Dutugamunu
Dutugamunu the Great (Sinhala: දුටුගැමුනු), also known as Duṭṭhagāmaṇī Abhaya, was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is renowned for first uniting the whole island of Sri Lanka by defeating and overthrowing Elara, a Tamil trader from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Anuradhapura kingdom in 205 BC. Dutugamunu also expanded and beautified the city of Anuradhapura and projected the power of the Rajarata kingdom across the island of Sri Lanka.
| Dutugamunu the Great ගාමිණී අභය | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Anuradhapura | |||||
Statue of King Dutugamunu beside Ruwanwelisaya Stupa | |||||
| Reign | 161 BC – 137 BC | ||||
| Coronation | 161 BC | ||||
| Predecessor | Elara | ||||
| Successor | Saddha Tissa of Anuradhapura | ||||
| Born | Thissamaharama, Hambanthota | ||||
| Died | 137 BC Anuradhapura | ||||
| Spouse | Queen Consort Ramani Bariya Kathi Queen Consort Rajitha Royal Concubine Kathika, ruler of Katiyawa division Royal Concubine Shardha(Krishna) A naagin | ||||
| Issue | Prince Saliya Princess Abhihitha Prince Ayesiva | ||||
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| House | House of Vijaya | ||||
| Dynasty | House of Vijaya | ||||
| Father | Kavan Tissa | ||||
| Mother | Viharamahadevi | ||||
| Religion | Theravāda Buddhism | ||||
Due to his significance as one of the most potent symbols of Sinhalese historical power, Dutugamunu's story is swathed in myth and legend. However, many aspects of the accounts of his life have been verified by contemporary inscriptions, and the basic account of his life is generally accepted as accurate.