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Queen Anula of Anuradhapura was the first queen in Sri Lankan history to have wielded meaningful power and authority, as well as the first female head of state in Asia. Anula initially rose to power as consort of King Chore Naga, son of King Valagambahu of Anuradhapura. However, in her five-year reign, she poisoned her way through at least four other husbands and consorts, and she eventually governed Rajarata on her own. She should not be confused with the other famous Anula in Sri Lankan history, king Devanampiyatissa's sister-in-law, the first woman in Sri Lanka to be ordained as a bikkhuni. The primary source for her reign is the Mahavamsa, chapters XXXIV and XXXV.
The Anuradhapura Kingdom, named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka and Sinhalese people. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 437 BC, the kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time which expanded towards the end of the kingdom. Nonetheless, the king of Anuradhapura was seen as the supreme ruler of the entire island throughout the Anuradhapura period.
The Anuradhapura period was a period in the history of Sri Lanka of the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 377 BC to 1017 AD. 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.
Mahallaka Naga was the King of Anuradhapura from the House of Lambakanna I. He ruled from 135 till 141 AD. He was preceded by his father in law, Gajabahu I and succeeded by his son, Bhatika Tissa. During his succession to the throne, the king was very old, and thus he was popularly known as Mahallaka Naga or Mahalu Naga.
Mahakuli Mahatissa a.k.a. Maha Cula Maha Tissa was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC, who ruled from 76 BC to 62 BC. He succeeded his adopted father Valagamba as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his cousin Chora Naga.
Chora Naga, also known as Coranaga or Mahanaga, was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC, who ruled from 62 BC to 50 BC. He succeeded his cousin Mahakuli Mahatissa as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by Kuda Tissa. King Chora Naga was not a follower of the Mahavihara sect. He had even demolished 18 temples that belong to Mahavira. As a result, the author of the Mahāvaṃsa referred to him as a thief.
Kuda Tissa was a king of Anuradhapura, the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. He ruled in the 1st century BC, between 50 BC to 47 BC. He succeeded his uncle Chora Naga as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by Siva I.
Kutakanna Tissa, also known as Makalan Tissa, was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC, whose reign lasted from 42 BC to 20 BC. Known as the brother of king Kudatissa, Kutakanna Tissa re-established political stability and peace of the Anuradhapura kingdom by deposing queen Anula, an usurper to the Sinhalese throne. He was succeeded by his son Bhatikabhaya Abhaya.
Bhatikabhaya Abhaya was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century BC, whose reign lasted from 20 BC to 9 AD. He succeeded his father Kutakanna Tissa as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his brother Mahadathika Mahanaga. His reign is notable for having long term peace and prosperity in the country. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem during Batikhabaya's reign in Anuradhapura.
Kanirajanu Tissa was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century, whose short reign lasted from 30 to 33. He succeeded his brother Amandagamani Abhaya as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his nephew Chulabhaya. Mahavamsa mentions King Kanirajanu Tissa as an evil king who killed his brother King Amandagamini and ascended the throne.
Chandamukha Siva was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century, whose reign lasted from 44 to 52. He succeeded his father Ilanaga as King of Anuradhapura. Chandamukha was assasinated by his brother Yasalalaka Tissa at a water festival at Tissa Lake, and succeded him afterwards.
Yassalalaka Tissa was King of Anuradhapura in the 1st century, whose reign lasted from 52 to 60. He succeeded his brother Chandmukha and was succeeded by Subharaja. Yassalalaka, who came to the throne after assassinating his brother, is described in history as a playful as well as a vicious ruler, totally unfit for kingship.
Bhatika Tissa was King of Anuradhapura in the 2nd century, whose reign lasted from 141 to 165. He succeeded his father Mahallaka Naga as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his brother Kanittha Tissa.
Kanittha Tissa was King of Anuradhapura in the 2nd century, whose reign lasted from 165 to 193. He succeeded his brother Bhatika Tissa as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his son Cula Naga.
Siri Naga I was King of Anuradhapura in the 2nd century, whose reign lasted from 196 to 215. He succeeded his brother-in-law Kuda Naga as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his son Voharika Tissa.
Abhaya Naga was King of Anuradhapura in the 3rd century, whose reign lasted from 237 to 245. He succeeded his brother Voharika Tissa as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his nephew Siri Naga II.
Vijaya Kumara was King of Anuradhapura in the 3rd century, whose reign lasted from 247 to 248. He succeeded his father Siri Naga II as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by Sangha Tissa I.
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.
The Sinhalese monarchy has its origins in the settlement of North Indian Indo-Aryan immigrants to the island of Sri Lanka. The Landing of Vijay as described in the traditional chronicles of the island, the Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa and Culavamsa, and later chronicles, recount the date of the establishment of the first Sinhala Kingdom in 543 BC when Prince Vijaya, an Indian Prince, and 700 of his followers landed on the island of Sri Lanka and established the Kingdom of Tambapanni. In Sinhalese mythology, Prince Vijaya and followers are told to be the progenitors of the Sinhalese people. However according to the story in the Divyavadana, the immigrants were probably not led by a scion of a royal house in India, as told in the romantic legend, but rather may have been groups of adventurous and pioneering merchants exploring new lands.
