battle decisive major battle campaign carried king invading south indian king battle documented detail ancient chronicles country provide viewpoint army details scarce launching campaign regain country captured number strongholds coming fortified city month siege ensued followed large assault champions royal elephant played major chronicles focus lot champions describe unusual tests carried find skills battle ended victory forces considerably weakened army ultimately leading defeat death exact location unknown historians battle regarded legendary event country history compared victories country civil war records campaign given detail ancient chronicles sri_lanka describe battle detail apply high importance hero chronicles campaign depicted holy war aimed restoring buddhism country accounts favourably biased description rest campaign mix fact legend historians agree basic facts chronicles accurate sided accounts given chronicles mean little information obtained armies according translated problem said left background time battle king prince defeated ruler invasion described ruler buddhism country came tamil king rule rival king south country organized resistance son ascended throne death father soon king launched campaign intention restoring buddhism country setting crossing river captured number forts cities killed generals ancient chronicles refer generals defeated unlikely possible given later joined victories army marched great fortress followed road army road previous ruler military campaigns city refers founded nearly years ago brother law king time battle fortified stronghold said surrounded wall height wall wrought iron gates north south east west describes fortress second control essential sides loss stronghold largely factor forces significantly reduce capability resist advance forces capture city mean easily siege surviving troops forces previous battles retreated strengthening defenses army arrived pitched camp close fortress open stretch land camped later came known carried regular assaults fortress defenders occasional sorties able sway battle favour laying siege city months plans laid launch assault entire army army led champions generals known giant warriors play significant battle come testing warriors ancient chronicles mention tests planned find warriors skill battle test asked warriors drink large intending test strength refused stepped forward drank entire effort second test test commander army royal elephant infuriated set warrior stood ground taking elephant pushed ground clearing doubts abilities skill warriors sounded war drums raising flags started assault final assault army attacked gates city simultaneously led main assault southern gate elephant attacks northern western gates led eastern gate attacked defenders eastern gates routed cavalry attack forces withdrew city shooting walls inflicted heavy casualties attackers soldiers walls prevented attempt breach wall metal elephant attempting break southern gate injured attack tending injuries protecting thick animal hides encouraged drove wall wall breached army entered city champions unwilling enter opening destroyed wall different places broke city led army destroyed defenders took control fortress city survivors retreated aftermath capture paved way army advance proceeded immediately capturing strongholds way battle killed single combat king bringing entire country rule modern culture studies battle legendary battle history significant milestone campaign restore buddhism country referred great battle ending general commander compared battles fought exact location fortress uncertain village near ancient reservoir place battle took place ancient temple granite stone locals believe soldiers swords historians archaeologists believe location close near ruins ancient fortress found
Battle of Vijithapura