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The Ming–Kotte War () was a military conflict between the expeditionary forces of
Ming China The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...
and the Sinhalese Kotte Kingdom in the southern territories of
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
. The conflict happened when Ming China's treasure fleet arrived at Sri Lanka in 1410 or 1411. It resulted in the overthrow of King Alakeshvara and the ascension of
Parakramabahu VI Parâkramabâhu VI (, ) was the first king of Kingdom of Kotte, Kotte, ruling from 1410 until his death in 1467. He is the last great king in Sri Lanka who managed to unite the island under one flag. His rule is famous for the renaissance in Sri ...
.


Background

The kingdoms of Kotte and Jaffna had been in wars against each other. In these wars, Alakeshvara of the Alagakkonara family gained prestige due to his military successes. He had the ''de facto'' rule over Kotte under a puppet king from the previous royal dynasty and eventually usurped the throne of the kingdom. During the
Ming treasure voyages The Ming treasure voyages were maritime expeditions undertaken by Ming China's treasure fleet between 1405 and 1433. The Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of the fleet in 1403. The grand project resulted in seven far-reaching ocean voy ...
, a large Chinese fleet, led by Admiral
Zheng He Zheng He (also romanized Cheng Ho; 1371–1433/1435) was a Chinese eunuch, admiral and diplomat from the early Ming dynasty, who is often regarded as the greatest admiral in History of China, Chinese history. Born into a Muslims, Muslim famil ...
, arrived into local waters to establish Chinese control and stability of the maritime routes in the waters around Sri Lanka and
southern India South India, also known as Southern India or Peninsular India, is the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula in India encompassing the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of ...
. Alakeshvara posed a threat to Chinese trade by committing piracy and hostilities in the local waters. Due to Alakeshvara's hostilities against the Chinese presence in Sri Lanka during the first Ming treasure voyage, Zheng decided to leave the island for other destinations. It is probable that the then-prince
Parakramabahu VI Parâkramabâhu VI (, ) was the first king of Kingdom of Kotte, Kotte, ruling from 1410 until his death in 1467. He is the last great king in Sri Lanka who managed to unite the island under one flag. His rule is famous for the renaissance in Sri ...
or others acting on his behalf solicited aid from Zheng during this time, so the Chinese admiral adopted a hostile attitude to Alakeshvara and espoused the cause of this prince. During the third Ming treasure voyage, the Chinese fleet returned to the Kotte Kingdom. This time, the Chinese came to depose Alakeshvara by military force. states that the confrontation against Alakeshvara in Sri Lanka most likely happened during the outward journey of the Chinese fleet in 1410, rather than the homeward journey in 1411, but he also notes that most authorities think that the confrontation happened during the homeward journey in 1411.


War

On their return to Sri Lanka, the Chinese were overbearing and contemptuous of the Sinhalese, whom they considered to be rude, disrespectful, and hostile.. They also resented that the Sinhalese were committing hostilities towards neighboring countries that had diplomatic relations with Ming China. Zheng He and a contingent of 2,000 Chinese troops traveled overland into Kotte, because Alakeshvara had lured them into his territory. Alakeshvara cut off Zheng and his troops from the Chinese treasure fleet anchored at
Colombo Colombo, ( ; , ; , ), is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. The Colombo metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 within the municipal limits. It is the ...
. He planned to launch a surprise attack on the fleet. In response, Zheng and his contingent of troops invaded Kotte and conquered its capital. They captured Alakeshvara with his family and principal officials.. For six days hereafter, they fought their way back to the fleet.. The Sinhalese army hastily returned and surrounded the capital, but was repeatedly defeated in battle by the invading Chinese troops.


Aftermath

The conflict resulted in the overthrow of King Alakeshvara of the Alagakkonara family. After their voyage, Zheng He returned to Nanjing on 6 July 1411 and presented the Sinhalese captives to the
Yongle Emperor The Yongle Emperor (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Chengzu of Ming, personal name Zhu Di, was the third List of emperors of the Ming dynasty, emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 142 ...
,. who eventually decided to free Alakeshvara and return him to Sri Lanka. The Chinese were allied with
Parakramabahu VI Parâkramabâhu VI (, ) was the first king of Kingdom of Kotte, Kotte, ruling from 1410 until his death in 1467. He is the last great king in Sri Lanka who managed to unite the island under one flag. His rule is famous for the renaissance in Sri ...
and dethroned Alakeshvara in favor of him.. The Yongle Emperor requested from the Ministry of Rites to recommend someone to serve as the new king of Kotte. As documented in Chinese records, Parakramabahu VI was elected by the Sinhalese present at the Ming court, nominated by the Ming emperor, and installed with the backing of Zheng and his fleet.. Both economic and diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka improved, with Parakramavahu VI as the ruler in Sri Lanka. The Chinese treasure fleet experienced no hostilities during visits to Sri Lanka on subsequent voyages. On 13 September 1411, the emperor granted both rewards and promotions for those who participated in the Sinhalese confrontation after the joint recommendation of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites..


See also

* Battle of Palembang (1407)


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ming-Kotte War Wars involving the Ming dynasty Kingdom of Kotte Wars involving Sri Lanka 1410s in Asia 15th century in Sri Lanka 1410 in Asia 1411 in Asia 15th century in China Conflicts in 1410 Conflicts in 1411 Ming treasure voyages