Siege of Kotte (1557–1558)
The Siege of Kotte (1557–1558) was a military engagement during a period of conflict between the Kingdom of Kotte, a Sinhalese kingdom in present-day Sri Lanka, and the Portuguese. The siege was initiated by forces loyal to the Kingdom of Sitawaka, under the leadership of Mayadunne, seeking to overthrow the Kotte king, Buvanekabahu VII, who was allied with the Portuguese.
The Kingdom of Kotte, heavily reliant on Portuguese military assistance, found itself under increasing pressure from Sitawaka. Mayadunne aimed to capture Kotte, effectively eliminating a rival kingdom and consolidating his power in the region. The Portuguese garrison in Kotte, although numerically inferior to the besieging forces, possessed superior weaponry and fortifications, which allowed them to withstand the initial assaults.
The siege lasted for a protracted period, characterized by constant skirmishes and attempts by Sitawakan forces to breach Kotte's defenses. The Portuguese, reinforced by local Kotte levies loyal to Buvanekabahu VII, managed to repel the attacks. Supply lines to Kotte were intermittently disrupted, but the Portuguese managed to maintain a tenuous hold on the city.
The outcome of the siege remained uncertain for a considerable time, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. The eventual lifting of the siege is attributed to a combination of factors, including Portuguese reinforcements arriving by sea, internal dissension within the Sitawakan ranks, and the difficulty of maintaining a sustained siege over an extended period.
The failure of the Siege of Kotte did not end the conflict between Sitawaka and Kotte (supported by the Portuguese). Mayadunne continued to pose a significant threat to Kotte's survival in the years following the siege, and the region remained embroiled in warfare for decades. The siege itself is considered a pivotal event in the history of the Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka, highlighting the challenges they faced in maintaining control over their territories and allies against determined local opposition.