of Jaffna kingdom (1591)

Part of Wars of Jaffna kingdom

Ethirimana Cinkam saved by a Portuguese captain,
a mural from Maha Saman Devalaya

Date

1591

Location

Nallur, Jaffna

Result

Decisive Portuguese victory

Portuguese killed Puviraja Pandaram and set up Ethirimana Cinkam as a king.
Jaffna kingdom became tributary state

Belligerents

Portuguese Empire

Jaffna kingdom

Commanders and leaders

André Furtado de Mendonça

Puviraja Pandaram

Prince Gago †
Ethirimana Cinkam (WIA)

Strength

4,400 soldiers
(1,400 Portuguese, 3,000 Lascarins)

N/A

Casualties and losses

Few

Heavy

Various weapons and ammunition captured

Decisive Portuguese victory

Portuguese invasion of Jaffna kingdom in 1591 AD was the second expedition against the Jaffna kingdom by the Portuguese. The campaign, led by Captain André Furtado de Mendonça, started from Mannar and continued to Nallur, the capital of the Jaffna kingdom. The Portuguese captured the kingdom, killed the king, and installed Ethirimana Cinkam as the new ruler.

The first expedition against the Jaffna kingdom was partially successful, but the Portuguese did not undertake any further military campaigns until the death of Cankili I. His death created competition for the crown amongst his offspring and opened up the opportunity for the Portuguese to intervene.

Due to the murder of the first son, Cankili's second son Puvirasa Pandaram became king; however, Kasi Nayinar Pararacacekaran forcibly took the kingdom from him. Puvirasa Pandaram then requested help from the Portuguese army, which was stationed in Mannar. The Portuguese captured Kasi Nayinar, imprisoned him, and installed a new ruler. Later, supporters of Kasi Nayinar rescued him, killed the new ruler, and Kasi Nayinar regained the kingdom. The Portuguese assassinated Kasi Nayinar and Periyapillai became the king with their support.

In 1582, Puvirasa Pandaram captured the kingdom and became unfriendly to Portuguese, even though he had previously requested assistance from them. He also continued anti-Portuguese activities, including an unsuccessful attack on Portuguese forces in Mannar in 1591. As a result, the Portuguese prepared to invade Jaffna.

On 26 October 1591, the Portuguese, led by André Furtado, mounted a military campaign against the Jaffna kingdom from Mannar. The forces consisted of 1,400 Portuguese soldiers and 3,000 Lascarins, who sailed with 43 ships and more than 200 small vessels. Jaffna forces were expecting the arrival in Kayts, but the fleet landed in Colombuthurai. With the support of heavy firepower, the first wave of 150 Portuguese soldiers and 200 Lascarins reached land. The first-wave attack favoured the Portuguese, who managed to kill the enemy soldiers and captured two pieces of artillery, more than 300 muskets, various other weapons, and ammunition.

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Wikipedia