Anuradhapura Kingdom
Anuradhapura Kingdom (Sinhala: අනුරාධපුර රාජධානිය, translit: Anurādhapura Rājadhāniya, Tamil: அனுராதபுர இராச்சியம்), named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka related to the Sinhalese people. According to the Mahāvaṃsa, it was founded by King Pandukabhaya in 437 BC, whose authority extended throughout the country.
Kingdom of Anuradhapura අනුරාධපුර රාජධානිය (Sinhala) Anurādhapura Rājadhāniya அனுராதபுர இராச்சியம் (Tamil) Anurātapura irācciyam | |||||||||
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| 437 BC–1017 AD | |||||||||
Flag of King Dutugamunu (161-137 B.C.), as depicted in the Dambulla Viharaya cave no.2 | |||||||||
Kingdom of Anuradhapura Principality of Malaya (Maya Rata) Principality of Ruhuna (Ruhunu Rata) | |||||||||
| Capital | Anuradhapura 8°21′0.000″N 80°23′1.000″E | ||||||||
| Common languages | Sinhala, Tamil | ||||||||
| Religion | Majority Theravada Buddhism (from 267 BC) Hinduism (~267 BC) Minority: Eastern Christianity:
Islam (since 7th century AD) Judaism (since 9th century AD) Mahayana Buddhism Jainism | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| Monarch | |||||||||
• 437 BC-367 BC | Pandukabhaya | ||||||||
• 982–1017 | Mahinda V | ||||||||
| Historical era | Anuradhapura period | ||||||||
• Established | 437 BC | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1017 AD | ||||||||
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| Historical states of Sri Lanka |
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Buddhism played a major role in the Anuradhapura period, influencing its culture, laws, and methods of governance. The society and the culture were revolutionized when the faith was introduced during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa; this cultural change was further strengthened by the arrival of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka and the patronage extended by her rulers.
During the Anuradhapura era, the country was invaded by South Indians several times. Rulers such as Dutthagamani, Valagamba, and Dhatusena are noted for defeating South Indian invaders and unifying the country. Other rulers such as Sena II are notable for dispatching forces to the South Indian mainland, and gaining several victories such as the sacking of Madurai in 862.
The kingdom was largely based on agriculture, hence the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, ensuring water supply in the dry zone and helping the country grow mostly self-sufficient. Several kings, most notably Vasabha and Mahasena, built large reservoirs and canals, which created a vast and complex irrigation network in the Rajarata area throughout the Anuradhapura period. These constructions are an indication of the advanced technical and engineering skills used to create them. The famous paintings and structures at Sigiriya; the Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavana stupas, and other large stupas; large buildings like the Lovamahapaya; and religious works (like the numerous Buddha statues) are landmarks demonstrating the Anuradhapura period's advancement in sculpting.