Malaya
1. Malaya. A mountainous district in South India. e.g., J.iv.327; Cv.lxxvi.195.
2. Malaya. The mountainous country of Sri Lanka, originally the home of the PulindÄ (Mhv.vii.68; see Mhv.Trs.60, n. 5). When Duá¹á¹hagÄmaṇi fled from his father’s wrath, it was in Malaya that he hid (Mhv.xxiv.7). In Malaya was the Ambatthakolalena, from which Duá¹á¹hagÄmaṇi obtained silver for the MahÄ ThÅ«pa (Mhv.xxviii.20). The hill country provided protection from marauders who invaded Sri Lanka (e.g., in the case of Vaá¹á¹agÄmaṇī Mhv.xxxiii.62; also xxxv.26), and also from those causing danger to the rightful ruler (e.g., ibid., xxxvi.50; Cv.xli.20; l.20). When Buddhism was threatened by the activities of unbelievers who had obtained possession of AnurÄdhapura, it was to Malaya and to Rohaṇa that the monks fled in order to save themselves and their teaching (e.g., Mhv.xxxvii.6). Malaya also afforded shelter to rebels against the government both during preparations for attack and, if necessary, during their flight (e.g., Cv.xli.10; xliv.62; xlviii.98; li.112f.; lvii.47, 57).
In later times Malaya was treated as a special province, and was in charge of an official called MalayarÄja, who was generally the king’s younger son, the elder being viceroy in charge of the Eastern Province (PÄcÄ«nadesa). The district of Dakkhiṇadesa was included in Malaya (See Cv.xli.33ff.; lii.68; Cv. Trs.i.54, n.4; but see Cv.xlii.6, 10; xliv.43 li.13; liii.36), but it was later separated (Cv.li.8). The YuvarÄja himself was sometimes MalayarÄjÄ, particularly when the other provinces were in the hands of enemies (e.g., Cv.lviii.7). Mention is also made (Cv.lxix.6) of a MalayarÄjÄ who was in charge of a Damiḷa army (probably of mercenaries). In times of war the people of Malaya usually gave a great deal of trouble as the country was difficult of access (e.g., Cv.lxx.30). Some of the villages in Malaya were composed of only one house. Sp.ii.298.
3. Malaya. A mountainous district of RÄmañña. Cv.lxxvi.22.
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