Aggabodhi VI of Anuradhapura

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Aggabodhi VI
King of Anuradhapura
Reign741 – 781
Predecessor Mahinda I
Successor Aggabodhi VII
Issue Mahinda II
Dynasty House of Lambakanna II
Father Kassapa III

Aggabodhi VI was King of Anuradhapura in the 8th century, whose reign lasted from 741 to 781. He succeeded his uncle Mahinda I as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his cousin Aggabodhi VII.

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He took the regnal name of Silamegha and appointed his cousin Aggabodhi (son of King Mahinda I} as the yuva raja. The yuva raja was instrumental in eliminating the lawlessness prevailing in the country. The corrupt officials who suffered from this able administration gained the King Silamegha's ears by telling him that he was the king in name only while the administration of the country was by prince Aggabodhi (yuva raja).

The yuva raja detecting this change of heart from the king fled to Ruhuna and collected a large army where he initiated a civil war. He was defeated at Kadalinivatha and the former yuva raja became a fugitive in the hill country (Malaya District).

King Silamegha was a good man and he remembered the good things done by prince Aggabodhi. The king set out unattended to Malaya district. A reconciliation was effected. Prince Aggabodhi became yuva raja again. This time, the King' daughter Sangha was given in marriage to him.

During the King Silamegha's time, the renown of the expertise and the excellence of the Sinhalese engineers in irrigation tank building has spread far and wide and King Djaya-pida of Kashmir has asked for their service in A.C. 745 (Rajatharangani-a history of Kashmir).

Embassies were sent to China in 742 A.C., 746 A.C., 750 A.C. and the last in 762 A.C. during King Silamegha's reign. (Chinese chronicle Tshi-foo Yuen-kwei). Pearls, golden flowers, precious stones, ivory and pieces of fine cotton clothes were sent as gifts to the Chinese emperor in the embassy of 742 A.C. by King "Chi-lo-me-kia" Silamegha) according to the chronicle. A Brahmin was the ambassador of the 746 A.C. embassy to the Chinese court, carrying head ornaments of gold, precious neck pendants, forty webs of fine cotton cloths and the "Maha Parinibbana Sutra" of Buddhism.

King Silamegha died in the fortieth year of his reign. During his reign extensive repairs were carried out in Abhayagiri Vihara and at Thuparamays. The stone pillars of Thuparamaya were set in a different order and repairs were carried out at four other viharas.

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Aggabodhi II was King of Anuradhapura in the 7th century, whose reign lasted from 608 to 618. He succeeded his uncle Aggabodhi I as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his brother Sangha Tissa II.

Aggabodhi III was King of Anuradhapura in the 7th century, whose reign lasted the year 623 and from 624 to 640. He succeeded his father Silameghavanna as King of Anuradhapura.

Jettha Tissa III was King of Anuradhapura in the 7th century, whose reign lasted from 623 to 624. He succeeded Aggabodhi III by a successful rebellion. He had sent his general Datasiva to the western part of the country to lay waste. The general was defeated by King Aggabodhi's sub-king Mana. Prince Jetta Tissa however withstood the King's forces and defeated him.

Kassapa III was King of Anuradhapura in the 8th century, whose reign lasted from 732 to 738. He succeeded his brother Aggabodhi V as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his younger brother Mahinda I.

Mahinda I was King of Anuradhapura in the 8th century, whose reign lasted from 738 to 741. He succeeded his brother Kassapa III as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his nephew Aggabodhi VI.

Aggabodhi VII was King of Anuradhapura in the 8th century, whose reign lasted from 781 to 787. He succeeded his cousin Aggabodhi VI as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by Mahinda II.His father was King Mahinda I.

Mahinda II was King of Anuradhapura in the 9th century, whose reign lasted from 787 to 807. He succeeded Aggabodhi VII as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his son Dappula II. His father was King Aggabodhi VI.

Dappula II was King of Anuradhapura in the 9th century, whose reign lasted from 807 to 812. He succeeded his father Mahinda II as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his son Mahinda III.

Mahinda III was King of Anuradhapura in the 9th century, whose reign lasted from 812 to 816. He succeeded his father Dappula II as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his brother Aggabodhi VIII.

Aggabodhi VIII was King of Anuradhapura in the 9th century, whose reign lasted from 816 to 827. He succeeded his brother Mahinda III as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his brother Dappula III.

References

[1]

  1. Obeyesekere, Donald (1911). Outlines of Ceylon history. Colombo, Ceylon : The Times of Ceylon. pp.  109.
Aggabodhi VI of Anuradhapura
Born: ? ? Died: 781
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Mahinda I
King of Anuradhapura
741781
Succeeded by
Aggabodhi VII