Maha Pambata
Encyclopedia
Maha Pambata, or 'Big Rock' is a famous war elephant
belonging to the Tamil King Elara (c.235 BCE - 161 BCE).
In Sri Lanka, it was not uncommon in antiquity for kings to use war elephants to lead their men personally into battle. Maha Pambata was King Elara
's mount in his battle with King Dutugamunu, who rode the famous war elephant Kandula
. The climactic battle between the two elephants and kings is said to have occurred as Dutugemunu drew close to Anuradhapura
. The next day both kings rode forwards on their war elephants, Elara 'in full armour...with chariots, soldiers and beasts for riders'. Dutugemunu's forces are said to have routed those of Elara, with killing in such numbers that 'the water in the tank there was dyed red with the blood of the slain'. Dutugemunu, declaring that 'none shall kill Elara but myself', chased him to the south gate of Anuradhapura, where the two engaged in an elephant-back duel and the aged king was finally felled by one of Dutugemunu's darts. The fate of Maha Pambata is unknown.
War elephant
A war elephant was an elephant trained and guided by humans for combat. Their main use was to charge the enemy, trampling them and breaking their ranks. A division of war elephants is known as elephantry....
belonging to the Tamil King Elara (c.235 BCE - 161 BCE).
In Sri Lanka, it was not uncommon in antiquity for kings to use war elephants to lead their men personally into battle. Maha Pambata was King Elara
Elara
Elara may refer to one of the following:*Elara , a moon of Jupiter*Elara , the mother of Tityas in Greek mythology*Elara , an ancient Sri Lankan king...
's mount in his battle with King Dutugamunu, who rode the famous war elephant Kandula
Kandula
thumb|right|270px|Kandula playing at the National Zoo, Washington D.C. Kandula is a famous war elephant mentioned in the Sinhala chronicle Mahavamsa....
. The climactic battle between the two elephants and kings is said to have occurred as Dutugemunu drew close to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, , is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic...
. The next day both kings rode forwards on their war elephants, Elara 'in full armour...with chariots, soldiers and beasts for riders'. Dutugemunu's forces are said to have routed those of Elara, with killing in such numbers that 'the water in the tank there was dyed red with the blood of the slain'. Dutugemunu, declaring that 'none shall kill Elara but myself', chased him to the south gate of Anuradhapura, where the two engaged in an elephant-back duel and the aged king was finally felled by one of Dutugemunu's darts. The fate of Maha Pambata is unknown.