346 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII, 



BELIGALA.* 



By R. W. Ieveks, Esq., c.c.s. 



That portion of the old Kandyan Kingdom called the Four 

 Korales ( Hatara Korale), which now forms the northern 

 half of the modern District of Kegalla, possesses many- 

 sites of interest for the historian and antiquary. 



From its geographical position the District was very 

 important as a border land between the Kandyans and the 

 Portuguese and Dutch. Hence it was a matter of policy 

 to conciliate the local chiefs, who were accordingly rewarded 

 with nindagam^ by both the hill and maritime Govern- 

 ments ; and many of the highest chiefs take title from the 

 Four Korales. The Beligal Korale is the most western, 

 and in it are situated several places which deserve mention, 

 such as Arandara, Dedigama, Wattarama, and Menik- 

 kadawara (the " Manicavare " of Ribeyro) ; but I propose 

 in this memorandum to submit only my notes upon the 

 curious rock called Beligala. 



As the rock from its position and nature is obviously the 

 place to be selected for security in unsettled times, I think 

 it more than probable that the Korale, in the centre of 

 which it lies, has taken its name from the stronghold. 



The heirs of Dantakumaraya, son-in-law of a king of 

 Dantapura in the Kalinga country, settled in the Kiraweli 

 Pattuwa, 310 a.d., and there remained until the fifteenth 

 century, intermarrying with the royal race ( Rdjdwali). Local 

 tradition ascribes the works at Beligala to a Kalinga 

 monarch. I see no reason to doubt that these princes 

 made use of the rock as a stronghold, and that when the 



* I desire to record my obligations to Mr. J. F. Dickson, President 

 of the Society, and to Mr. J. A. Swettenham, for references which 

 I regret I have not had an opportune y of using when writing. 



■\ Nindagama. — U A village wh ch, for the time being, is the entire 

 property of thegrant.ee or temporary chief; if definitively granted 

 by the King, with saunas, it becomes paraveni." — (D'Oyly.) 



