Prince Vijayabahu expels Cholas from the country.

Prince Kitti, also known by his official title Vijayabahu, launched a pivotal military campaign to expel the Chola dynasty from Sri Lanka. The Cholas had established control over key parts of the island, including the capital, Anuradhapura, leading to cultural and administrative shifts. Within this period, local resistance grew steadily against the foreign power. Vijayabahu ascended to leadership among this resistance. Born into the Sinhalese royal lineage, he began gathering forces in the southern territories of Sri Lanka. He strategically allied with local chieftains and leveraged dissatisfaction among the populace under Chola rule, fostering a climate ripe for rebellion. After consolidating his power base, Vijayabahu initiated a series of calculated attacks focusing on weakening Chola strongholds. By attacking logistical points and cutting off supply lines, he managed to destabilize the Chola administration. His forces employed guerrilla tactics, conducting swift raids that inflicted heavy casualties and disrupted the Chola's capacity to maintain their dominance. The turning point in Vijayabahu's campaign occurred when his forces laid siege to the Chola-controlled city of Polonnaruwa. The protracted siege drained Chola resources and morale, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of their main contingent back to their homeland in South India. With the retreat of the Chola forces, Vijayabahu declared victory and ascended to the throne as king, establishing the reign of Vijayabahu I. This epochal event marked the end of Chola hegemony in Sri Lanka and the restoration of Sinhalese rule. Economically, it initiated a period of rebuilding and bolstered internal trade. Politically, it reinforced the sovereignty of the Sinhalese monarchy, which then moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa to signify a new era. Culturally, it reinforced Sinhalese and Buddhist traditions that had been under pressure during Chola occupation. Vijayabahu’s successful expulsion of the Cholas had far-reaching implications. It not only restored local governance but also strengthened national identity and cultural continuity in Sri Lanka. #Vijayabahu #SriLankanHistory #CholaDynasty #GuerrillaWarfare #SinhaleseMonarchy #MoofLife