In 1614,
Sriranga II, the Emperor of Vijayanagar, was killed by a rival claimant, Jaggaraya. Raghunatha proceeded against Jaggaraya to avenge the murder. Different accounts give varying versions of the events. According to Ramabhadramba, Raghunatha first fought a rebellious regional chieftain called Solaga, pursuing him to
Kumbakonam and then besieging him in his island-fortress on the
Kollidam before turning his attention to the
Portuguese and attacking
Jaffna. After his victory over the Portuguese, Ramabhadramba claims, Raghunatha returned to the Indian mainland, where he pursued Jaggaraya to Toppur and defeated him. He later constructed a pillar of victory and took possession of
Bhuvanagiri near
Chidambaram. According to Yagnanarayana Dikshita, the campaign had been preceded by a council held by Achuthappa Nayak in which Raghunatha,
Govinda Dikshita and the exiled
king of Jaffna Ethirimana Cinkam participated. The whole campaign against Jaggaraya and the Solaga was the outcome of this conference. The Battle of Toppur was dated 12 December 1616 based on the
Raghunathabyudayam, which states that Raghunatha was camping at
Pazhamaneri in August 1616. Portuguese chroniclers dated Raghunatha's victories in Jaffna to the beginning of 1616. The campaign against the Solaga must have also taken place at this time.
Campaign against the Solaga The
Raghunathabyudayam says that Solaga was the ruler of an island (
Antaripagataha) and a feudatory of
Krishnappa Nayak of
Gingee. He is described as a
highwayman who attacked passers-by and stole their belongings. Raghunatha's campaign was a punitive expedition to put an end to his activities. Raghunatha attacked Solaga's headquarters near Kumbakonam. Supported by Krishnappa Nayak, the Portuguese and Muslim mercenaries, Solaga put up strong resistance but was finally defeated by Raghunatha's artillery. He was captured and imprisoned along with his family.
Invasion of Jaffna Following the victory over Solaga, Raghunatha attacked Jaffna. Enthiramana helped the re-founded
Kandyan Kingdom King Vimaladharmasuriya I (1593–1604) and King Senarat (1604–1635) to secure help from
South India to resist the Portuguese. Like Bhuvanekabahu VII of
Kotte Kingdom, through a mixture of native cunning and the ability to perform a delicate balancing act, the Jaffna king secured a surprising degree of room for maneuver. While according to Nayak chronicles, Raghunatha himself led the expedition, according to Portuguese records, the campaign was led by one
Khem Nayak, a general in service of Raghunatha. The Thanjavur Nayak forces were victorious in evicting the Portuguese from Jaffna.
Cankili II of the
Aryachakravarti Dynasty was placed on the throne. However, Cankili II ruled for barely two years before being overthrown and killed in 1619.
Battle of Toppur On his return to India, Raghunatha Nayak personally led an army against Jaggaraya, who had usurped the throne of Vijayanagar after killing Sriranga II. Jaggaraya was assisted by the
Madurai Nayak Dynasty and
Nayaks of Gingee. Yagnanarayana Dikshita mentions that Jaggaraya had the support of the Yavanas and Parasikas, whose identities remain unclear. Raghunatha's army consisted of strong infantry and cavalry divisions, elephant corps, and armed soldiers. The Vijayanagar claimant
Rama Deva Raya fought alongside him. The two armies met at Toppur. Raghunatha was completely victorious; Jaggaraya was captured and killed, and Rama Deva Raya was placed on the throne.
Later campaigns Raghunatha also conducted minor campaigns. Though he failed to prevent the Aryachakravarti dynasty from being overthrown, he kept up the pressure against the Portuguese by supporting rebellions. The
Karaiyars—a class of fishermen along the
Gulf of Mannar—made six attempts between 1620 and 1621 to overthrow Portuguese rule. Raghunatha, himself, sent five armies between 1619 and 1621 to conquer Jaffna, but they failed. == Patronage of arts and music ==