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[1] Princess Shardha
Dynasty
Chola Dynasty
Religion
Hinduism[2]
Chola Kings and Emperors
Early Cholas
Ellalan
205 BCE– c. 161 BCE
Kulakkottan
Ilamchetchenni
Karikala
Nedunkilli
Nalankilli
Killivalavan
Kopperuncholan
Kochchenganan
Perunarkilli
Interregnum (c. 200 – c. 848 CE)
Medieval Cholas
Vijayalaya
848–871?
Aditya I
871–907
Parantaka I
907–955
Rajaditya Chola
935–949
Gandaraditya
949–962
Arinjaya
955–956
Parantaka II (Sundara)
950–980
Aditya II (Karikala)
966–971
Uttama
971–987
Rajaraja I
985–1014
Rajendra I
1012–1044
Rajadhiraja
1018–1054
Rajendra II
1051–1063
Rajamahendra
1060–1063
Virarajendra
1063–1070
Athirajendra
1067–1070
Later Cholas
Kulothunga I
1070–1120
Vikrama
1118–1135
Kulothunga II
1133–1150
Rajaraja II
1146–1173
Rajadhiraja II
1166–1178
Kulothunga III
1178–1218
Rajaraja III
1216–1256
Rajendra III
1246–1279
Related
Related dynasties
Telugu Chodas of Andhra
Chodagangas of Kalinga
Nidugal Cholas of Karnataka
Rajahnate of Cebu
Rajahnate of Sanmalan
Chola society
Ganges Expedition
Chola government
Chola military
Chola Navy
Chola art and architecture
Chola literature
Flag of Chola
Great Living Chola Temples
Solesvara Temples
Poompuhar
Uraiyur
Melakadambur
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Thanjavur
Tiruvarur
Legendary early Chola kings
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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.[3]
Ellalan is traditionally presented as being a just king even by the "'Sinhalese'".[4] The Mahavamsa states that he ruled 'with even justice toward friend and foe, on occasions of disputes at law,[5] 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".
^"From the annals of history". The Hindu. India. 25 June 2010.
^Paramu Pusparaṭṇam (2002). Ancient Coins of Sri Lankan Tamil Rulers. p. 92. The Mahāvamsa ( XXI : 15-34 ) talks high of the just and righteous regime of Ellālan . He followed the Hindu religion but did not persecute the Buddhists.
^Allen, C. (2017). Coromandel: A Personal History of South India. Little, Brown Book Group. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-4087-0540-7. Retrieved 10 October 2022. A later chapter of the 'Great Chronicle' describes how the Chola prince Elara (Ellalan) of Thiruvarur invaded and captured the throne of Lanka in about 205 BCE but was later killed in battle by the Sinhala prince Dutugamunu in about 161
Ellalan (Tamil: எல்லாளன், romanized: Ellāḷaṉ; Sinhala: එළාර, romanized: Eḷāra) was a member of the Tamil Chola dynasty in Southern India, also known as...
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; Tamil: தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், romanized: Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, Sinhala: දෙමළ ඊලාම් විමුක්ති කොටි...
(timeshare), a building on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S Ellalan, or Eḷāra, a member of the Tamil Chola dynasty and monarch of the Anuradhapura...
early Chola capital. The Mahavamsa mentions that a Chola prince known as Ellalan, invaded the Rajarata kingdom of Sri Lanka and conquered it in 235 BCE...
who became king of Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elāra (Ellalan) was defeated. It is also known as Swarnamali Seya, Svaṇṇamāli Mahaceti...
Cave no. 2 at Dambulla Viharaya, King Dutugemunu on his campaign against Ellalan- an invading South Indian ruler- in 162 BC is depicted with a banner containing...
by Sri Lankan king Dutthagamani against the invading South Indian king Ellalan. The battle is documented in detail in the ancient chronicles of the country...
This structure was for centuries locally known as the tomb stone of king Ellalan, known as Elara Sohona, which was worshipped by Tamils and Sinhalese. However...
written of the war of 205 BC to 161 BC between Sinhala King Dutugemunu and Ellalan for the city of Anuradhapura, and the central role played by Dutugemunu's...
fishermen. In Mahavamsa, a historical poem, ethnic Tamil adventurers such as Ellalan invaded the island around 145 BCE. Early Chola king Karikalan, son of Eelamcetcenni...
reign of Dutthagamani who, in 161 BC, defeated the South Indian invader Ellalan re-establishing Buddhism in place of Brahminism and endowed the site with...
Anuradhapura was again invaded by a Tamil, Tamil trader from South India named Ellalan killing Asela. List of Sri Lankan monarchs Senaveratna, John M. (1997)...
leaflets under the names "Prabaaharan Padai", "Sangiliyan Padai" and "Ellalan Padai" demanding the police to leave the Northern Province as revenge for...
Anuradhapura kingdom. In 145 BCE Elara, a Chola general or prince known as Ellāḷaṉ[non-primary source needed] took over the throne at Anuradhapura and ruled...
epic poet and dramatist Gnaeus Naevius is performed for the first time. Ellalan, king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom (d. 161 BC) Aristippus, Greek tyrant...
was in turn overthrown by another invasion led by a Chola prince named Ellalan (205–161 BC). Elara ruled for 44 years before being defeated by Dutthagamani...
several tourists and local and foreign travel agencies received calls from Ellalan Force, a front organisation of LTTE, to boycott Sri Lanka. Eleven LTTE...
Babylonia. 161 BC: Battle of Vijithapura: Dutthagamani defeats the Tamil King Ellalan. Demetrius I Soter seizes the Seleucid throne, beginning a succession war...
King Dutugamunu's mount and Maha Pambata, 'Big Rock', the mount of King Ellalan during their historic encounter on the battlefield in 200 BC, for example...
Pambata, or 'Big Rock' is a famous war elephant belonging to the Tamil King Ellalan (c.235 BCE - 161 BCE). In Sri Lanka, it was not uncommon in antiquity for...
present in Southern India before the arrival of Buddhism and Jainism as Ellalan a Tamil King who invaded Sri Lanka in the year 205 BCE is identified by...
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