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{{Short description|Period in the history of Sri Lanka during the Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BC-1017 AD)}}
{{Being merged to|Anuradhapura kingdom|discuss=Talk:Anuradhapura Kingdom#Merge proposal|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox historical era
| name = Anuradhapura period
| start = 377 BCE
| end = 1017
| image = File:British Museum Asia 45 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Gilded bronze statue of the Bodhisattva [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara]], dated to the 8th century, found in the eastern coast of Sri Lanka
| before = [[Early kingdoms period|Pre Anuradhapura period]]
| including = {{Plainlist|
* [[Early Anuradhapura period]]
* [[Middle Anuradhapura period]]
* [[Late Anuradhapura period]]}}
| after = [[Polonnaruwa period]]
| monarch = {{Plainlist|
* [[House of Vijaya]]
* [[The Five Dravidians]]
* [[House of Lambakanna I]]
* [[The Six Dravidians]]
* [[House of Moriya]]
* [[House of Lambakanna II]]}}
| leaders =
}}
{{Main|History of Sri Lanka|Anuradhapura Kingdom}}
{{History of Sri Lanka}}
The '''Anuradhapura period''' was a period in the history of Sri Lanka of the [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]] from 377 BCE to 1017 CE. The period begins when [[Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura|Pandukabhaya]], [[Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara|King of Upatissa Nuwara]] moved the administration to [[Anuradhapura]], becoming the kingdom's first monarch. Anuradhapura is heralded as an ancient cosmopolitan citadel with diverse populations.

==Overview==
Periodization of Sri Lanka history:
{{Smalldiv|{{Sri Lankan history overview}}}}

==Political history==
===Early Anuradhapura period (377 BCE – 463 CE)===
[[Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura|Pandukabhaya]] (437–367 BCE), king of Upatissa Nuwara was the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and 6th over all of the island of Sri Lanka since the arrival of [[Vijaya of Sri Lanka|Vijaya]]. He reigned from 437 BC to 367 BCE. According to many historians and scholars, he was the first truly Sri Lankan king since the arrival of Vijaya and the ruler who ended the conflict between the Sinha clan and the local communities, reorganizing the populace.

[[Ellalan|Elara]] (205–161 BCE), a [[Tamil People|Tamil]] King of [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] origin, ruled "Pihiti Rata"- the region of Sri Lanka north of the [[Mahaweli]] - after defeating King [[Asela of Sri Lanka|Asela]]. During Elara's time, [[Kelani Tissa]] was a sub-king of [[Maya Rata]] in the southwest and [[Kavan Tissa]] was a regional sub-king of [[Ruhuna]] in the southeast. Kavan Tissa constructed [[Tissa Maha Vihara]], [[Dighavapi Tank]] and numerous shrines in Seruvila. His eldest son, [[Dutthagamani of Sri Lanka|Dutugemunu]] (161–137 BCE), at the age of 25 defeated the South Indian Tamil Invader Elara, then over 64 years of age, in single combat, as described in the [[Mahavamsa]]. Dutugemunu is often depicted as a Sinhalese "Asoka". [[Ruwanwelisaya]], which he constructed, is a dagaba of pyramid-like proportions and stands as an engineering marvel of its time

[[Pulahatta]] (or Pulahatha) was deposed by [[Bahiya]], who in turn was deposed by [[Panaya Mara]], followed by [[Pilaya Mara]], and later murdered by [[Dathiya]] in 88 BCE,  until [[Vattagamani Abhaya of Sri Lanka|Valagamba]] finally deposed him, bringing an end to Tamil rule. Valagamba I (89–77) BCE restored the [[House of Vijaya|Dutugamunu dynasty]]. During his reign, doctrinal disputes arose between the Mahavihara ([[Theravada]])  and Abhayagiri (pro-[[Mahayana]]) traditions. The [[Tripitaka]] was committed to writing in [[Pali]] at [[Aluvihara]], [[Matale]]. [[Chora Naga of Anuradhapura|Chora Naga]] (also known as Mahanaga) reigned from 63–51 BCE and was allegedly poisoned by his consort Anula. [[Queen Anula]] (48–44 BCE),  widow of Chora Naga and later [[Kuda Tissa of Anuradhapura|Kuda Tissa]], became the first queen to rule Sri Lanka. She gained notoriety for having multiple lovers, many of whom were reportedly poisoned by her. Queen Anula was eventually killed by Kuttakanna Tissa. Vasabha (67–111 CE) is noted for the [[Vallipuram]] gold plate, fortifying [[Anuradhapura]], constructing eleven tanks, and issuing several edicts. [[Gajabahu I of Sri Lanka|Gajabahu I]] (114–136 CE)  invaded the [[Chola kingdom]] bringing back captives and recovering the sacred [[tooth relic|Tooth Relic]] of the Buddha.

[[Mahasena of Sri Lanka|Mahasena]] (274–301 CE) initially persecuted the [[Theravada]] Mahāvihāra, allowing [[Mahayana]] influence to rise, though he later reconciled wirh the Mahāvihāra. Pandu (429 CE) was the first of seven Pandyan rulers, ending with Pithya in 455 CE. [[Dhatusena of Sri Lanka|Dhatusena]] (459–477 CE), his uncle, oversaw the composition of the Mahavamsa by Mahanama, and constructed Kalaweva. His son [[Kashyapa I of Sri Lanka|Kashyapa]] (477–495 CE), built the renowned [[Sigiriya]] rock palace where some 700 rock inscriptions offer a glimpse into ancient [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] life and language.

====Arrival of Buddhism and the sacred Tooth Relic====
[[Devanampiya Tissa of Sri Lanka|Devanampiya Tissa]] (250–210 BCE), a [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] King of the [[Maurya]] lineage, played a pivotal role in introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka. His links with Emperor [[Asoka]] facilitated the arrival of [[Mahinda (buddhist monk)|Mahinda]], son of Asoka in 247 BCE to spread the teachings of the Buddha. [[Sangamitta]], Mahinda's sister, brought a [[Bodhi]] sapling to the island via Jambukola (Sambiliturei). [[Sangamitta]]'s son Samanera Sumana also accompanied them to aid in propagating [[Buddhism]], following the [[Third Buddhist Council]], upon the recommendation of [[Moggaliputta-Tissa]] (Ashoka's spiritual teacher). They were further accompanied by Bhankuka, a lay disciple and maternal grandson of [[Mahinda (buddhist monk)|Mahinda]]'s aunt.

However, historical evidence does not confirm that Emperor Ashoka had a son named Mahinda (or by any other name) or a daughter named Sangamitta. King Devanampiya Tissa’s reign was crucial for the establishment of [[Theravada Buddhism]] in Sri Lanka and had a lasting impact on the island’s religious and cultural history.

===Middle Anuradhapura period (463–691)===

===Late Anuradhapura period (691–1017)===
====Lambakanna====
[[Manavanna of Anuradhapura|Manavanna]] (684–718 CE) seized the throne with the support of the [[Pallava]]s, introducing Pallava patronage that lasted for three centuries. By the 9th century, however, the [[Pandyan]] ascendancy in southern India led to the sacking of Anuradhapura. In response, the Sinhalese mounted a counter-invasion using a rival Pandya prince, ultimately sacking [[Madurai]] itself. [[Mahinda V of Sri Lanka|Mahinda V]] (982–1029CE) was the last Sinhalese monarch of Anuradhapura. He fled to [[Principality of Ruhuna|Ruhuna]], but in 1017, the Cholas captured him and took him to India, where he died in captivity.

====Demise====
In 993 CE, the Chola Emperor [[Rajaraja I]] invaded Sri Lanka, forcing the then Sri Lankan ruler Mahinda V to flee to the south of the country.{{sfn|Siriweera|2004|p=44}} The Mahavamsa describes the rule of Mahinda V as weak, and the country was suffering from poverty by this time. It further mentions that his army rose against him due to lack of wages.{{sfn|Wijesooriya|2006|p=114}} Taking advantage of this situation, [[Rajendra I]], son of Rajaraja I, launched a large invasion in 1017. Mahinda V was captured and taken to India, and the Cholas sacked the city of Anuradhapura. They moved the capital to [[Polonnaruwa]] and subsequent Sri Lankan rulers who came into power after the Chola reign continued to use Polonnaruwa as the capital, thus ending the Anuradhapura Kingdom.{{sfn|Siriweera|2004|p=44}}

==Demographics==
===Arrival of Tamils===
[[Potsherds]] bearing [[Tamil-Brahmi|early Tamil writing]] dating back to the 5th century BCE have been discovered across Sri Lanka, from [[Poonagari|Poonakari]] in [[Jaffna]] in the north to [[Tissamaharama Tamil Brahmi inscription|Tissamaharama]] in the south. These inscriptions include clan names such as "Vela," which is related to the [[Velirs|velir]] of [[ancient Tamil country]].{{sfn|Mahadevan|2003|p=48}} [[Epigraphic]] evidence also indicates that people identified themselves as Damelas or Damedas - the [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] [[Prakrit]] word for Tamil people - in [[Anuradhapura]], the capital of [[Rajarata]], as well as in other parts of the island as early as the 2nd century BCE.{{sfn|Indrapala|2007|p=157}} Excavations in the area of Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka have unearthed locally issued coins, produced between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century CE, some of which carry local Tamil personal names written in early Tamil characters,{{sfn|Mahadevan|2000|p=152–154}} which suggest that Tamils were present and actively involved in trade along the southern coast of Sri Lanka by the late classical period.{{sfn|Bopearachchi|2004|p=546–549}} Other ancient inscriptions from the period reference a Tamil merchant,{{NoteTag|"Dameda vanija gahapati Vishaka"}} the Tamil householder residing in Ilubharata{{NoteTag|"Ilu bhartechi Dameda karite Dameda gahapatikana"}} and a Tamil sailor named Karava.{{NoteTag|"Dameda navika karava"}} Two of the five ancient inscriptions referring to the Damedas (Tamils) are in Periya Pullyakulam in the [[Vavuniya District]], one is in Seruvavila district in [[Trincomalee District]], one is in Kuduvil in [[Amparai District]] and one is in [[Anuradhapura]]. Literary sources also mention Tamil rulers bringing horses to the island in water craft in the second century BCE, most likely arriving at [[Kudiramalai]]. Historical records establish that Tamil kingdoms in modern India were closely involved in the island's affairs from about the 2nd century BCE.{{sfn|De Silva|1981|p=30–32}}

==Technology==
{{Main|Ancient constructions of Sri Lanka|Irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka}}

The irrigation works of ancient [[Sri Lanka]] which began around 300 BC during the reign of King [[Pandukabhaya]] and continued to be developed over the next thousand years, ranked among the most complex [[irrigation system]]s of the [[ancient world]]. In addition to the underground [[canal]]s, the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] were the first to construct entirely artificial reservoirs and [[dams]] for water storage. The system was extensively restored and further extended during the reign of King [[Parākramabāhu]].

==Monarchs==
The [[House of Vijaya]], [[The Five Dravidians]], [[House of Lambakanna I]], [[The Six Dravidians]], [[House of Moriya]] and the [[House of Lambakanna II]] collectively produced 122 monarchs who ruled during this period.

==Timeline==
{{Simple Horizontal timeline

|from = -400
|to = 1300
|inc = 100
|width =

|axis-negativeFmt =%s BCE
|axis-positiveFmt =%s CE
|axis-zeroFmt = %s CE
|axis-nudge =-0.8em

|styleDefault-height = 1.5em
|styleDefault-1-border = none;
|styleDefault-3-border = none;text-align:left
|styleDefault-3-texttop = 0em;left:0.5em;
|styleDefault-5-border = none;text-align:left
|styleDefault-5-texttop = 0em;left:0.5em;

|stylePre-boxcolour = Yellow
|stylePre-border = none;border:2px solid Gold

|row1 = timeline
|row1-style = styleDefault
|row1-1-to = -377
|row1-2-to = 66
|row1-2-style = stylePre
|row1-3-text = Vijayan era (377 BCE–66)

|row2 = timeline
|row2-style = styleDefault
|row2-1-to = 66
|row2-2-to = 436
|row2-2-style = stylePre
|row2-3-text = Lambakanna I era (66–436)

|row3 = timeline
|row3-style = styleDefault
|row3-1-to = 463
|row3-2-to = 691
|row3-2-style = stylePre
|row3-3-text = Moriya era (463– 691)

|row4 = timeline
|row4-style = styleDefault
|row4-1-to = 691
|row4-2-to = 1017
|row4-2-style = stylePre
|row4-3-text = Lambakanna II era (691–1017)

|row5 = scale
|caption = Anuradhapura period
}}

===Events===
* 377 BCE: The [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]] is founded by [[Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura|Pandukabhaya]]

==In popular culture==
{{Main|Anuradhapura period in popular culture}}

* [[The God King]], 1974 English and Sinhala historical film
* [[Aba (film)|Aba]], 2008 Sinhalese historical film
* [[Mahindagamanaya]], 2011 Sinhalese historical film
* [[Aloko Udapadi]], 2012 Sinhalese historical film
* [[Siri Daladagamanaya]], 2014 Sinhalese historical film
* [[Maharaja Gemunu]], 2015 Sinhalese historical film
* [[Mahaviru Pandu]], 2020 Sinhalese drama by [[Hiru TV]]
* [[Asirimath Dalandagamanaya]], 2022 Sinhalese drama by [[Hiru TV]]

==See also==
* [[Sinhala Kingdom]]
* [[List of Sinhalese monarchs]]
* [[Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka]]

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite book| last = De Silva|first= K. M. | title = A history of Sri Lanka| url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_dByI_qil26YC | publisher = [[University of California Press]] | year = 1981 | isbn = 978-0-520-04320-6 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Mahadevan |first1=Iravatham |title=Early Tamil epigraphy from the earliest times to the sixth century A.D. |date=2003 |publisher=Cre-A |isbn=9780674012271}}
*von Schroeder, Ulrich. 1990. ''Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka''. 752 pages with 1610 illustrations. Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. {{ISBN|962-7049-05-0}}
*von Schroeder, Ulrich. 1992. ''The Golden Age of Sculpture in Sri Lanka''. [Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D. C., 1 November 1992 – 26 September 1993]. 160 pages with 64 illustrations. Hong Kong: Visual Dharma Publications, Ltd. {{ISBN|962-7049-06-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Bandaranayake|first=Senake|title=Sigiriya|publisher=Central Cultural Fund|year=2007|isbn=978-955-613-111-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sigiriyacitypala0000band}}
* {{Cite book|last=Bopearachchi|first=Osmund|chapter=Ancient Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu|editor1-last=Chevillard|editor1-first=Jean-Luc|editor2-last=Wilden|editor2-first=Eva|title=South-Indian Horizons: Felicitation Volume for François Gros on the occasion of his 70th birthday|year=2004|publisher=Institut Français de Pondichéry / École Française d'Extrême-Orient|place=Pondicherry|series=Publications du Département d'Indologie – 94|isbn=978-2-85539-630-9|issn=0073-8352|pages=546–549}}
* {{Cite book|last=Indrapala|first=K.|author-link=K. Indrapala|title=The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE|publisher=Vijitha Yapa|year=2007|location=Colombo|isbn=978-955-1266-72-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Lokubandara|first=W. J. M.|title=The Mistique of Sigiriya — Whispers of the Mirror Wall|publisher=Godage International Publishers|year=2007|isbn=978-955-30-0610-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Mendis|first=Ranjan Chinthaka|title=The Story of Anuradhapura|publisher=Lakshmi Mendis|year=1999|isbn=978-955-96704-0-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Perera|first=Lakshman S.|title=The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions|publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies|year=2001|volume=1|isbn=978-955-580-055-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Rambukwelle|first=P. B.|title=Commentary on Sinhala Kingship — Vijaya to Kalinga Magha|publisher=Sridevi Printers|year=1993|isbn=978-955-95565-0-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Siriweera|first=W. I.|title=History of Sri Lanka|publisher=Dayawansa Jayakodi & Company|year=2004|isbn=978-955-551-257-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Siriweera|first=W. I.|title=A Study of the Economic History of Pre Modern Sri Lanka|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|year=1994|isbn=978-0-7069-7621-2|pages=44–45}}
* {{cite book|last=Wijesooriya|first=S.|title=A Concise Sinhala Mahavamsa|publisher=Participatory Development Forum|year=2006|isbn=978-955-9140-31-3}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Paranavithana|first1=Senarath|title=Two Royal Titles of the Early Sinhalese, and the Origin of Kingship in Ancient Ceylon|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|date=July 1936|volume=68 |issue=3|pages=443–462 |doi=10.1017/S0035869X0007725X }}
* {{cite journal|last=Mahadevan|first=Iravatham|author-link=Iravatham Mahadevan|date=March 2000|title=Ancient Tamil Coins from Sri Lanka|journal=Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies|volume=XVII|issue=2|pages=147–156}}
{{refend}}

===Further reading===
{{Main|Bibliography of Sri Lanka}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Early kingdoms period|Pre Anuradhapura period]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Anuradhapura period<br>of [[History of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan history]]|years=377 BC–1017}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Chola occupation of Anuradhapura]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Anuradhapura period}}
{{History of Sri Lanka bar}}
{{Sri Lanka topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:History Of Sri Lanka}}
[[Category:Anuradhapura period]]
[[Category:Ancient Sri Lanka]]

Anuradhapura period - Revision history

Ankushraj at 02:41, 3 March 2026