mr.karu peiris - history 2 - polonnaruwa period

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  • 8/13/2019 Mr.karu Peiris - History 2 - Polonnaruwa Period

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    Mr.W. Karu Peiris

    Former Programme Officer National Heritage Commission

    Histo

    ry:

    PolonnaruwaPeriod

    1

    History II - Polonnaruwa Period (1017-1235 AD)

    Cholas conquered Ceylon end of 10thcentury remain in power more than six decades

    Polonnaruwanew center of administration located about 101 km from Anuradhapura destruction of palaces and shrines at Anuradhapura no Sinhalese style monuments under Cholas Polonnaruwadid not have large population but center of monumental architecture Mahawamsa records Anuradhapura period and Chulavamsa records Polonnaruwa

    period

    military garrison stationed here during Anuradhapura period became place of importance by 6thcentury AD under name of Pulatthinagara

    o name means city of Pulasti who was a famous sage Topa Veva tank built by king Upatissa ll

    o This will later be incorporated into Parakrama Samudra(AD 522)

    Aggabodhi lV weak kings came to power

    (AD 667-685) first Sri Lankan King to live in Polonnaruwa

    Mahinda V Royal province of Rajaratain north given over to mercenaries and central

    forced to flee from unpaid Malaysian troops

    authority of king had collapsed

    Cholas captured Mahinda V Ruhunanever pacified and continued to be trouble for Chola

    in Ruhuna 24 years later

    Anuradhapuralast king Mahinda V

    The Sinhala Kings who came to power after defeating of the Chola also continued to have

    Polonnaruwaas the capital. Polonnaruwahad a strategic value in security. Route to the South

    of the island could be controlled from there. It was farther away from the Western coast where

    invaders from South India landed. With the early constructions of large tanks in this area such as

    was defeated by South Indian Emperor Rajaraja in 993 AD

    and was exile to South India and he died there later. A Viceroy was appointed to Sri Lanka by theChola Emperor and ruled the country from South India. The capital was shifted from

    Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwaand named it as Jananathapuram or Jananathamandalam. Sri

    Lanka was named as Mummudi Chola Mandalam. They plundered Anuradhapura city anddamaged the Buddhist monuments also. South Indians ruled this country for about 62 years.Only the exploitation took place, but any developments happened during this period.

    International trade became government monopoly and taxes collected by contractors. These taxcollectors abused system and taxes sometimes reached up to 50%. Buddhist institutions no

    longer benefitted from national taxes. Areas like Anuradhapura with its many monastic

    institutions fell into disarray.

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    Mr.W. Karu Peiris

    Former Programme Officer National Heritage Commission

    Histo

    ry:

    PolonnaruwaPeriod

    3

    The next great king was Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 AD).

    surpassed former leaders with magnificence in architectural achievements became master of Ceylon invaded South India several times and Burma as well Chulawamsa recorded series of victories but result was Pandian invasion of island exhibited great vision and ambition at early age came to throne as teenager and set about developing irrigation 1stterritory between modern Kurunegala and southwest coast (northeast of Colombo) built new capital at Panduwas Nuwara reorganized government administration nationalized gem and pearl industry exported to Arab world through his ports at Kalpitiya, Colombo and Chilaw conquered Polonnaruwa in 1161AD and took control of entire island developed Dakkhina Desa along southwest coast drained its swamps and planted coconut palms now famous Coconut Triangle the highest number of village tanks in the island is found around Yapahuwa-Panduwas Nuwara

    area

    according to Chulawamsa he constructed or restored 38 tanks in Dakkhina Desa turned ancient of Anuradhapura into wildlife sanctuary restored many monuments in Anuradhapura restored Mihintale home of Buddhism on island perhaps greatest task to unite three orders of monks

    o before king Parakramabahus period wealth of monasteries had been squanderedo surviving monks hopelessly divided

    Mahavihara, Abayagiri and Jethavana monks united into Nikaya Sangaha or SupremeOrder

    inscription at Gal Vihara records attempt to settle these issues this unification of different orders insured preservation of Buddhism on island created seat of learning at Alahana Pirivena about time Padua and Oxford established

    built triple circuit of walls around the city and strong Citadel within joined 5 earlier tanks and created second sea of Parakramabahu

    (Topa vewa, Eramudu vewa, Kalahala vewa, Dumbuthulu Vewa and Boo Vewa)

    Between the King Vijayabahu and the King Parakramabahu there were three kings, but they

    were not much important. The King Parakramabahu was the king of Dakkinadisa earlier and

    ruled from Parakramapura which is today known as Panduwasdevnuwara. His mother was

    Ratnawali who was a daughter of King Vijayabahu I and his father was Manabharana the ex-

    ruler of Dakkinadesha. When Parakramabahu came to power, step by step he defeated the other

    provincial kings and brought the whole country under his rule and continued his capital as

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    Mr.W. Karu Peiris

    Former Programme Officer National Heritage Commission

    Histo

    ry:

    PolonnaruwaPeriod

    4

    Polonnaruwa. His reign was a period of peace. Buddhism was restored to its pristine glory,

    purity and unity.

    He arranged a consecration with the help of chief monk Dimbulagala Kashyapa Thera and rid the

    sanga of indiscipline monks. A large number of buildings both religious and secular were built

    during his time. Thivanka Image house, Galvihara or Uttararama, Alahana Pirivena (which is aworld heritage site), his palace- Vaijayantha prasada, his council chamber- Raja Vaishya

    Bhujanga Mandapa, the Kumara pokuna, Deepa Uyana and Vatada ge, Baddhasima Prasada and

    Kirivehera are some of them. He repaired edifices such as the Lova Maha Paya, built by earlier

    kings. He built great irrigation works such as Parakrama Samudra and other canal systems. He

    believed that not a single drop of rain water allow to flow into the sea without being used. This

    King engaged himself in foreign wars in Burma and South India. In this period Sri Lanka was

    known as the granary of the East because of the abundance and prosperity. He did much but

    with a great cost. The country could not afford such ambitious schemes so it declined after his

    reign. death of king led to administrative collapse of country last powerful ruler of island no major irrigation works for another 700 years only two kings after him able to rule entire island (Parakramabahu ll and Parakramabahu

    Vl)

    indications of high taxes and discontent in later years of his reign overreached (fell by trying to achieve more than is possible) himself by sending fleet against Burma & S.

    India

    series of weak rulers followed and disruptive factions appeared at court

    new series of invasions, appearance of malaria and perhaps even climate change sent Gen. Lankapura to Pandian territory in 1169 took city of Madhura but became embroiled ( )in Indian politics

    for years after him

    drain on his resources and ended in defeat his death in 1186

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    Mr.W. Karu Peiris

    Former Programme Officer National Heritage Commission

    Histo

    ry:

    PolonnaruwaPeriod

    5

    Nissanka Malla(1186-1196 AD)

    born in allied Buddhist kingdom of Sri Vijaya (Sumathra). He was able to stop the decline for a

    short period. Within the nine years of his reign he did much. Polonnaruwa continued alliance

    with Pandyas until end of 12thcentury. He built a palace by the side of Parakrama Samudra and

    also his council chamber. Today we can see the megalithic pillars and the throne in the shape ofa lion. Each pillar represented the position of the officer. There is an inscription saying that the

    Vata Daage was built by King Nissanka Malla, but historians believe this was built the great King

    Parakramabahu and Nissanka Malla did some renovations only. He built Hatadage, the Tooth

    Relic Temple, Rankoth Vehera, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya etc. He visited many places in Sri

    Lanka including Sri Paada Kanda (Adams Peak). His inscriptions are found almost all over the

    country, but some making impossible claims. He died in 1196 and son Veerabahu was

    assassinated the next day.

    After him there were 12 kings and queens within a period of 17 years. This was a period of

    problems and a period of Dark Ages with few sources to describe events. South Indians invaded

    three times and in 1210 said to have destroyed entire social structure of religious organization.

    Pirate admiral Magha from Sumatra or Malaysia or Kalinga was worst of all. He attacked Sri

    Lanka in 1214 with 24,000 soldiers and conquered the island. Country was defenseless and he

    devastated the whole island. Sri Lanka went through the worst period of its history. Maghas

    invasion of Ceylon in 1214 credited with downfall of civilization.

    Barbaric tyrant who ruled for 25 years depleted islands remaining resources Ceylon never recovered from Magha destroyed the temples and plundered them seized lands, insulted Buddhist monks, tortured and harassed opponents Blood and Iron policy implemented throughout the country to protect his power he was contemporary to Genghis Khan Polonnaruwa capital survived until 1236 under 19 kings, when city finally abandoned drift to southwest of kingdoms begins in the 13thcentury (1236 AD onwards)

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    Mr.W. Karu Peiris

    Former Programme Officer National Heritage Commission

    Histo

    ry:

    PolonnaruwaPeriod

    6

    Polonnaruwa General

    medieval capital of Sri Lanka and one of most beautiful historical sites home of two most important kings in Sri Lankan history, Vijabahu I and

    Parakramabahu the Great

    The significance of this historical city was that the unanimous attitude of Sinhala and Tamil

    nations as well the harmony of Buddhism and Hinduism which amalgamated very well during

    this period. According to Dr. Shiran Deraniyagala this could be proved through the

    archaeological evidences. Even today also these two religions mingled together. Buddhist and

    Hindu monuments could be seen within same locations in this ancient city.

    Kings came to be regarded as aspirants to Buddha hood. Early periods, the Kings were treated as

    gods. The king was assisted by a Council of Ministers. The country was divided into certain parts

    and ruled under Epas and Yapas (provincial leaders). During the prominent kings periods

    country was centrally controlled than other periods. The King Parakramabahu appointed

    governors to the provinces. The revenue was derived mainly from agriculture. Some foreign

    trades also prevailed. Buddhism had a set back during Cholas occupation and during the reigns

    of the lesser kings. Hindu influence crept in. Rituals and ceremonies (According to the real

    Buddhism these activities are known as Seelabbathaparamasa, or falsehood practices) recorded

    a growth. The King Parakramabahu unified the three Buddhist sects to one. Hindu shrines were

    built. Vilgam Vihara was a Tamil Buddhist Temple.

    Polonnaruwa period was the prime days of Sanskrit learning in Sri Lanka. Sanskrit was used in

    inscriptions too. Pali and Sanskrit languages influenced Sinhala Literature. The highly

    appreciated books, Ama watura and Dharmapradeepika were written in this period.

    Sculpture and Inscriptions:

    Examples for sculptures are the so called statue of the King Parakramabahu at Pothgulvehera,

    intricately carved stone Buddha statues at Gal Vihara, brick and stucco statues of Thuparama,

    Lankatilaka, Thivanka Image house. The council of chambers built by King Parakramabahu and

    the King Nissanka Malla etc. The most well known inscriptions of Polonnaruwa period are the

    Panakaduwa copper plate, Ambagamuwa, (off the Nawalapitiya-Ginigathhena Road)

    Polonnaruwa slab inscriptions, the King Parakramabahus rock inscription at Gal Vihara,Velaikkara Tamil inscription, Galpotha of Nissankamalla and a pillar inscription at Padaviya.

    Polonnaruwa was buried under the earth and encroached by the dense forest until 19 thcentury

    for 700 years. The British did the excavations. The first person who revealed the information

    about Polonnaruwa was Lt. Fargon in 1820 AD. Another 50 years later an army officer Berch and

    Lt. Stuart photographed the ruins. Later H. M. Burrows, H.C.P. Bell and Dr. Paranavithana started

    the excavations.