The Anuradhapura Kingdom

by Husna Inayathullah

Anuradhapura was the first Kingdom established in ancient Sri Lanka. It was founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC.

The kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom.

King Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura was seen as the supreme ruler of the country throughout the Anuradhapura period. Buddhism played a strong role in the Anuradhapura period, influencing its culture, laws and methods of governance. King Pandukabhaya ruled Anuradhapura for 70 years.

Society and culture were revolutionised when the faith was introduced during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa.

The cultural change was further strengthened by the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka and the patronage extended to it by her rulers.

Invasions from South India were a constant threat throughout the Anuradhapura period. Rulers such as Dutthagamani, Valagamba, and Dhatusena are noted for defeating the South Indians and regaining control of the kingdom. Other rulers who are notable for military achievements include Gajabahu I, who launched an invasion against the invaders, and Sena II, who sent his armies to assist a Pandyan prince.

Agriculture

As the kingdom was largely based on agriculture, 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 self-sufficient. Several kings, 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.

The 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; massive buildings such as Lovamahapaya; and religious works (such as the numerous Buddha statues) are landmarks demonstrating the Anuradhapura period's advancement in sculpting.

In 543 BC, Prince Vijaya arrived in Sri Lanka, having been banished from his homeland in India.

He eventually brought the island under his control and established himself as king. After this, his followers established villages and colonies throughout the country.

One of these was established by Anuradha, a minister of King Vijaya, on the banks of a stream called Kolon and was named Anuradhagama. In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya made it his capital and developed it into a prosperous city. Anuradhapura was named after the minister who first established the village and after a grandfather of Pandukabhaya who lived there.

The name was also derived from the city's establishment on the auspicious asterism called Anura. Anuradhapura was the capital of all the monarchs who ruled the country during in the Anuradhapura Kingdom, with the exception of Kashyapa I (473-491), who chose Sigiriya to be his capital.

King Pandukabhaya fixed village boundaries in the country and established an administrative system by appointing village headmen.

He built hermitages, houses for the poor, cemeteries, and irrigation tanks. He brought a large portion of the country under the control of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

However, it was not until the reign of Dutthagamani (161-137 BC) that the whole country was unified under the Anuradhapura Kingdom. He defeated 32 rulers in different parts of the country before he killed Elara, the South Indian ruler who was occupying Anuradhapura, and ascended to the throne.

The chronicle Mahavamsa describes his reign with much praise, and devotes 11 chapters out of 37 for his reign.

He is described as both a warrior king and a devout Buddhist. After unifying the country, he helped establish Buddhism on a firm and secure base, and built several monasteries and shrines including the Ruwanweli Seya and Lovamahapaya.