Ellalan
Ellalan (Tamil: எல்லாளன், romanized: Ellāḷaṉ; Sinhala: එළාර, romanized: Eḷāra) was a member of the Tamil Chola dynasty in Southern India, also known as "Manu Needhi Cholan", who upon capturing the throne became king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, in present-day Sri Lanka, from 205 BCE to 161 BCE.
| Ellalan | |
|---|---|
Statue of Ellāḷaṉ in the premises of Madras High Court in Chennai | |
| King of Anuradhapura | |
| Reign | c. 205 – c. 161 BCE |
| Predecessor | Asela |
| Successor | Dutugamunu |
| Born | 235 BCE |
| Died | 161 BCE |
| Issue | Veedhividangan Princess Shardha |
| Dynasty | Chola Dynasty |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Chola Kings and Emperors |
|---|
| Interregnum (c. 200 – c. 848 CE) |
| Related |
Ellalan is traditionally presented as being a just king even by the "'Sinhalese'". The Mahavamsa states that he ruled 'with even justice toward friend and foe, on occasions of disputes at law, and elaborates how he even ordered the execution of his son for killing a calf under his chariot wheels.
Ellalan is a peculiar figure in the history of Sri Lanka and one with particular resonance given the past ethnic strife in the country. Although he was an invader, he is often regarded as one of Sri Lanka's wisest and most just monarchs, as highlighted in the ancient Sinhalese Pali chronicle, the Mahavamsa.
According to the chronicle, even Ellalan's nemesis Dutugamunu had a great respect for him, and ordered a monument be built where Ellalan was cremated after dying in battle. The Dakkhina Stupa was believed to be the tomb of Ellalan. Often referred to as 'the Just King', the Tamil name Ellāḷaṉ means 'the one who rules the boundary".