House of Alakēśvara
| Alakēśvara අලකේශ්වර Alagakkōnāra | |
|---|---|
| Noble family | |
| Country | Kingdom of Gampola Kingdom of Kotte |
| Place of origin | Vrinchipura, India |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Founder | Nissanka Alagakkonara |
| Current head | Extinct |
| Final ruler | Parakramabahu Āpāna |
| Seat | Jayawardenepura Kotte |
| Historic seat | Rayigampura |
| Titles | Patirāja (pre–1360) Prabhurāja (1360–1411) |
| Connected members | Siri Sanga Bo Senalahkadhikara |
| Deposition | 1411 |
Alagakkōnāra (Sinhala: අලගක්කෝනාර, lit. 'Alagakkōnāra', Tamil: அழகக்கோன், lit. 'Aḻakakkōṉ, 'beautiful king' in Tamil'), also known as Alakēśvara, were a prominent feudal family that provided powerful ministers and military rulers to the Kingdom of Gampola and Kingdom of Kotte in Sri Lanka. Some historians claim that the family was of Tamil origin, possibly from Madurai or Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. The family arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka.
One member of the family is noted for founding the current capital of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as a fort from which he waged a war against encroaching tax collectors from the Jaffna kingdom in the north. The family lost most of its influence after its leader was taken captive by the Ming Dynasty (Chinese) Admiral Zheng He in 1411.