Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa

Vijayabahu I
King of Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa Velakkara inscription of Vijayabahu I
Reign	1055–1110
Coronation	1072/3
Predecessor	Kassapa VII
Successor	Jayabâhu I
Born	1039 Ruhuna
Died	1110 Polonnaruwa
Consort	Lilavati,Thilokasundari
House	Polonnaruwa Kingdom
Father	Moggallana II
Mother	Queen Lokitha

Vijayabahu I (born, Prince Keerthi ) (ruled 1055–1110) was a medieval king of Sri Lanka. Born to a royal bloodline, he grew up at a time when, part of the country was occupied by invaders from the Chola Kingdom of Tamilakam. He assumed rulership of the Ruhuna principality in the southern parts of the country in 1055. Following a seventeen-year-long campaign, he successfully drove the Chola out of the island in 1070, reuniting the country for the first time in over a century. During his reign, he re-established Buddhism in Sri Lanka and repaired much of the damage caused to infrastructure during the wars.

Vijayabahu was born around 1039, by the name of Kitti (Keethi) in Ruhuna principality, the southern part of the country. He was the son of King Moggallana, a ruler of Ruhuna and Queen Lokitha. Sri Lanka was then under control of Chola invaders from South India, but Ruhuna was controlled by Sinhala kings resisting the Chola rule. thumb When he was fifteen years of age Kitti defeated the last of such rulers, Lokissara, with the aim of becoming the king of Ruhuna. Subsequently in 1055, he became king of Ruhuna and attained the name of ‘’’Vijayabahu’’’.

According to the "Panakaduwa Thamba Sannasa" (Panakaduwa inscription which written on copper sheets about the gifts,offerings and given by King Vijayabahu I to his higher military officer) King Vijayabahu I's own words says that prince Kiththi and King Moggallana's whole family was under the protection of "Budalna" (Buddha Raja Naga) and he provided a great support to the king to make the country under the same flag.

The Chola army frequently attacked Vijayabahu’s troops in Ruhuna. However, he managed to free Ruhuna from the Cholas by 1058 and take it under his complete control.

After securing Ruhuna, his intention was to capture Polonnaruwa, the capital of the country. In 1066, he launched the first attack on Polonnaruwa, and captured and held the city for a brief time. However, after receiving reinforcements from South India, the strengthened Chola army attacked again, forcing Vijayabahu to flee.