Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka, 1017–1236. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was the Sinhalese kingdom that expanded across the island of Sri Lanka from 1070 until 1232. The kingdom unified the island and started expanding its overseas influence during the reign of Parakramabahu the Great. The royal court was embroiled with factionalism chiefly between the Pandya and Kalinga bloodlines of the Polonnaruwa kings. In 1212, the capital was seized by Parakrama Pandyan, a rival claimant who took power via Pandyan assistance.
Seat of power: Polonnaruwa
Rulers
Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1056–1111
Following a seventeen-year-long campaign, he successfully drove the Cholas out of the island in 1070, reuniting the country for the first time in over 77 years. During his reign, he re-established Buddhism in Sri Lanka and repaired much of the damage caused to infrastructure during the wars.
Vikramabahu I of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1111–1132
He was able to gain the throne while his aunt and her sons fled the country.
Gajabahu II of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1132–1153
The Mahavamsa claims that he strongly supported non-Buddhist religions, though inscriptions suggest that he supported both Hindu and Buddhist temples alike. He was defeated and succeeded by Parakramabahu I.
Parakramabahu I
King of Polonnaruwa, 1153–1186
He oversaw the expansion and beautification of his capital, constructed extensive irrigation systems, reorganised the country's army, reformed Buddhist practices, encouraged the arts and undertook military campaigns in South India and Burma. Following a protracted civil war, he secured power over the entire island around 1153 and remained in this position until his death in 1186.
Portrait of Parakramabahu I: Graham Racher from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, file
Vijayabahu II of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1186–1187
He was the nephew of his predecessor, Parakramabahu I.
Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1187–1196
He is known for his architectural constructions such as the Nissanka Lata Mandapaya, Hatadage and Rankot Vihara, as well as for the refurbishment of old temples and irrigation tanks. Nissanka Malla declared that only a Buddhist had the right to rule the country, thereby securing his position and justifying his claim for kingship.
Portrait of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa: Sujeewa de Silva, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Chodaganga of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1196–1197
He usurped his uncle Vikramabahu II and ruled for nine months before he was deposed and blinded by the general Senevirat, who installed Lilavati, wife of Parakramabahu I, as the new ruler.
Lilavati of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1197–1200
She was the fourth woman in Sri Lankan history to rule as sovereign in her own right. She ruled as sole monarch on three occasions in the near-anarchy following Parakramabahu's death, with the backing of various generals.
Portrait of Lilavati of Polonnaruwa: Mr Jean-Michel Moullec, CC BY 2.0, file
Sahassa Malla of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1200–1202
He succeeded Lilavati, who was removed from the throne by her co-ministers. He was deposed by General Ayasmantha and succeeded by Kalyanavati.
Portrait of Sahassa Malla of Polonnaruwa: Mr Jean-Michel Moullec, CC BY 2.0, file
Kalyanavati of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1202–1208
In 1202, the chief of the army, Ayasmanta, deposed king Sahassa Malla, and placed the dowager queen Kalyanavati on the throne in his stead. Her reign is described as a peaceful one. Queen Kalyanavati is known to have founded religious monuments, notably the vihara at Pannasalaka.
Dharmasoka of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1208–1209
He was three months old when General Ayasmantha installed him as king, succeeding Kalyanavati.
Lilavati of Polonnaruwa
King of Polonnaruwa, 1209–1212
Lilavati reigned as Queen of Polonnaruwa in 1197 to 1200, 1209 to 1210, and 1211 to 1212. She was the fourth woman in Sri Lankan history to rule as sovereign in her own right.
Portrait of Lilavati of Polonnaruwa: Mr Jean-Michel Moullec, CC BY 2.0, file
Lokissara
King of Polonnaruwa, 1210–1211
Lokissara was a Damila soldier who was enlisted with an army abroad and defeated the Royal Polonnaruwa Army deposing Lilavati. Lokissara ruled for nine months from 1210 to 1211 before the Royal Army restored Lilavati for the third time.
Parakrama Pandyan II
King of Polonnaruwa, 1212–1215
He was a Pandyan king who invaded the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa in the thirteenth century and ruled from 1212 to 1215 CE. He ruled for three years until Polonnaruwa was invaded and he was taken captive by Kalinga Magha, who succeeded him.
Kalinga Magha
King of Polonnaruwa, 1215–1236
Kalinga Magha was an invader from the Kingdom of Kalinga who usurped the throne from Parakrama Pandyan II of Polonnaruwa in 1215. A massive migration followed of Sinhalese people to the south and west of Sri Lanka, and into the mountainous interior, as they attempted to escape his power. Magha was the last ruler to have his seat in the traditional northern seat of native power on the island, known as Rajarata.
Culture
- Generals like Ayasmanta and Lokissara would repeatedly seize the throne and install puppet rulers.
- As described in the Mahavamsa, Polonnaruwa was sacked and its population massacred, and the widespread devastation prompted a massive migration into the South, ending the 1500-year long civilization of the Rajarata basin.
- Vijayabahu III, the ruler of the fortress of Dambadeniya, established the Kingdom of Dambadeniya in 1232, marking the beginning of the transitional period in Sri Lankan history.
Picture
The Gal Vihara is a rock temple of the Buddha in Polonnaruwa, fashioned in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu I.
Image: Singhalawap, CC BY-SA 3.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.