Velusumana: Peerless Horseman Warrior of Dutugemunu

Velusumana: Peerless Horseman Warrior of King Dutugemunu

In the epic history of Sri Lanka, the unification of the island under King Dutugemunu (r. 161–137 BCE) stands as a symbol of Sinhala resilience and military strength. A central role in this achievement was played by the Dasa Maha Yodhayo, a group of ten legendary warriors who served as the king’s personal guard and elite commanders. Among these champions, Velusumana occupies a distinctive position as the foremost cavalry warrior. His life story—from a famed youth in the Giri district to a daring spy in occupied Anuradhapura—demonstrates the strategic importance of horsemanship and personal bravery during the war against the Chola ruler Elara.

Birth, Lineage, and Childhood

Velusumana was born in the mid-2nd century BCE in the village of Kutumbiyangana, located in the Giri district. His father, Vasabha, was a respected householder known throughout the region. On the day of the child’s birth, two close friends of his father visited the house with gifts: Vela, a neighbor, and Sumana, the governor of the Giri district. In recognition of these two men, Vasabha named his son Velusumana.

During his childhood, Velusumana developed a close relationship with Governor Sumana, who later brought the boy into his own household. Growing up in this environment of administrative authority and military culture within the southern principality of Ruhuna, he gained early exposure to leadership and warfare, which prepared him for later service in the royal court.

The Feat with the Sindhu Horse

The event that first brought Velusumana widespread recognition was an extraordinary demonstration of horsemanship. Governor Sumana owned a fierce Sindhu horse—a breed originating from the Sindhi region of India that was famous for its strength and difficult temperament. The animal refused to allow any rider to mount it.

When Velusumana approached the horse, however, the animal responded calmly and even neighed with apparent excitement upon seeing him. He successfully mounted it and began galloping in a wide circle at such remarkable speed that the spectators perceived his motion as an unbroken chain of figures. While riding at full speed, he even loosened and retied his mantle repeatedly, displaying remarkable balance and confidence.

Impressed by this feat, Governor Sumana rewarded the young man with 10,000 pieces of money and brought him before King Kakavannatissa at Magama, declaring that he was “fit for the king.” The monarch received him with honor and formally appointed him as one of his principal champions.

The Mission to Anuradhapura: The Queen’s Cravings

One of Velusumana’s most famous exploits occurred when Queen Vihara Maha Devi was pregnant with Prince Duttagamani. During her pregnancy she experienced three unusual cravings (dola-duka). Two of these required a daring mission: she desired lotus flowers from the marshes of Anuradhapura, and she wished to drink water that had been used to wash the sword that decapitated Elara’s chief warrior while standing on that warrior’s head.

To fulfill this request, Velusumana traveled in disguise to the enemy-controlled capital of Anuradhapura. There he befriended the keeper of Elara’s royal stables, gradually gaining his trust by performing small services. When the time came to act, he collected lotus flowers from the nearby marshes and concealed them together with his sword along the bank of the Kadamba River, known today as the Malvatte Oya.

Returning to the stables, he mounted Elara’s prized state horse, Vaha, and openly announced his identity before galloping away. In response, Elara dispatched his warrior Nanda Sarathi to pursue him on another swift horse named Sirigutta.

Anticipating the pursuit, Velusumana concealed himself near a narrow section of the road. As Nanda Sarathi approached at full speed, he extended his sword. Unable to stop in time, the pursuer rode directly onto the blade and was decapitated. Velusumana returned to Mahagama carrying the head of the fallen champion along with the lotus flowers, fulfilling the queen’s unusual request.

Martial Acts in the War of Liberation

During the campaign to reclaim the northern kingdom, Velusumana served as a senior commander within the army of Dutugemunu. When the king assembled his fourfold army—comprising elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry—Velusumana led the elite mounted troops.

His most notable military contribution occurred during the siege of Vijitapura, a powerful Tamil fortress blocking the road to Anuradhapura. The siege lasted four months, though some traditions suggest it extended to six months. During the final assault, each of the giant warriors was assigned to attack different gates of the fortress. Velusumana commanded the forces attacking the East Gate.

Mounted on his warhorse, he led repeated charges against the defenders, killing numerous enemy soldiers and forcing them to retreat into the inner citadel, where they closed the secondary gates for protection.

Final Battles and Aftermath

After the fall of Vijitapura, the army of Dutugemunu advanced toward the capital. Following the famous duel in which the king defeated Elara, Velusumana remained among the monarch’s closest commanders.

Soon afterward, Elara’s nephew Bhalluka arrived from India with reinforcements. Velusumana participated in the final battle near the northern gate of Anuradhapura. Fighting alongside the king in full armor, he helped drive back the Tamil army and secure the final consolidation of the Sinhala kingdom.

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.