Kavan Tissa, Prince of Ruhuna

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Kavan Tissa
King of Ruhuna
Reign205–161 BC
Predecessor Ghotabhaya
Successor Dutthagamani
Burial
Situlpawwa Temple
Consort Viharamahadevi
Issue Dutthagamani

Saddhatissa

Prince Deeghabhaya

Princess Mahila

Princess Samantha
House House of Vijaya
Father Ghotabhaya
Religion Theravāda Buddhism

Kavan Tissa, also known as Kaha Wan Thissa (Golden-coloured Tissa) and Kaka Wanna Tissa (Crow-coloured Tissa) was the king of the Kingdom of Ruhuna in the southern part of Sri Lanka. He ruled Ruhuna, at the same time as Kelani Tissa of Maya Rata. Kavan Tissa was a great-grandson of King Devanampiyatissa's youngest brother Mahanaga, and also the father of the King Dutugemunu.

Contents

Sources

As with his son Dutugemunu, Kavan Tissa's figure is mostly swathed in myth and legend. [1] The main source of information on his life is Mahavamsa , the historical chronicle about the kings of Sri Lanka, which portrays Kavan Tissa as "devoutly believing in the three gems, [and] he provided the brotherhood continually with... needful things". [2]

Life and Legacy

In Wilhelm Geiger's rendering of the Mahavamsa Kavantissa is given as Kakavannatissa. Under that name, the Mahavamsa mentions him twice. [3] [2] In chapter 15 Kavantissa, or Kakavannatissa is the son of a king named Gothabhaya and father of king Abhaya better known as Dutthagamini, correctly spelt as Dutugemunu. [4] Chapter 15 of the Mahavamsa has been called, either by Geiger or by previous scribes, "The acceptance of the Mahavihara". Chapter 22 of the Mahavamsa, "The birth of Prince Gamani" mentions of the city of Rohana where there are "still princes who have faith in the three gems" (Buddha, his Teaching, the Community of monastics). Chapter 22 describes the war against the Damila. This name of Damila occurs both in the Mahavamsa and in the Culavamsa (Small Chronicle).

See also

References

  1. de Silva, C.R.: Sri Lanka - A History. 2nd edition, New Delhi 1997. ISBN   81-259-0461-1. p. 29f.
  2. 1 2 "Chapter XXII".
  3. "Chapter XV".
  4. "King Kavan Tissa - House of Vijaya | Ruhuna - (BC 205 - BC 161)". mahawansaya.com.