Thursday, July 30, 2020

Kingdoms in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura kingdom
The Anuradhapura Kingdom is the first Sinhalese Kingdom to be established in Sri Lanka. His government began with King Pandukabhaya and the kingdom flourished from 377 BC. Until 1017 d. C. One of the most important events during the Anuradhapura kingdom is the introduction of Buddhism. This was possible due to the strong union between King Asoka of India and King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka.

Let's take a look at the remarkable successors of that time. Some of these rulers are also of South Indian origin.

King Pandukabhaya
The founder and ruler of Upatissa Nuwara from 437-367 BC. BC and first monarch of Anuradhapura. He had two children, Mutasiva and Suratissa. King Mutasiva ruled for more than sixty years (367-307 BC) and built the Mahamevnawa Park. Mutasiva had 09 children, some of the well-known successors are Devanampiyatissa, Uttiya, Mahasiva and Asela.

Image source - https://www.20f9.fun/2020/04/what-you-know-of-kingdoms-in-sri-lanka.html


King Devanampiyatissa
Devanampiyatissa, the son of Mutasiva, ruled between 307 and 267 a. C. An important monarch like Buddhism was first introduced during his reign. After his reign, King Uttiya was from 267 to 257 BC. BC in power for a short time. C. After his reign, he was a brother and king Mahasiva from 257 to 247 a. C.

It was only after Mahasiva's reign that King Pandukabhaya's youngest son, Suratissa, ruled from 247 to 237 BC. However, his reign was short-lived. Two merchants from southern India, Sena and Guttika, killed King Suratissa and ruled the kingdom for 22 years. After his reign, another son of King Mutasiva, Asela came to power from 215 to 205 a. C. only to have been killed in battle by a member of the Tamil Chola dynasty called "Ellalan".

Ellalan
After dominating the Pandukabhaya dynasty, Ellalan ruled Anuradhapura for more than 44 years. During his reign from 205-161 a. C. was known as a wise ruler until 161 BC. BC was defeated and exiled by King Dutugamunu.

King Dutyugamunu
Perhaps one of the kingdom's favorite rulers, Dutugamunu was also known as Duttagamani Abhaya. Anuradhapura, an important ruler at the time, flourished during his reign (161-137 BC) and the kingdom expanded enormously. Dutugamunu was best known and was accompanied by ten giant warriors or Dasa Maha Yodhayo. His well-known works include Mirisavetiya, Lovamahapaya and Ruvanwelisaya, 90 meters high. His contribution to the kingdom is one of the tourist routes of the Holy City of Anuradhapura.

After his reign, the throne did not go to his son because he was married to a lower cast. Instead, his successor was his brother, King Saddha Tissa. After he from 137 to 119 BC. Had ruled, his successors included his sons Thulatthana, Lanja Tissa, Khallata Naga and Valagamba.

King Valagamba
After having ruled the peaceful kingdom for only five months, before 103 BC. BC was driven out by invaders from southern India. C., King Valagamba was in exile for 14 years, hidden in the Dambulla caves. After a long exile, Valagamba defeated the invaders and gained 89 BC. Chr. The throne back. C. Out of gratitude, he turned his exile house into a temple and also built the Dagoba Abhayagiri in Anuradhapura.

After the Valagamba era, many ruled in his family from 76 BC. The kingdom of Anuradhapura. C. at 66 d. C. Subharaja King was the last known king of the Vijaya house.

During this time, however, it's important to talk about the first queen in power from 47 a.m. to 42 p.m. Queen Anula was also the first female head of state in Asia. After being in power for five years, history claims that he poisoned at least four husbands and wives during his tenure to stay in power.

Anuradhapura Kingdom to Vijaya
A new era began with the Vijaya House, which ended in 66 AD with the murder of King Subharaja by King Vasamba. Vasamba built 11 reservoirs and 12 canals during his reign between 67 and 111 AD to support the country's rice cultivation. After his reign, his son, grandson, King Gajabahu I and many more ruled the Kingdom of Anuradhapura.

Here are some other interesting facts about the Anuradhapura kingdom.

King Mahasen (AD 277-304) built the tallest Jethavanaramaya stupa, sixteen large tanks, and two irrigation channels, the largest of which was the Minneriya tank and taxi services in Udaipur.
King Dhatusena (AD 455-473), another great successor who was responsible for many developments in the kingdom. During his time he built 18 irrigation tanks, a large canal or Yodha Ela (Jayahanga) and the legendary 43-foot statue "Avukana" by Lord Buddha.

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