Migapulle Arachchi
Encyclopedia
Migapulle Arachchi also Dom Luis Migapulle Arachchi or Chinna Migapillai was a rebel leader from the Jaffna Kingdom
just after its annexation by the Portuguese Empire
in 1619. Initially he began as a pro-Portuguese feudal lord (or mudaliyar in Tamil
) who opposed the usurper Cankili II
but after Cankili's defeat he turned against Portuguese rule. In March 1620, he invited Thanjavur Nayak king Raghunatha Nayak to send in troops to liberate the territory. Local people anxious to rid the country of foreigners rose in support. The rebellion lasted a month and was finally defeated with the arrival of reinforcements from Portuguese holdings in Colombo
and Nagapattinam
. Migapulle also led a second rebellion in December of 1620 with the help of Thanjavur Nayak's and local support. It was finally defeated in February of 1621 by Felipe de Oliveira the captain major of Jaffna.The rebellion was put down with excessive brutality against the civilian population including mass murder and mutilations.
Jaffna Kingdom
The Jaffna kingdom , also known as Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of modern northern Sri Lanka was a historic monarchy that came into existence around the town of Jaffna on the Jaffna peninsula after the invasion of Magha, who is said to have been from Kalinga, in India...
just after its annexation by the Portuguese Empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
in 1619. Initially he began as a pro-Portuguese feudal lord (or mudaliyar in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
) who opposed the usurper Cankili II
Cankili II
Cankili II was the self-proclaimed last king of the Jaffna kingdom and was a usurper who came to throne with a palace massacre of the royal princess and the regent Arasakesari in 1617. His regency was rejected by the Portuguese colonials in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
but after Cankili's defeat he turned against Portuguese rule. In March 1620, he invited Thanjavur Nayak king Raghunatha Nayak to send in troops to liberate the territory. Local people anxious to rid the country of foreigners rose in support. The rebellion lasted a month and was finally defeated with the arrival of reinforcements from Portuguese holdings in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Nagapattinam District. It is a prominent seaport on the east coast of India and an important centre of trade and commerce.The town of Nagapattinam dates back to the Sangam period...
. Migapulle also led a second rebellion in December of 1620 with the help of Thanjavur Nayak's and local support. It was finally defeated in February of 1621 by Felipe de Oliveira the captain major of Jaffna.The rebellion was put down with excessive brutality against the civilian population including mass murder and mutilations.