Megalithic Culture

The original inhibitors in Sri Lanka possessing a superior cultural heritage in around 1000 BC. They were utilized their technical knowledge and competency for agriculture activities, using iron for different purposes, applying irrigation techniques and manufacturing clay utensils. Black-Red clay utensils that they made were considered to be highly technical creations of the megalithic culture.

The burial grounds are the only available evidence related to this period. There are about 50 burial grounds have been identified in different parts of the island. However, excavations have been done only a few sites of Ibbankatuwa and Yatigalpotta near Dambulla, Pomparippu at Wilpattu national park and Gal Sohon Kanatta.

Indigenous Inhibitors

The oldest historical records of Sri Lanka stated in “Deepavamsa” and “Mahavamsa” say that four tribes named “Yakkhas”, “Rakshas”, “Nagas”, and “Devas” were inhabited in the island prior to the arrival of Prince Vijaya. Prince Vijaya descended from the kingdoms of Vanga the present Bengal in India was considered to be the first recorded king of Sri Lanka from 543 to 505 BC. 

Tambapanni

According to the “Mahavamsa”, Prince Vijaya was landed on the coast near “Mahathitha” (Mantota or Mannar) where they were nominated as “Tambapanni”. He was able to defeat the original inhibiter from the aid of local Princess Kuveni at their city called “Sirisavatthu". Then Prince Vijaya has established his kingdom and become the creator of the modern Sinhalese race.

The monarchical system of administration and concept of capital cities for Sri Lanka was enforced by King Vijaya. However, there were regional leaders and their own systems of administration were practised by the isolated groups of early settlers in Sri Lanka. 

The kingdom established by King Vijaya was Tambapanni and “Tammenna Nuwara” become the first official capital of Sri Lanka. Most probably it was located near the Malwatu River in the northwest part of the country. The “Upatissa Nuwara”, located south of Tammenna Nuwara at the mouth of the Malwatu River become the second capital. Upatissa, the chief advisor and the minister of King Vijaya has built the Upatissa Nuwara. He ruled the country for a short time till the heir of the throne came from India after the death of King Vijaya. King Panduvasdev successor of King Vijaya came from India ruled the country from Upatissa Nuwara from 504 to 474 BC. 

Emerging Anuradhapura as a Capital City

Another minister of prince Vijaya named “Anuradha” has settled the mid-way along the Malwatu river and named the area after his name. One can believe that this area situated in the boundaries of the Malwatu river rich with natural resources of water, fertile soil and minerals and covering with the thick forest has been intentionally selected for creating a city. However, this area later referred to as Anuradhapura has emerged as a city around 900 BC in the protohistoric era. Between 900 – 600 BC it was an urbanized city spread over 50 hectares.

There are several opinions on nominating this area as “Anuradhapura”. One opinion is that the minister of prince Vijaya named “Anuradha” has settled this area and named it after his name. Another opinion is that a prince named Anuradha (different from prince Vijaya’s minister) who lived in this area as a headman and constructed several reservoirs and to honour his area was named under his name. According to the ancient chronicle “Mahavamsa”, the name Anuradhapura was referred to due to two headmen named Anuradha live in this area and this citadel was established under the auspicious time of “Anura”. The Brahmi script indicated in the particle of a clay utensil belonged to 6th – 5th century BC excavated by Dr Shiran Deraniyagala, the former archaeological commissioner has confirmed the identification of the area as Anuradhapura.

First king of Anuradhapura Kingdom

The successor of king Panduvasdev was King Pandukabhaya (474-407 BC.). He has a strong connection with local inhibitors selected Anuradhapura as his capital. King Pandukabaya built Anuradhapura as a capital city with gardens, an irrigation and water supply system, sanitary system, temples, cemeteries, burial grounds on a systematic plan in 4th century BC. During this period first recorded massive reservoir of “Abhaya Wewa” was constructed on the right bank of the Malwatu river. Since then more than 30,000 reservoirs were constructed under the leadership of different kings throughout the country during the Anuradhapura period.

Introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka

Buddhism was introduced to the country in 247 BC under the guidance of Arhat Mahinda, the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashok during the kingship of Devanampiyatissa (307 – 267 BC), the grandson of King Pandukabhaya.

Buddhism was spread rapidly throughout the country with the patronage of the king and the state as well as the laypeople. The introduction of Buddhism has transformed the path of the country remarkably and influenced every nook and corner of the country and its culture. 

Anuradhapura, Centre of Theravada Buddhism 

From then onwards Buddhism gets the foremost position in the country till today. The present Constitution Article 9 states that: "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana. As such the Buddhism has become the main and the strongest factor of unifying the people of Sri Lanka. 

The “Mahavihara” at Anuradhapura, the earliest monastic complex in the country founded by King Devanampiyatissa and presented to Arhat Mahinda in 246 AD became the centre of the orthodox “Theravada” doctrine.

South Indian Invasions

From the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD, the capital city of Anuradhapura has thrived under 122 kings and queens who ruled the country from Anuradhapura for nearly 15 centuries. During this period Anuradhapura was stood as a significant religious nucleus and centre on the concept of kingship in Sri Lanka. Some monarchs were extremely powerful and able to rule the country in single sovereignty, but some were not as powerful as that and as a result, the Anuradhapura kingdom became highly vulnerable to invasions from South India. It suffered the overthrow of the throne several times, by invading kings from South India. These invaders were ruled the country for a certain period. But every time Sinhalese kings were able to defeat the invaders and established the sovereignty of the country.

Powerful kings of Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dutugemunu
King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC.) was one of such great kings, who was able to rule the country in one sovereignty. He constructed the “Ruwanvalisaya” with an original height of 180 feet and “Mirisavetiya” the magnificent stupa in Anuradhapura.

King Walagambahu

King Walagambahu (103-102 BC. and 89-77 BC.) was another king, who brought the country under one flag by defeating the South Indian king who ruled the country for 14 years. In this period “Abhayagiri  Vihara” was founded as a result of the growing schism in Mahavihara, and in time it became the seat of the reformed Mahayana doctrines.

King Vasmbha

During the reign of King Vasmbha (65-109 AD.) a significant development in agriculture, irrigation and Buddhism flourished. He constructed 11 reservoirs and 12 water canals.

King Mahasen 

King Mahasen (276-303 AD.) was one of the great kings who served the country’s economic development very well. He built one of the larger reservoirs “Minneriya Wewa” in Polonnaruwa and after his death, people in the area considered him as a god. During the reign of King Mahasen, the rivalry between the monks of the Mahavihara and the Abhayagiri Vihara led to a further split and the foundation of the “Jetavanarama” in the Jotivana Park of the Mahavihara.

King Dhatusena 

After the death of King Mahanama (410-432 AD.) South Indian invaders ruled the country and King Dhatusena (459-477 AD.) managed to defeat the invaders and restored the Sinhala kingship in Anuradhapura. He took the country into great prosperity and constructed 16 reservoirs, among them Kala Wewa and the 56-mile-long canal called Jayaganga which was built to carry water to Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura were his great hydraulic engineering works. His son King Kashyapa (477-495 AD.) who built his palace in the Sigiriya rock, which is now considered as the unofficial 8th Wonder of the World, characterizes the Sinhalese art and technological skill.

Late Anuradhapura Period

When the late Anuradhapura period (5th century to 10th century AD.) is compared with the early period, it is observed that it was a period of chaos, mostly because of the South Indian Invasion and also the internal revolts and weak administration.

The reigns of several kings were important in the Anuradhapura kingdom such as King Moggallana II (535-555 AD.), King Agrabhodhe I (575—608 AD.) and King Agrabhodhe II (608-618 AD), King Mahinda II (777-797 AD), King Sena II (853-887 AD.) and King Mahinda IV (956-972 AD.) are the kings who were able to develop the country and took Sri Lanka to the heights of a great nation in the world.

Last king of Anuradhapura Kingdom

Due to A South Indian invasion, King Mahinda V has ascended the throne in 982 AD. He became the last Sinhalese king who ruled the country from this splendid city and marked the end of 15 centuries long capital city activities.

Anuradhapura, the cradle of the Sinhalese civilization has considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The achievement that Sri Lankans were obtained in the fields of Agriculture, irrigation, arts, crafts, literature and high technical skills cannot be compared with any other civilisations in the world. In the meantime, Anuradhapura becomes the centre of Theravada Buddhism in the world. A lot of foreign scholars have visited Anuradhapura and studied Buddhism in that period.

Oldest living human–planted tree in the world

The most venerated living plant in the world not only Buddhist but also everybody in the world, the sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) locally referred Jaya Sri Maha Bhodi tree has considered the oldest living human–planted tree in the world with known planting date. It was brought to Sri Lanka from India and planted in the Anuradhapura in 288 BC.

UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site

Today the sacred city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site is a city with well-preserved ancient ruins of massive Buddhist pagodas, monasteries, grand palaces, pavilions, parks, bathing ponds and massive reservoirs where you can obtain an in-depth understanding of the history of Anuradhapura era and extraordinary sightseeing.

Read more on Anuradhapura:

https://www.fantasiatours.com/locations/view-individual/46

https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/167

https://www.fantasiatours.com/blogs/view-blog/vessagiriya-forgotten-murals-anuradhapura-unesco-world-heritage-site

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