Edit filter log

'{{Short description|Sinhalese kingdom in present-day Sri Lanka (1055-1232)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox Former Country | native_name = පොළොන්නරුව රාජධානිය | conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Polonnaruwa | common_name = Polonnaruwa Kingdom | era = Polonnaruwa period | image_map = File:Anuradhapura Kingdom Infinity Resolution.svg | image_map_caption = Pre-1153 map of Rajarate NOTE: The differences between Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura is the territory of the As parts of Anuradhapura after being liberated from the Chola’s became part of the other principalities of the Rajarate | government_type = [[Monarchy]] | year_start = 1055 | year_end = 1232 | p1 = Anuradhapura Kingdom | s1 = Kingdom of Dambadeniya | s2 = Jaffna Kingdom | capital = [[Polonnaruwa|Vijayarajapura]] | common_languages = [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]]<br />[[Sanskrit]]{{sfn|De Silva|page=101}} | languages = [[Khmer language|Khmer]] | languages_type = Other languages | religion = [[Buddhism]]<br />[[Hinduism]]{{sfn|De Silva|p=58}} | title_leader = [[List of Sri Lankan monarchs|Monarch]] | leader1 = [[Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa|Vijayabahu I]] | leader2 = [[Parakramabahu I]] | leader3 = [[Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa|Nissanka Malla]] | leader4 = [[Kalinga Magha]] | year_leader1 = 1055-1111 | year_leader2 = 1153-1186 | year_leader3 = 1187-1196 | year_leader4 = 1215-1232 | demonym = {{lang-si|පොළොන්නරු|Polańaru}} | currency = Coins | area_km2 = | area_rank = | GDP_PPP = | GDP_PPP_year = | HDI = | HDI_year = | today = Sri Lanka<br/>India }} {{Sri Lankan former states}} {{Contains special characters|Indic}} the '''Kingdom of Polonnaruwa'''{{efn|Pulatthinagara as mentioned in the Culawamsa}} ({{lang-si|පොළොන්නරුව රාජධානිය|Polonnaruwa Rājādhaniya}}) was the kingdom that ruled the island of [[Sri Lanka]] and several overseas territories, from 1070 until 1232. The kingdom started expanding its [[empire|overseas authority]] during the reign of [[Parakramabahu the Great]].{{sfn|Wright|page=37}} It had a stronghold in [[South India]] since its involvement in a civil war in the Pandya country. During this war, [[Pandya Nadu]] was seized as a province administered by the military of Polonnaruwa. The tributaries of the [[Chola empire]], Tondi and Pasi, also came under its military rule. Its currency ''Kahapana'' was struck in these provinces. During the occupation of South India, construction works were undertaken. Despite being a kingdom, it had been under the control of its Royal Army, which captured power twice and remained dominant in politics. Other militaries also had captured power in the kingdom. ==History== After ruling the country for over 1,400 years, the [[Kingdom of Anuradhapura]] fell in 1017 to the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] [[Raja Raja Chola I|King Rajaraja]] and his son Rajendra, who took King Mahinda V as a [[POW|prisoner of war]] to Tamil Nadu; he died there in 1029. The Cholas shifted the capital from [[Anuradhapura]] to [[Polonnaruwa]] and ruled for nearly 53 years. Polonnaruwa was named as Jananathapuram by the Cholas. King [[Vijayabahu I]] (or Kitti) eventually defeated the Cholas and re-established the Sinhalese monarchy.{{sfn|Finegan|page=323}} Polonnaruwa had always been considered an important settlement in the island, as it commanded the crossings of the [[Mahaweli Ganga|Mahaveli River]] towards Anuradhapura.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} 3 years after restoring Anuradhapura, Vijayabahu prepared to fight a possible invasion. He moved the capital out of Anuradhapura to a more defensive position, Polonnaruwa.{{sfn|Keuneman|1983|page=39}}{{sfn|Fernando|Pieris|page=14;15;19}} After the victory at Polonnaruwa, Vijayabahu had to face more rebellions. This caused him to delay his coronation, which took place in 1072 or 1073,{{sfn|Haraprasad|page=172}} eighteen years after being crowned as Vijayabahu in Ruhuna, and after a military campaign that lasted seventeen years. Polonnaruwa was renamed Vijayarajapura and chosen as the capital. The coronation ceremony was held in a palace built for this purpose in Anuradhapura, the former capital of the country. Vijayabahu married Lilavati, the daughter of [[Jagatipala of Kanauj]], as his queen. He later married Tilokasundari, a princess from [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], with the view of strengthening ties with the Kalingas.{{sfn|Corrington|1926|pages=IV}} ===Succession war=== Vijayabahu's death left a disputed throne; the absolute successor [[Parakramabahu I]] was only selected after a war between the claimants to the throne. Firstly he entered secret negotiations with [[Gajabahu II|Gajabahu]]'s military chief, but these attempts to capture power failed. He then sent the army of Dakkhinadesa to capture Rajarata, but he was introduced to Manabaraha, who allied with Gajabahu. Despite the setback, he captured Rajarata. Gajabahu, his army weakened, found himself in a battle against Manabharana as well. He later declared that he have passed over Rajarata to Parakramabahu of Dakkhinadesa. Manabharana was also defeated.{{sfn|Obesekara|page=136-8}} ===Parakramabahu=== [[File:Relief of Parakramabahu in Polonnaruwa.jpg|thumb|King Parakramabahu I|150px]] Following the end of the Kalinga-Arya conflict, [[Parakramabahu I]], unified the three principalities: [[Kingdom of Ruhuna|Rohana]], [[Malaya Rata|Malaya]], and [[Rajarata]]; declaring the islandwide [[Dakkhinadesa]], he formed the Polonnaruwa kingdom in the latter. His reign saw the expansion of the kingdom, leading raids and large-scale invasions against his opponents. He launched an invasion against the kings of Ramanna (currently lower Burma) due to their acts of hostility such as the kidnapping of a princess by [[Narapatisithu|Narathu's son Narapatisithu]]. In this invasion, he captured the Burmese city [[Pathein|Bassein]].<ref name='aes'>{{harvnb|Mendis|1996|page=65}}</ref> ===After Parakramabahu=== Following the death of Parakramabahu, [[Vijayabahu II]] ascended the throne. He called Nissanka Malla to visit the country and take the throne. Vijayabahu II was however killed by the invader [[Mahinda VI of Polonnaruwa|Mahinda VI]]. Nissanka Malla assassinated Mahinda VI, and justified his killing by claiming he was the rightful ancestor of [[Vijaya Singha]]. ==Kingdom== ===Agriculture=== Starting from the era of Parakramabahu I, there was great interest for irrigation.{{sfn|Manchanayake|Bandara|1999|page=4}} He ordered: {{quote|Let no water drop that fall from the rain make it to the sea without been useful to the mankind}} Mass tanks were built for this purpose. Some of his notable works are the [[Parakrama Samudra]] and the [[Giritale tank]]. These works surpassed what existed during the [[Anuradhapura period]]. Previously built dams were largely renovated during this period.{{sfn|Yapa|2010}}<ref name='parakrarama'>{{harvnb|Finegan|page=468}}</ref> [[File:The Delightful Sunset in Parakrama Samudra.jpg|thumb|The Parakrama Samudra|300px]] ===Demographics=== {{see also|Polonnaruwa#Demographic}} The [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] accounted for the majority, and the [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] language was the common language. Settlements from Cambodia are recorded, the [[Khmer people|Khmer]] settled in a area called ''Kambojavâsaĺa''.{{sfn|Robert|page=224;225}} The Khmer script was used to write Pali texts such as the [[Mahavamsa#Extended|Khmer script version of the ''Mahavamsa'']].{{efn|This version of the ''Mahamvamsa'' was written during the Polonnaruwa period, it includes the content from the ''Culawamsa''.}} ===Trade=== Most trade was carried out through the main seaports of the principality, Kalpitiya, Halaavatha (Chilaw) and Colombo.{{sfn|Paranavitane|Nicolas|1961|pages=204-205}} ====Coinage==== [[File:Sahasamalla_-_Massa.jpg|200px|thumb]] The coins were mostly made of copper, the coins are modeled after its ruler. While gold coins also existed within the kingdom and was used, they largely disappeared in the very last days of Parakramabahu I. This may have been due to an economic crisis caused by the burden. It is to be noted that the coinage of Polonnaruwa shows a great resemblance to that of RajaRaja I of the Chola kingdom. The Setu coins found in South India are also likely from the kingdom of Polonnaruwa, as the Chola or Pandya kingdoms had no reason to use these.{{sfn|Davids|page=31}} Trade with the Chinese dynasties was extensively high at the period, and coins belonging to the [[Song dynasty]] have been found throughout Polonnaruwa.{{sfn|Barnes|Parkin|2015}} Meanwhile, in its colonial territories in South India, the '''Kahapana''' currency was used.{{sfn|Davids|page=31;32}} ===Technology and structures=== {{see also|Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka}} The ancient Sinhalese civilization was technologically advanced. The irrigation technology of Polonnaruwa was much similar to the Anuradhapura period ones, but was even more advanced. [[James Emerson Tennent]] writes: {{quote|they attain a facility unsurpassed by any other people in the world.{{sfn|Mendis|page=248}}}} Divine architecture ranging from larger dams to artificial seas, such as the Parakrama Samudra, always required advanced technology, and were built in unique ways.{{sfn|Siriweera|page=174}} ====Vatedage==== {{main|Vatadage}} [[File:Watadageya.jpg|thumb|Vatadage|200px]] The Vatadages were built since the Anuradhapura period, however, the peak was reached during the Polonnaruwa period. The [[Polonnaruwa Vatadage]] is considered the "ultimate creation" out of all Vatadages. A Vatedage is built for the protection of a small stupa.{{sfn|Siriweera|page=285}} The structure has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings. The lower platform is entered through a single entrance facing the north, while the second platform can be accessed through four doorways facing the four cardinal points. The upper platform, surrounded by a brick wall, contains the stupa. Four Buddha statues are seated around it, each facing one of the entrances. Three concentric rows of stone columns had also been positioned here, presumably to support a wooden roof. The entire structure is decorated with stone carvings. Some of the carvings at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, such as its sandakada pahanas, are considered to be the best examples of such architectural features. Although some archaeologists have suggested that it also had a wooden roof, this theory is disputed by others. ====Nissanka Malla reign==== {{main|Hatedage|Nissanka Latha Mandapaya}} The Hatedage and Nissanka Latha Mandapaya was built by Nissanka Malla (1187-1197) to store the relics. Several relics including relics of the Tooth of Buddha and Rice Bowls used by the Buddha are said to have been held in the Hatadage. Several historical sources including the ''[[Rajaveliya]]'', ''Poojavaliya'' and the Galpotha inscription itself mention that it was built in sixty hours. Since the [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] word ''Hata'' means sixty and ''Dage'' means relic shrine, it is possible that the structure was named Hatadage to commemorate this feat. Another theory is that it is so named because it held sixty relics. [[File:Polonnaruwa_0320.jpg|thumb|The [[Rankoth Vihara]] built by Nissanka Malla]] Despite having built many structures, Nissanka Malla's major intention was to outdo the works of Parakramabahu I. He also built a statue of himself. ==Military (1153&ndash;1186)== {{see also|List of wars involving Sri Lanka}} Parakramabahu organized the military of the kingdom. There were auxiliary forces made up mostly of other Buddhist ethnicities. ===Ground forces=== There were several branches of the ground forces of Polonnaruwa of Parakramabahu. The Culawamsa suggests that the strength may have been as many as 100,000 during the 1140s prior to the first battle of Rajarata. Its strength during the Pandyan war is not said, however, it may have been numerous as well. The ground forces could be divided between the main armies led by [[Lankapura Dandanatha]] and the auxiliary forces made up mostly of minorities. ====Army==== The armies of Parakramabahu in the early days were led by Rakkha. There were other important generals who Parakramabahu dispatched in order to reinforce Rakkha fighting the forces of Ruhunan speratists.{{sfn|De Soysa|page=25}}<ref>{{citation|last=Edirisuriya|first=C.|title=Parakramabahu I|url=https://lankalibrary.com/geo/kings/parakramabahu.htm}}</ref> ====Auxiliaries==== The auxiliary units were used to reinforce the Sinhalese army on multiple occasions. These units were largely made up of Buddhist minorities, and tribals. ===Naval forces=== The first navy was organized in 1165. This was used for the invasion of Burma.<ref>{{cite book|last=Richard|first=S.|title=Sri Lanka|page=228}}</ref><ref>The Maritime Frontier of Burma: Exploring Political, Cultural and Commercial Interaction in the Indian Ocean World, 1200-1800. p. 43</ref> ==Fall== Following the death of Kalinga Lokeshvara, his son [[Vira Bahu I]] took up power. However, he was killed by the military commander Tavuru Senavirat.{{sfn|Obesekara|page=38}} A period of [[military junta|military rule]] was followed by the ascension of [[Vikramabahu I]]; who was assassinated by nephew of Kalinga Lokeshvara, [[Chodaganga]]. The military once again organized a coup and arrested Chodaganga.{{sfn|Wijesekara|page=176}} The military became more dominant, ousting the monarchy; as a result king Anikanga appealed for support from the Cholas. An army was sent, and Anikanga ascended the throne.{{sfn|Rambukwalle|pages=136;163}} The three month-old [[Dharmásoka of Polonnaruwa]] was slaughtered along with the commander of the Polonnaruwa Royal Army. The military once again seized power, and [[Lilavati of Polonnaruwa|Lilavati]] was installed to the throne. She was ousted by [[Lokissara]], a military commander. The Royal Army, being a rival to Lokissara's forces, killed him.{{sfn|Corrington|1926|page=67}} ===Sacking of Lilavati=== [[Parakrama Pandyan II]] from [[Pandyan Dynasty|Pandyan Kingdom]] invaded Polonnaruwa, thus forcing Lilavati into exile. Parakrama Pandyan II ascended the throne, reigned between 1212 and 1215 CE. He was ousted by the invader, [[Kalinga Magha]], who in the aftermath founded the [[Jaffna kingdom]]. Kalinga Magha ruled 21 years until he was also expelled from Polonnaruwa in 1236, with an invasion from the south. ===Succession=== After defeating and expelling Kalinga Magha{{efn|Magha was defeated and his forces abandoned Polonnaruwa, Vijayabahu decided to not invade further into Jaffna which would have led to a weakening of his armies}} from Polonnaruwa, [[Vijayabahu III]] moved the [[Kingdom of Dambadeniya|capital to Dambadeniya]]. He founded the [[House of Sri Sanga Bo]]. ==Religion== [[Buddhism]] continued to be the main religion in Polonnaruwa era. Its monarchs enjoyed exchange of religious jewels and other expensive items with the [[Theravada Buddhist]] kings of [[Siam]], [[Burma]], and [[Kampuchea]]. Prior to the Buddhist kings' takeover, there was a strong influence of [[Hinduism]] caused by Cholas. It is evident from the removal of cow shape in Polonnaruwa moonstone, and also by the presence of Shiva temples in Polonnaruwa. After Chola rule, many viharas were renovated by Vijayabahu I and his successor Parakramabahu I. ===Buddhism=== The primary form of Buddhism practiced in the Polonnaruwa kingdom was the orthodox school of Buddhism; following religious reforms in Burma, many monks there aligned themselves with the Polonnaruwan monks.{{sfn|Harvey|1925|page=55}} ===Distribution to Cambodia=== {{see also|History of Buddhism in Cambodia|Buddhism in Cambodia}} Khmer King [[Jayavarman VII]] sent his son Tamalinda to Polonnaruwa to be ordained as a Buddhist monk and study Theravada Buddhism according to the Pali scriptural traditions. Tamalinda then returned to the Angkor, and promoted Buddhist traditions according to the Theravada training he had received, galvanizing the long-standing Theravada presence that had existed throughout the Angkor for centuries.{{sfn|Lester|page=75}} ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Galvihara-sunny2.jpg|Buddha statues in Gal Vihara Image:Satmahal Prasada.jpg|Seven storeyed [[Satmahal Prasada]] Image:Polonnaruwa-temple19.jpg|Moonstone of Polonnaruwa Image:Polonnaruwa-panta.jpg|Parakrama Samudra built by king Parakramabahu I Image:Giritale tank.JPG|[[Giritale Tank]] was the deepest tank in Sri Lanka during Polonnaruwa era. Image:Polonnaruwa 0305.jpg| Shiva Devalaya in Polonnaruwa, dating back to the early years of [[Chola rule in Sri Lanka]]. File:Polonnaruwa Velaikkara Slab Inscription.jpg|Polonnaruwa velaikkara ([[Tamil script|Tamil]]) inscription of [[Vijayabahu I]] </gallery> ==See also== *[[Polonnaruwa period]] *[[List of Sri Lankan monarchs]] *[[Kalinga (historical region)]] *[[Siri Parakum]] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}} {{notelist}} ===Citations=== {{reflist}} ==Sources== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book|title=An Archaeological History of Religions of Indian Asia|last=Finegan|first=Jack|publisher=Paragon|isbn=0913729434}} *{{cite book|last=Siriweera|first=I.|title=History of Sri Lanka: From the Earliest Times to the End of the Sixteenth Century|year=2002|location=Sri Lanka}} *{{cite book|last1=Manchanayake|first1=Palitha|last2=Bandara|first2=M|title=Water resources of Sri Lanka|year=1999|publisher=National Science Foundation}} *{{cite book|last=Barnes|last2=Parkin|title=Ships and the Development of Maritime Technology on the Indian Ocean|year=2015|location=India}} *{{cite book|last=Rambukwalle|first=R.|title=Commentary on Sinhala Kingship}} *{{cite book|title=Sri Lanka |last=Yapa |year=2010|publisher=Imgram Publications}} *{{cite book|last=Robert|first=R|title=A history of Early Southeast Asia}} *{{cite book|last=Obesekara|title=Heritage of Sri Lanka}} *{{cite book|last=Corrington|first=H.W|year=1926|title=A Short History of Ceylon|location=London|publisher=Macmillian publishers}} *{{cite book|last=Wijesekara|first=G.|title=Heritage of Sri Lanka}} *{{cite book|last1=Fernando|first1=M.|last2=Pieris|first2=M.|title=History of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)|year=1973}} *{{cite book|last=Sein|first=M.|title=Burma}} *{{cite book|last= de Silva |first= K. |title=A History of Sri Lanka}} *{{cite book | last1 =Paranavitana | first1 =Senarat | author1-link= Senerath Paranavitana| last2 =Nicolas | first2 =C. | title =A Concise History of Ceylon | publisher =Ceylon University Press | year =1961 | location =Colombo | oclc = 465385 }} *{{cite book|title=Sri Lanka|last=Briggs|first=P.|year=2018|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides}} *{{cite book| last= Keuneman| first= Hubert| title= Sri Lanka| year= 1983| publisher= A.P.A Publications}} *{{cite book|title= Post-humious papers of prof. Ahdir Chaktravati|last=Haraprasad|year=2007|publisher=RNB}} {{refend}} ==Further reading== *von Schroeder, Ulrich. (1990). ''Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka''. (752 p.; 1620 illustrations). Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. {{ISBN|962-7049-05-0}} *von Schroeder, Ulrich. (1992). ''The Golden Age of Sculpture in Sri Lanka - Masterpieces of Buddhist and Hindu Bronzes from Museums in Sri Lanka'', [catalogue of the exhibition held at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D. C., 1 November 1992 – 26 September 1993]. Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. {{ISBN|962-7049-06-9}} ==External links== *[http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/District/1142883&region_orderby=postdate_desc Polonnaruwa]. www.ancientworlds.com *{{url|gov.lk}} {{Polonnaruwa period topics}} {{Sinhalese Monarchy}} {{Monarchs of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa}} {{Sri Lanka topics}} [[Category:Kingdom of Polonnaruwa| ]] [[Category:Overseas empires]] [[Category:Kingdoms of Sri Lanka]] [[Category:Former countries in South Asia]] [[Category:Former countries in Asia]] [[Category:1017 establishments in Asia]] [[Category:11th-century establishments in Sri Lanka]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1017]] [[Category:1310 disestablishments in Asia]] [[Category:14th-century disestablishments in Sri Lanka]] [[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1310]]'