Anuradh Liberation War

Combatants| * Sinhalese Revolutionary Force
* Bengali Foreign Legion

*Supported by** Kerala Kingdom

Commanders| * Anuradhana
* Aryan Wijeratne
* Inisek Kolpatau
* Verdean Mijersek
* Ramanakalipa Erpeiner

The **Anuradh Liberation War** was a war fought in the mid-to-late 5th century over control of Serendib Island, between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil Kingdom overlords. The war directly led to the creation of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Anuradh, and forced the Tamils back to the mainland, humiliating the Kingdom.

The conflict had a deep history, reaching back to pre-history. The Tamil ethnicity were the original natives of Serendib, before Bengali foreigners colonised the land circa 500 BC. The Bengali committed various atrocities on the Tamil peoples, decimating their numbers and causing what little were left to flee to the mainland. After the Paḷamu Prakāśaya (Declaration of Sinhalese Independence), the revenge-seeking Tamils took their chance. Conqueror Vijaya II brought the island under foreign rule once again, and it was a terrible reign for Sinhalese. Many atrocities similar to the prehistoric acts were again committed, and the Tamil state asserted their dominance.

## History of the War

### Initial Period

#### Tamian Rebellion

On the 12th of January 459, the workers in mines and farms across Tamiata and parts of Harveata went on organised an armed rebellion. They refused to show up at work that morning, instead gathering in Vijaya Square in the centre of Tamian. The mob grew throughout the morning, as more disgruntled Sinhalese joined. Led by Inisek Kolpatau of the Sinhalese Revolutionary Force, the 5000-strong crowd marched to Governor House and attacked. Tamil military guards were alerted two hours beforehand, and wider mobilisation was put in place across the province as the Sinhalese breached the gates.

Taking the small guard of around 50 soldiers completely by surprise, the group overwhelmed the complex's defences. However, they had delayed the Sinhalese just long enough to allow Governor Verdean Mijersek to evacuate via boat. After discovering Mijersek's escape, the mob set fire to the house and marched on to occupy the city.

#### Rebellion Spreads

By the beginning of February, despite the efforts of the Tamil censors, most Sinhalese had heard of the rebellion and began joining them in their own areas. Anuradhana's SRF was leading the organisation. Every Sinhalese to take up arms was urged to move north, where a line had been established at the Malwatu river. By late April, the war was in full swing.

### Stalemate Period

For the next 16 years, it was a back and forth between the rebellion and the monarchy. Both sides were nearly defeated at some point, and both were facing internal issues. The sheer length of the stalemate led to nearly 20% of people on the island being killed in the war.

### Third Southern Campaign

After scoring three decisive victories at Mihing, Kliaos, and Joesafad, the revolutionaries decided it was time to launch a full scale campaign south, the goal being to take the capital Rahuna. It was a bloody push, but successful. After a year of fighting Anuradhana's forces had reached Rahuna, and breached the city's walls. The Archduke of Serendib Thurene Limisinu committed suicide in his house on the 23rd of November, which is regarded as the real end of the war. The Tamil Kingdom only signed a peace deal more than a month later, on 25th of December, granting the Sinhalese Kingdom independence.

## Aftermath

The war devastated Anuradh, razing many cities to the ground and destroying two-thirds of its farming infrastructure. It is believed as much as one-fifth of the people of Anuradh were killed in the war, more than three quarters of them civilians. Anuradh took well over two decades to stabilise and rebuild, and even by 500 AD it was still shaky.

The Tamil Kingdom was humiliated, and left with its army and navy in tatters. They had an easier time rebuilding as the fighting was not in their heartland, but the hit to their international reputation proved a bitter pill to swallow. Their vassal the Kerala Kingdom declared independence rapidly after the war, and they were hit with various other secessionist movements.