10 Facts About Cankili II

Cankili II's regency was rejected by the Portuguese colonials in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Cankili II's reign was secured with military forces from the Thanjavur Nayaks and Karaiyar captains.

Cankili II was defeated by the Portuguese in 1619 and was taken to Goa and beheaded.

Cankili II killed the claimants to the throne and other princes of royal blood and usurped the throne.

Cankili II was, under the Portuguese, made the governor of Jaffna in 1617 and paid tribute to them on the promise that he had no contact with the Karaiyar captains.

Cankili II had to seek aid from Raghunatha Nayak, the king of Thanjavur Nayak kingdom, who sent an army of 5000 men under the command of Khem Nayak to put down the uprising.

Cankili II himself was taken to Goa and brought to trial by a High Court for treason where he was found guilty and sentenced to death by beheading.

Cankili II then declared that he wished to be a Christian.

Cankili II did not consent to have his hands tied, saying that it was not necessary because he died for his faults with great pleasure and as he uttered the "sweet name of Jesus" his head was cut off.

Cankili II's queen retired into the house of converts where she lived an exemplary Christian life.