Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c6.22

c6.22

*Gaja Bāhu* We have seen that wars with the Tamils began in 237 B.C., the Sinhalese throne being on several occasions thereafter occupied by Tamil usurpers. In A.D. 113 Gaja Bāhu turned the tables by invading southern India; he brought back 1200 Tamil captives (of whom some were no doubt craftsmen) and settled them in different parts of his kingdom. The annual perahera of the Mahā Dēvale in Kandy still commemorates his victory; it is said that the tooth-relic which now heads the procession was not connected with it before the time of Kirti Śri. At this festival a high place has always been held by the goddess Pattini. Gaja Bāhu had brought back from India her halamba or golden anklet and introduced her worship into Ceylon. Bronze copies of the anklets are kept in Pattini Dēvāles, and an oath taken on them is particularly binding. The national game of amkeliya established in her honour, is still resorted to in times of sickness.†