30 
History of Ceylon 
body of the Cinglese in the neighbourhood of Columbo, who 
were exasperated with the oppression of their masters the Por- 
tuguese, he took the field to oppose the European army under 
Constantine de Sae. The force of the latter consisted of 1300 
Portuguese, lyOO continental troops, and 8000 Cinglese. The 
Prince /of Ouve, >who in conjunction with Raja Singa, the 
King’s youngest son, commanded the Candians, had an army 
of 23,000 natives. By the advice of Raja Singa, ^y^ho already 
began to give proofs of great military talents, jthe Prince of 
Ouve declined coming to an engagement and. left the passages 
of the mountains open to the Portuguese who, surprised at 
meeting no enemy, advanced into the , heart of the country 
and plundered and burnt Badula the chief city of Ouve. The 
Portuguese commander, having now learnt the intention of the 
Candians to cut off his retreat, and placing little confidence 
in the fidelity of the Cinglese in his army, determined to 
retire Avith all possible expedition, having first ^set fire to 
his baggage that he might not be embarrassed Avith its de- 
fence. The Candians hoAvever, being determined he should 
not thus escape, pursued him Avith the utmost rapidity ; and 
the 8000 Cinglese in his army having deserted and joined their 
countrymen, he Avas furiously attacked by their united forces, 
who rushed upon his troops Avith pikes and scymetars at a 
time when a heavy fall of rain rendered the Portuguese fire- 
locks useless. He fell Avith most of his troops ; and his 
head being cut off was carried.' in triumph to Raja Singa. 
The Portuguese Avere thus again reduced to a situation of 
extreme danger. Raja Singa advanced Avith a large force to 
attack Columbo ; but wns very gallantly beaten off by the go- 
vernor De Souza whp had just received a reinforcement of 400 
men from Goa. 
