Arya Chakaravartis dynasty

Indian dynasty

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June 11, 2026

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The Arya Chakaravartis were a dynasty that seized power in the north of Sri Lanka. This occurred as the traditional Sinhalese kingdom, which had been centered in Polonnaruwa, weakened and its ruling class gravitated to defensible areas in the southwest. By the early 14th century, the Arya Chakaravartis had established a Tamil kingdom with its capital at Nallur, in the Jaffna Peninsula. This kingdom expanded southward, leading to ongoing conflict with the Sinhalese kingdoms. The island's political division made it vulnerable to foreign invasions from powers like the Pandyan empire, Malay rulers, and the Vijayanagar empire.1

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Sri Lanka
Political changes
…south Indian dynasty called the Arya Chakaravartis seized power in the north. By the beginning of the 14th century, it had founded a Tamil kingdom, its capital at Nallur in the Jaffna Peninsula. The kingdom of Jaffna soon expanded southward, initiating a tradition of conflict with the Sinhalese, though Rajarata—by…
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…south Indian dynasty called the Arya Chakaravartis seized power in the north. By the beginning of the 14th century, it had founded a Tamil kingdom, its capital at Nallur in the Jaffna Peninsula. The kingdom of Jaffna soon expanded southward, initiating a tradition of conflict with the Sinhalese, though Rajarata—by…
Read More