Anuradhapura period

Last updated
Anuradhapura period
377 BCE –1017
Arrleft.svg Pre Anuradhapura period Polonnaruwa period Arrright.svg
British Museum Asia 45 (cropped).jpg
Gilded bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Tara, dated to the 8th century, found in the eastern coast of Sri Lanka
Including
Monarchs

The Anuradhapura period was a period in the history of Sri Lanka of the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 377 BCE to 1017 CE. The period begins when Pandukabhaya, King of Upatissa Nuwara moved the administration to Anuradhapura, becoming the kingdom's first monarch. Anuradhapura is heralded as an ancient cosmopolitan citadel with diverse populations.

Contents

Overview

Periodization of Sri Lanka history:

DatesPeriodPeriodSpan (years)SubperiodSpan (years)Main government
300,000 BP–~1000 BC Prehistoric Sri Lanka Stone Age – 300,000Unknown
Bronze Age – 
~1000 BC–543 BC Iron Age –457
543 BC–437 BC Ancient Sri Lanka Pre-Anuradhapura – 106 Monarchy
437 BC–463 AD Anuradhapura 1454 Early Anuradhapura 900
463–691 Middle Anuradhapura 228
691–1017 Post-classical Sri Lanka Late Anuradhapura 326
1017–1070 Polonnaruwa 215 Chola conquest 53
1055–1196 High Polonnaruwa 141
1196–1232 Late Polonnaruwa 36
1232–1341 Transitional 365 Dambadeniya 109
1341–1412 Gampola 71
1412–1592 Early Modern Sri Lanka Kotte 180
1592–1707 Kandyan 223 Early Kandyan 115
1707–1760 Middle Kandyan 53
1760–1815 Late Kandyan 55
1815–1833 Modern Sri Lanka British Ceylon 133 Post-Kandyan 18 Colonial monarchy
1833–1927 Colebrooke–Cameron Reforms era 94
1927–1948 Donoughmore Reforms era 21
1948–1972 Contemporary Sri Lanka Sri Lanka since 1948 78 Dominion 24 Constitutional monarchy
1972–present Republic 54 Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic

Political history

Early Anuradhapura period (377 BCE – 463 CE)

Pandukabhaya (437–367 BCE), king of Upatissa Nuwara was the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and 6th over all of the island of Sri Lanka since the arrival of Vijaya. He reigned from 437 BC to 367 BCE. According to many historians and scholars, he was the first truly Sri Lankan king since the arrival of Vijaya and the ruler who ended the conflict between the Sinha clan and the local communities, reorganizing the populace.

Elara (205–161 BCE), a Tamil King of Chola origin, ruled "Pihiti Rata"- the region of Sri Lanka north of the Mahaweli - after defeating King Asela. During Elara's time, Kelani Tissa was a sub-king of Maya Rata in the southwest and Kavan Tissa was a regional sub-king of Ruhuna in the southeast. Kavan Tissa constructed Tissa Maha Vihara, Dighavapi Tank and numerous shrines in Seruvila. His eldest son, Dutugemunu (161–137 BCE), at the age of 25 defeated the South Indian Tamil Invader Elara, then over 64 years of age, in single combat, as described in the Mahavamsa. Dutugemunu is often depicted as a Sinhalese "Asoka". Ruwanwelisaya, which he constructed, is a dagaba of pyramid-like proportions and stands as an engineering marvel of its time

Pulahatta (or Pulahatha) was deposed by Bahiya, who in turn was deposed by Panaya Mara, followed by Pilaya Mara, and later murdered by Dathiya in 88 BCE,  until Valagamba finally deposed him, bringing an end to Tamil rule. Valagamba I (89–77) BCE restored the Dutugamunu dynasty. During his reign, doctrinal disputes arose between the Mahavihara (Theravada)  and Abhayagiri (pro-Mahayana) traditions. The Tripitaka was committed to writing in Pali at Aluvihara, Matale. Chora Naga (also known as Mahanaga) reigned from 63–51 BCE and was allegedly poisoned by his consort Anula. Queen Anula (48–44 BCE),  widow of Chora Naga and later Kuda Tissa, became the first queen to rule Sri Lanka. She gained notoriety for having multiple lovers, many of whom were reportedly poisoned by her. Queen Anula was eventually killed by Kuttakanna Tissa. Vasabha (67–111 CE) is noted for the  Vallipuram gold plate, fortifying Anuradhapura, constructing eleven tanks, and issuing several edicts. Gajabahu I (114–136 CE)  invaded the Chola kingdom bringing back captives and recovering the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.

Mahasena (274–301 CE) initially persecuted the Theravada Mahāvihāra, allowing Mahayana influence to rise, though he later reconciled wirh the Mahāvihāra. Pandu (429 CE) was the first of seven Pandyan rulers, ending with Pithya in 455 CE. Dhatusena (459–477 CE), his uncle, oversaw the composition of the Mahavamsa by Mahanama, and constructed Kalaweva. His son Kashyapa (477–495 CE), built the renowned Sigiriya rock palace where some 700 rock inscriptions offer a glimpse into ancient Sinhala life and language.

Arrival of Buddhism and the sacred Tooth Relic

Devanampiya Tissa (250–210 BCE), a Sinhalese King of the Maurya lineage, played a pivotal role in introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka. His links with Emperor Asoka facilitated the arrival of Mahinda, son of Asoka in 247 BCE to spread the teachings of the Buddha. Sangamitta, Mahinda's sister, brought a Bodhi sapling to the island via Jambukola (Sambiliturei). Sangamitta's son Samanera Sumana also accompanied them to aid in propagating Buddhism, following the Third Buddhist Council, upon the recommendation of Moggaliputta-Tissa (Ashoka's spiritual teacher). They were further accompanied by Bhankuka, a lay disciple and maternal grandson of Mahinda's aunt.

However, historical evidence does not confirm that Emperor Ashoka had a son named Mahinda (or by any other name) or a daughter named Sangamitta. King Devanampiya Tissa’s reign was crucial for the establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka and had a lasting impact on the island’s religious and cultural history.

Middle Anuradhapura period (463–691)

Late Anuradhapura period (691–1017)

Lambakanna

Manavanna (684–718 CE) seized the throne with the support of the Pallavas, introducing Pallava patronage that lasted for three centuries. By the 9th century, however, the Pandyan ascendancy in southern India led to the sacking of Anuradhapura. In response, the Sinhalese mounted a counter-invasion using a rival Pandya prince, ultimately sacking Madurai itself. Mahinda V (982–1029CE) was the last Sinhalese monarch of Anuradhapura. He fled to Ruhuna, but in 1017, the Cholas captured him and took him to India, where he died in captivity.

Demise

In 993 CE, the Chola Emperor Rajaraja I invaded Sri Lanka, forcing the then Sri Lankan ruler Mahinda V to flee to the south of the country. [1] The Mahavamsa describes the rule of Mahinda V as weak, and the country was suffering from poverty by this time. It further mentions that his army rose against him due to lack of wages. [2] Taking advantage of this situation, Rajendra I, son of Rajaraja I, launched a large invasion in 1017. Mahinda V was captured and taken to India, and the Cholas sacked the city of Anuradhapura. They moved the capital to Polonnaruwa and subsequent Sri Lankan rulers who came into power after the Chola reign continued to use Polonnaruwa as the capital, thus ending the Anuradhapura Kingdom. [1]

Demographics

Arrival of Tamils

Potsherds bearing early Tamil writing dating back to the 5th century BCE have been discovered across Sri Lanka, from Poonakari in Jaffna in the north to Tissamaharama in the south. These inscriptions include clan names such as "Vela," which is related to the velir of ancient Tamil country. [3] Epigraphic evidence also indicates that people identified themselves as Damelas or Damedas - the Indo-Aryan Prakrit word for Tamil people - in Anuradhapura, the capital of Rajarata, as well as in other parts of the island as early as the 2nd century BCE. [4] Excavations in the area of Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka have unearthed locally issued coins, produced between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century CE, some of which carry local Tamil personal names written in early Tamil characters, [5] which suggest that Tamils were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period. [6] Other ancient inscriptions from the period reference a Tamil merchant, [note 1] the Tamil householder residing in Ilubharata [note 2] and a Tamil sailor named Karava. [note 3] Two of the five ancient inscriptions referring to the Damedas (Tamils) are in Periya Pullyakulam in the Vavuniya District, one is in Seruvavila district in Trincomalee District, one is in Kuduvil in Amparai District and one is in Anuradhapura. Literary sources also mention Tamil rulers bringing horses to the island in water craft in the second century BCE, most likely arriving at Kudiramalai. Historical records establish that Tamil kingdoms in modern India were closely involved in the island's affairs from about the 2nd century BCE. [7]

Technology

The irrigation works of ancient Sri Lanka which began around 300 BC during the reign of King Pandukabhaya and continued to be developed over the next thousand years, ranked among the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world. In addition to the underground canals, the Sinhalese were the first to construct entirely artificial reservoirs and dams for water storage. The system was extensively restored and further extended during the reign of King Parākramabāhu.

Monarchs

The House of Vijaya, The Five Dravidians, House of Lambakanna I, The Six Dravidians, House of Moriya and the House of Lambakanna II collectively produced 122 monarchs who ruled during this period.

Timeline

Vijayan era (377 BCE–66)
Lambakanna I era (66–436)
Moriya era (463– 691)
Lambakanna II era (691–1017)
│
400 BCE
│
300 BCE
│
200 BCE
│
100 BCE
│
0 CE
│
100 CE
│
200 CE
│
300 CE
│
400 CE
│
500 CE
│
600 CE
│
700 CE
│
800 CE
│
900 CE
│
1000 CE
│
1100 CE
│
1200 CE
│
1300 CE
Anuradhapura period

Events

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Dameda vanija gahapati Vishaka"
  2. ↑ "Ilu bhartechi Dameda karite Dameda gahapatikana"
  3. ↑ "Dameda navika karava"

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Siriweera 2004, p. 44.
  2. ↑ Wijesooriya 2006, p. 114.
  3. ↑ Mahadevan 2003, p. 48.
  4. ↑ Indrapala 2007, p. 157.
  5. ↑ Mahadevan 2000, p. 152–154.
  6. ↑ Bopearachchi 2004, p. 546–549.
  7. ↑ De Silva 1981, p. 30–32.

Bibliography

  • De Silva, K. M. (1981). A history of Sri Lanka. University of California Press. ISBN   978-0-520-04320-6.
  • Mahadevan, Iravatham (2003). Early Tamil epigraphy from the earliest times to the sixth century A.D. Cre-A. ISBN   9780674012271.
  • von Schroeder, Ulrich. 1990. Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka. 752 pages with 1610 illustrations. Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. ISBN   962-7049-05-0
  • von Schroeder, Ulrich. 1992. The Golden Age of Sculpture in Sri Lanka. [Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D. C., 1 November 1992 – 26 September 1993]. 160 pages with 64 illustrations. Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. ISBN   962-7049-06-9
  • Bandaranayake, Senake (2007). Sigiriya . Central Cultural Fund. ISBN   978-955-613-111-6.
  • Bopearachchi, Osmund (2004). "Ancient Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu". In Chevillard, Jean-Luc; Wilden, Eva (eds.). South-Indian Horizons: Felicitation Volume for François Gros on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Publications du Département d'Indologie – 94. Pondicherry: Institut Français de Pondichéry / École Française d'Extrême-Orient. pp. 546–549. ISBN   978-2-85539-630-9. ISSN   0073-8352.
  • Indrapala, K. (2007). The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE. Colombo: Vijitha Yapa. ISBN   978-955-1266-72-1.
  • Lokubandara, W. J. M. (2007). The Mistique of Sigiriya — Whispers of the Mirror Wall. Godage International Publishers. ISBN   978-955-30-0610-3.
  • Mendis, Ranjan Chinthaka (1999). The Story of Anuradhapura. Lakshmi Mendis. ISBN   978-955-96704-0-7.
  • Perera, Lakshman S. (2001). The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions. Vol. 1. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. ISBN   978-955-580-055-6.
  • Rambukwelle, P. B. (1993). Commentary on Sinhala Kingship — Vijaya to Kalinga Magha. Sridevi Printers. ISBN   978-955-95565-0-3.
  • Siriweera, W. I. (2004). History of Sri Lanka. Dayawansa Jayakodi & Company. ISBN   978-955-551-257-2.
  • Siriweera, W. I. (1994). A Study of the Economic History of Pre Modern Sri Lanka. Vikas Publishing House. pp. 44–45. ISBN   978-0-7069-7621-2.
  • Wijesooriya, S. (2006). A Concise Sinhala Mahavamsa. Participatory Development Forum. ISBN   978-955-9140-31-3.
  • Paranavithana, Senarath (July 1936). "Two Royal Titles of the Early Sinhalese, and the Origin of Kingship in Ancient Ceylon". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 68 (3): 443–462. doi:10.1017/S0035869X0007725X.
  • Mahadevan, Iravatham (March 2000). "Ancient Tamil Coins from Sri Lanka". Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies. XVII (2): 147–156.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.