Dasa Maha Yodhayo: The 10 Great Warriors of King Dutugemunu

King Dutugemunu and the 10 Great Warriors

The Dasa Maha Yodhayo, or Ten Great Giant Warriors, were the elite champions of King Dutugemunu (r. 161–137 BCE). They were chosen for their extraordinary strength and exceptional martial ability to lead the campaign that reclaimed the Anuradhapura Kingdom from King Elara, the Tamil invader who ruled from Anuradhapura for over 50 years.

Each of the ten champions was assigned the task of recruiting additional warriors. Through this system, an elite core force of 11,110 soldiers was eventually formed, serving as the king’s personal guard and spearhead of the campaign.

[1] Nandhimitta (නන්දිමිත්‍ර) ⮥

Nandhimitta: The First Worrior of King Dutugemunu

Nandhimitta, the nephew of a general in King Elara’s army, was born with his private parts hidden within his body. As a small child, he gained his name after breaking a leather strap (nandi) while dragging a heavy grinding stone. Motivated by deep religious devotion, he secretly killed Tamil soldiers who were desecrating sacred places in Anuradhapura before eventually joining Dutugemunu. During the siege of Vijitapura, he famously saved the royal elephant Kandula by pushing aside a collapsing gate tower with his bare arms.

[2] Suranimila (සුරනිමල) ⮥

Suranimala: Fastest Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Originally named Nimila, he was initially ridiculed by his brothers for his apparent idleness. However, he later proved his ability by completing a remarkable “far errand,” covering 231.7 kilometers (144 miles) in a single day. His immense capacity for drinking earned him the name Suranimila. In the final battle for Anuradhapura, he served as the king’s personal shield-bearer and famously killed the Tamil champion Dighajantu after a fierce duel. He later received great honors for his loyalty and speed.

[3] Mahasona (මහාසෝණ) ⮥

Mahasona: Strongest Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Born as the youngest of eight brothers in Hundarivapi, Sona demonstrated extraordinary strength from childhood. At the age of seven he could uproot young palm trees, and by ten he was tearing fully grown palms from the ground, earning the name Mahasona. He was said to possess the strength of ten elephants and played a key role in breaching Tamil fortresses along the Mahaweli River. Throughout the war of liberation he remained an important commander.

[4] Gothaimbara (ගෝඨයිම්බර) ⮥

Gothaimbara: The Iron-Limbed Dwarf Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Although Gothaimbara was of short stature, he possessed hidden strength that exceeded that of his larger brothers. He gained his name after uprooting an entire grove of imbara trees by himself to create land for a bean field. During the siege of Vijitapura, he famously rebuked the elephant Kandula when it retreated from molten pitch, encouraging the animal to charge forward and break the iron gates. Some traditions state that after the war he renounced violence and became a monk to atone for the killings of war.

[5] Theraputtabhaya (ථෙරපුත්තාභය) ⮥

Theraputtabhaya: Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Theraputtabhaya, the son of a monk, displayed remarkable strength even as a child and was known for playing with massive stones. He later wielded a club measuring about 96.5 centimeters (38 inches) in circumference. A veteran of twenty-eight major battles, he became a spiritual pillar of the Sinhala army. After the final victory he refused royal rewards and chose instead to become a monk, saying he wished to “battle with the passions.” He later returned to comfort the dying King Dutugemunu, reminding him of the many meritorious deeds recorded in the Punnapotthaka.

[6] Bharana (භරණ) ⮥

Bharana: Fleet-Footed Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Bharana, born in Kappakandara on the banks of the Manik Ganga, was famous for his remarkable speed and powerful legs. As a youth he hunted hares, elks, and wild boars by chasing them down and crushing them beneath his feet. During the northern campaign he served as a senior commander in the fourfold army and took part in the final defeat of Elara’s forces at Anuradhapura. In the peaceful years that followed, he remained an honored and respected figure in the kingdom.

[7] Velusumana (වේළුසුමන) ⮥

Velusumana: Peerless Horseman Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Velusumana was the chief warrior of King Kakavannatissa and a master horseman. His riding was so swift that when he galloped in circles, observers saw what appeared to be an unbroken chain of men. He played an important role in reconnaissance operations and commanded the detachment assigned to the East Gate during the siege of Vijitapura. His skill with horses and sharp tactical judgment made him a valuable member of the royal guard.

[8] Khanjadeva (ඛංචදේව) ⮥

Khanjadeva: Iron-Limbed Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Born in the village of Mahisadonika, Deva received the nickname Khanja because he had a slight limp. Despite this physical defect, he possessed extraordinary strength. He was said to chase down large buffaloes, lift them above his head, and throw them to the ground. During the war he was tasked with selecting a body of soldiers for the assault on the North and West Gates of Vijitapura. His strength and endurance secured his place among the legendary giants.

[9] Pussadeva (ඵුස්සදේව) ⮥

Pussadeva: The Peerless Archer Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Pussadeva was the greatest archer of his time, capable of shooting arrows through iron plates or striking a target guided only by sound. He was also famous for blowing a conch shell with such force that it sounded like thunder, frightening the Tamil army. In the final battle he sat behind the king on the elephant Kandula and killed the Tamil champion Bhalluka with an arrow shot into his mouth. In recognition of this feat, the king rewarded him by covering the arrow with gold coins.

[10] Labhiya Vasabha (ලභිය වසභ) ⮥

Labhiya Vasabha: The Noble-Formed Warrior of King Dutugemunu

Labhiya Vasabha received the name Labhiya because of his noble and handsome appearance. Born in the village of Viharavapi, he first became famous by constructing a large irrigation reservoir single-handedly, which later became known as Vasabha-vapi or Vasabha’s Dam. During the military campaign, he led a chosen group of soldiers in the assault that breached the North and West Gates of the fortress at Vijitapura. He remained a trusted general and was present at the king’s deathbed.

References

Gunasekara, B. (1900). The Rajavaliya or a historical narrative of Sinhalese kings from Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Suriya II. George J. A. Skeen.
Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
Nicholas, C. W., & Paranavitana, S. (1961). A Concise History of Ceylon : From the Earliest Times to the Arrival of the Portuguese in 1505. University of Ceylon.
Senaveratna, J. M. (1946). Dutugemunu: His Life and Times. Sinha Publications.