Polonnaruwa
Encyclopedia : P : PO : POL : Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real Polonnaruwa Hero of the history books is actually his grandson, Parakramabahu I.
It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the patronage of the King, who was adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed during Parakramabahu's reign, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the east of the country. The greatest of these systems, of course is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama, a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. It is of such a width that it is impossible to stand upon one shore and view the other side, and it encircles the main city like a ribbon, being both a defensive border against intruders and the lifeline of the people in times of peace. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was completely self-sufficient during King Parakramabahu's reign.
However, with the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all other monarchs of Polonnaruwa, were slightly weak-willed and rather prone to picking fights within their own court. They also went on to form more intimiate matrimonial alliances with stronger South Indian Kingdoms, until these matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage and gave rise to the Kalinga invasion by King Magha in 1214 and the eventual passing of power into the hands of a Pandyan King following the Arya Chakrawarthi invasion of Sri Lanka in 1284. The capital was then shifted to Dambadeniya.
Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers.
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Kings and Queens of Polonnaruwa
- Vijayabahu I
- Jaya Bahu
- Vikrama Bahu
- Parakrama Bahu, The Great
- Nissankamalla I
- Queen Lilavati
Archeological ruins
- The Royal Palace at Polonnaruwa (Vejayanta Pasada)
- The Council Chamber / Audience Hall
- The Vatadage (Round House)
- Moonstones
- Thuparamaya (Image House)
- Latha Mandapaya (Lotus Sanctuary)
- Atadage (House of Eight Relics)
- Gal Potha (Stone Book)
- Gal Viharaya
- Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Bath)
- Satmahal Prasada (A square pyramidal tower in seven tiers)
- Hatadage (The Shrine of Sixty Relics)
- Lankathilake
- Ran Kot Vehera (The Golden Pinnacle Dagaba)
- Pabulu Vehera (Coral Shrine)
- Kiri Vehera (Milk-white shrine)
- Demala Maha Seya
- Potgul Vihara (The Monastery)
- Tivanka Image House
- Alahana Pirivena (Alahana University)
- Siva Devale (Siva Shrine)
- Kumara Pokuna (Royal Bath)
References
- A. Seneviratne, Polonnaruwa Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka, Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. p. 310, 1998.
- S. M. Burrows, The Buried Cities of Ceylon - A Guide Book to Anuradhapura and Polonaruwa Reprint, p. 120, 1999.
- Amaradasa Liyanagamage, The decline of Polonnaruwa and the rise of Dambadeniya, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government Press, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1968.
See also
External links
- [The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa]
- [Polonnaruwa]
- [Ancient City of Polonnaruwa]
- [Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - World Heritage]
- ["Discovering Polonnaruwa"] - an article in The Hindu
- [Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board]
| Main Cities Of Sri Lanka |
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|---|---|
| Colombo | Trincomalee | Jaffna | Kandy | Anuradhapura | Polonnaruwa | Galle | Batticaloa | Kotte | Kurunegala | Badulla | Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia | Moratuwa | |
This belongs to North Central Province of Sri Lanka
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