Anuradhapura period


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.

Overview

Periodization of Sri Lanka history:

Political history

Early Anuradhapura period (377 BCE – 463 CE)

, 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, 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, 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 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 BCE restored the Dutugamunu dynasty. During his reign, doctrinal disputes arose between the Mahavihara and Abhayagiri traditions. The Tripitaka was committed to writing in Pali at Aluvihara, Matale. Chora Naga reigned from 63–51 BCE and was allegedly poisoned by his consort Anula. Queen Anula, 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 is noted for the Vallipuram gold plate, fortifying Anuradhapura, constructing eleven tanks, and issuing several edicts. Gajabahu I invaded the Chola kingdom bringing back captives and recovering the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
Mahasena initially persecuted the Theravada Mahāvihāra, allowing Mahayana influence to rise, though he later reconciled wirh the Mahāvihāra. Pandu was the first of seven Pandyan rulers, ending with Pithya in 455 CE. Dhatusena, his uncle, oversaw the composition of the Mahavamsa by Mahanama, and constructed Kalaweva. His son Kashyapa, 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

, 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. Sangamitta's son Samanera Sumana also accompanied them to aid in propagating Buddhism, following the Third Buddhist Council, upon the recommendation of Moggaliputta-Tissa. 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 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

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 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. 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. 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.

Demographics

Arrival of Tamils

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. 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. 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, which suggest that Tamils were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period. Other ancient inscriptions from the period reference a Tamil merchant, the Tamil householder residing in Ilubharata and a Tamil sailor named Karava. Two of the five ancient inscriptions referring to the Damedas 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.

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

Events

  • 377 BCE: The Anuradhapura Kingdom is founded by Pandukabhaya

    In popular culture

  • The God King, 1974 English and Sinhala historical film
  • Aba, 2008 Sinhalese historical film
  • Mahindagamanaya, 2011 Sinhalese historical film
  • Aloko Udapadi, 2012 Sinhalese historical film
  • Siri Daladagamanaya, 2014 Sinhalese historical film
  • Maharaja Gemunu, 2015 Sinhalese historical film
  • Mahaviru Pandu, 2020 Sinhalese drama by Hiru TV
  • Asirimath Dalandagamanaya, 2022 Sinhalese drama by Hiru TV