DUTTHAGAMANI

also spelled Dutugmunu died 77 BC, Anuradhapura, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka] king of Ceylon (10177 BC) who is remembered as a national hero for temporarily ending the domination of the Indian Tamil Hindus over the Sinhalese, most of whom were Buddhist. The elder son of a petty Sinhalese king in the southeast, Dutthagamani made plans to campaign against the Tamils in northern Ceylon by organizing 10 young chiefs to attack. His father opposed the plan and had him bound in chains; he escaped, however, and went into exile until after his father's death. He twice fought his brother, Saddha Tissa, and won the crown, as well as the state elephant Kandula, which was instrumental in his later victories. Saddha Tissa penitently returned and pledged his loyalty to Dutthagamani's campaign. Dutthagamani then led his troops and Kandula north to Anuradhapura, where he defeated and killed the Tamil leader Elara. He later defeated Indian-recruited troops led by Elara's nephew Bhalluka and restored Sinhalese control of the entire island. Dutthagamani constructed the 1,600-pillared Brazen Palace in Anuradhapura and commenced building the Ruanveli dagaba, a colossal stupa (shrine) containing the Buddha's begging bowl and many of his bones. Dutthagamani died before the shrine was completed, being deceived into thinking it had been finished by his followers, who had hastily constructed an imitation dome and spire before his death.