Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c27.2218

v2.c27.2218

For many years the Coḷas held the sovereignty of the city, though the Sinhalese made several vain attempts to drive them out. The Coḷas named the city Jananāthapura and put down all rebellion with a strong hand. Finally, a young prince named Kitti, born about 1039 A.C., assumed the title of Vijayabāhu and determined to rescue Pulatthipura. His first attempts failed, partly owing to rebellion among his own people; but finally, civil war broke out in the Coḷa country itself, and thus, about 1070, he captured Pulatthipura after a great deal of fierce fighting both on sea and land. But, owing to dissensions among his subjects, it was only several years later that he was able to hold his coronation.¹² He renamed the city Jayarājapura, and erected there many religious buildings, chief among which was the Temple of the Tooth Relic.¹³ It was not, however, till the time of Parakkamabāhu I., that Pulatthipura reached the pinnacle of its greatness. He enlarged it to the size of four gāvutas in length and seven in width and called it Parakkamapura. The city had three suburbs—Rājavesībhujanga, Rājakulantaka and Vijita—