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38 ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF THE TAMILS to South India for the first time from Ceylon in the early centuries of the Christian era. Friendly relations seem to have been kept up from this time. The Cola King Karikāla is said to have employed hundreds of labourers from Ceylon on his irrigation works. The Ceylon King Gajabāhu is said to have been present at the installation ceremony of Pattini at the Cera capital of Senguțțuvan in the 2nd century A.D. Peaceful relations once more existed until the sixth century. From this time to the end of the 8th century the Pallavas frequently invaded and conquered Ceylon. This was followed by the Pandyas who occupied the Ceylon capital during the reign of Sena 1. But Sena II in his turn sacked Madura the Pāņdyan capital. When Parāntaka Cola conquered Madura Rājasimha the Pāņdyan took refuge in Ceylon. There was a Cola invasion of Ceylon but with no success. It was given to Rājarāja I to annex North Ceylon. Rājendra I established firmly the Cola power in the island. But the uncertain political conditions preceding the accession of Kulottunga I were taken advantage of and the Ceylon King Vijayabahu made himself independent about 1070. Whatever may have been the political fortunes of South Indian rulers in Ceylon, the cultural influence is something arresting. Down the ages Ceylon sat at the feet of South India to learn her art, architecture and literature. The cult of Pattini Devi and the different images scattered throughout the land show easily the South Indian influence. Saivism and the Saiya Nāyanars have a firm