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The monarchs of Sri Lanka,[N 1] also referred to as the Sinhalese monarchy, were the heads of state and rulers of the Sinhala Kingdoms located in present-day Sri Lanka, from 543 BCE (according to chronicles) until its abolition in 1815 CE.
| King of the Sinhala Kingdom | |
|---|---|
 Reconstructed royal Standard of the last King of Kandy | |
.jpg) Prince Vijaya | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Prince Vijaya |
| Last monarch | Sri Vikrama Rajasinha |
| Formation | 543 BCE (according to chronicles) |
| Abolition | 1815 CE |
| Residence | Tambapanni, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy |
The Sinhalese monarchy began with the settlement of North Indian Indo-Aryan speaking immigrants to the island of Sri Lanka. The Landing of Vijaya (as described in the traditional early chronicles of the island, the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa) recounts the date of the establishment of the first Sinhalese Kingdom in 543 BCE[N 2] when Indian prince Prince Vijaya (543–505 BCE) and 700 of his followers arrived in Sri Lanka, establishing the Kingdom of Tambapanni.[1][2] In Sinhalese mythology, Prince Vijaya and followers are told to be the progenitors of the Sinhalese people. However, according to the story in the Divyavadana, the immigrants were probably not led by a scion of a royal house in India, as told in the romantic legend, but rather may have been groups of adventurous and pioneering merchants exploring new lands.[3] On the other hand, other historians such as G.C. Mendis have suggested that the Vijaya story is a myth and has no historical basis.[4]
The Sinhala Kingdoms comprised the political states of the Sinhalese people and their ancestors; it existed as a series of successive kingdoms known by the city in which the administrative centre of the kingdom was located. These are, in chronological order: the kingdoms of Tambapanni, Upatissa Nuwara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Sitawaka and Kandy.[5][6][7][8] The last Sinhala Kingdom came to an end in 1815 with Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy after generations of European colonial influences and upheaval in the royal court.
During the two millennia of Sinhalese kingdoms, other political entities also existed on the island, including the Jaffna Kingdom,[9] the Vanni chieftaincies and the Portuguese and Dutch colonies.[10] These political entities are considered separate from the Sinhala Kingdoms.[11][12] A separate page lists the monarchs of the Jaffna Kingdom.
During the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BCE), Buddhism was introduced to the island by Ashoka of India.[13] By the time of Kithsirimevan (304–332 CE), Sudatta, the subking of Kalinga and Hemamala brought the Tooth Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka due to unrest in the country.[14] Kithsirimevan carried it in procession and placed the relic in a mansion named Datadhatughara.[15] He ordered this procession to be held annually, and this is still done as a tradition in the country to this day. The Tooth Relic of the Buddha soon became one of the most sacred objects in the country and a symbol of kingship. The person who was in possession of the Tooth Relic would thereafter be considered the rightful ruler of the country.[16]
The role of the monarch was absolute. The monarch was head of state but would be aided with high level officials and a board of ministers. The monarch was later seen as the supreme ruler throughout the island, even at times when they did not have absolute control over it.[17] However, the earliest inscriptions dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BCE suggest that the island was divided into several regional principalities and chieftaincies until the first war of unification fought by King Dutugamunu.[18] These early kings sought to establish control over the whole island, though in reality this was more of an aspiration. However periods of effective control over the whole island did exist from time to time.[19] The monarch also held judicial power and influence. Judicial customs, traditions and moral principles based on Buddhism were used as the bases of law. The laws and legal measures were proclaimed by the monarch, and were to be followed by the justice administration.[20] However the monarch was the final judge in legal disputes, and all cases against members of the royal family and high dignitaries of the state were judged by them, although this power was to be exercised with care and after consulting with their advisers.[21]
This article is a list of monarchs that have reigned over the nine successive kingdoms of the Sinhalese monarchy.[22][23] It is based on the traditional list of monarchs as recorded in the chronicles of the island, in particular the Mahavamsa and Rajavaliya.[24][25] It is not a list of ethnically Sinhalese monarchs as it contains all rulers of the Sinhalese kingdoms, both Sinhalese and foreign. Each monarch belongs to one of nine royal houses (Vijaya, Lambakanna I, Moriya, Lambakanna II, Vijayabahu, Kalinga, Siri Sanga Bo, Dinajara and Nayaks[N 3]), and follows a tradition of regnal names that span the entirety of the monarchy. For example, Vijayabahu was used 7 times over multiple kingdoms and multiple royal houses over a period of 500 years and there is no overlap of names, Vijayabahu I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII. The same is true for Aggabodhi, Bhuvanaikabahu, Kassapa, Mahinda, Parakramabahu and others.
Notes edit
This list should be used with the following factors kept in mind. Firstly, the dates provided for the earliest monarchs are difficult to objectively verify; those particularly difficult to know have been denoted with a (?) mark. The date August 20, 1200 is the earliest known fixed date in Sri Lankan history, which was for the coronation of Sahassa Malla.
Another thing to be noted is that several monarchs had usurped the throne of Lanka including Sinhalese monarchs such as Anikanga, Chodaganga, Sri Vallabha of Polonnaruwa and Mahinda VI.[26] The usurpers may have received support from rival kingdoms such as the Cholas.
Note on chronology edit
It should be borne in mind that there is controversy about the base date of the Buddhist Era, with dates between the 6th century BCE and 4th century BCE being advanced as the date of the parinibbana of the Buddha.[27] As Wilhelm Geiger pointed out, the Dipawamsa and Mahawansa are the primary sources for ancient South Asian chronology; they date the consecration (abhisheka) of Ashoka (268 BCE according to modern scholarship) to 218 years after the parinibbana. Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne 56 years prior to this, or 162 years after the parinibbana. The approximate date of Chandragupta's ascension is within two years of 321 BCE (from Megasthenes). Hence the approximate date according to the Mahavamsa of the parinibbana is between 485 and 481 BCE.[28]
According to Geiger, the difference between the two reckonings seems to have occurred at sometime between the reigns of Udaya III (946–954 or 1007–1015) and Pârakkama Pandya (c. 1046–1048), when there was considerable unrest in the country.[28] However, mention is made of an embassy sent to China by Cha-cha Mo-ho-nan in 428. The name may correspond to 'Raja (King) Mahanama', who (by the traditional chronology) reigned about this time.[29]
Furthermore, the traveller-monk Xuanzang, who attempted to visit Sri Lanka about 642, was told by Sri Lankan monks (possibly at Kanchipuram) that there was trouble in the kingdom, so he desisted;[30] this accords with the period of struggle for the throne between Aggabodhi III Sirisanghabo, Jettha Tissa III and Dathopa Tissa I Hatthadpath in 632–643.
Recent indological research has indicated that the Parinibbana of the Buddha may be even later than previously supposed. A majority of the scholars at a symposium held in 1988 in Göttingen regarding the problem were inclined towards a date of 440–360 BCE.[31] However, the Theravada Buddhist canon was first put into writing in Sri Lanka, and the chronology of the following list is based on the traditional Therevada/Sri Lankan system, which is based on a parinibbana date of 543 BCE, sixty years earlier than the Mahayana calendar. Dates after c. 1048 are synchronous.
The Mahavamsa was complied nearly a millennium after the purported date of Vijaya's arrival, and the traditional chronology and relationships of the earliest kings have been called into question by some scholars.[32][33][34] Referring to the period following Devanampiya Tissa's rule, archaeologist W. D. J. Benilie Priyanka Emmanuel states:
"The traditional chronology for this period is manifestly incredible; for, according to it, the reigns of five brothers are spread over a period of 102 years, and that after their father is said to have himself ruled for sixty years. The round figure of ten years assigned to four of the rulers also makes the chronology open to suspicion. The historicity of one of these successors of Devanampiya Tissa, however, is proved by epigraphical records, and we have to conclude either that these rulers were contemporary, exercising authority in different regions of the Island, or that the relationship they bore to each other, as given in the chronicles, is wrong."[35]
Kingdom of Tambapanni (543–437 BCE) edit
House of Vijaya (543–437 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Marriages | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Vijaya | ? Sinhapura son of Sinhabahu, and Sinhasivali | 505 BCE Tambapanni | 543 BCE | 505 BCE | Kuveni two children Pandu Princess | Founded Kingdom Marriage to Kuveni |
| Upatissa (regent) | - | - | 505 BCE | 504 BCE | Prince Vijaya's Chief Minister | ||
| Panduvasdeva | - | - | 504 BCE | 474 BCE | Nephew of Vijaya | ||
| Abhaya | - | - | 474 BCE | 454 BCE | Son of Panduvasdeva | ||
| Tissa (regent) | - | - | 454 BCE | 437 BCE | Younger brother of Abhaya |
Anuradhapura Kingdom (437 BCE–1017 CE) edit
House of Vijaya (437–237 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pandukabhaya | 474 BCE | 367 BCE | 437 BCE | 367 BCE | *Grandson of Panduvasudeva *Nephew of Abhaya and Tissa | |
| Mutasiva | - | - | 367 BCE | 307 BCE | *Son of Pandukabhaya | |
 | Devanampiya Tissa | - | 267 BCE | 307 BCE | 267 BCE | *Son of Mutasiva |
| Uttiya | - | - | 267 BCE | 257 BCE | *Son of Mutasiva | |
| Mahasiva | - | - | 257 BCE | 247 BCE | *Son of Mutasiva | |
| Suratissa | - | 237 BCE | 247 BCE | 237 BCE | *Son of Pandukabhaya |
Sena and Guttika (237–215 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sena and Guttika | - | - | 237 BCE | 215 BCE | Defeated Suratissa in battle. |
House of Vijaya (215–205 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asela | ? Son of Mutasiva | 205 BCE Anuradhapura | 215 BCE | 205 BCE | Son of Mutasiva |
Elara (205–161 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Elara | 235 BCE Chola Empire | 161 BCE Anuradhapura | 205 BCE | 161 BCE | Defeated Asela in battle |
House of Vijaya (161–103 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dutugamunu the Great (a.k.a. Dutta Gamini or Dutugemunu or Duttagamini Abaya) | - | - | 161 BCE | 137 BCE | *Defeated Elara *Eldest son of Kavan Tissa *Originally the ruler of Ruhuna |
 | Saddha Tissa | - | - | 137 BCE | 119 BCE | *Brother of Dutugemunu |
| | Thulatthana (Tulna) | - | - | 119 BCE | 119 BCE | *Second son of Saddha Tissa |
| | Lanja Tissa | - | - | 119 BCE | 109 BCE | *Older brother of Thullattana *Oldest son of Saddha Tissa |
| | Khallata Naga (Kalunna) | - | - | 109 BCE | 103 BCE | *Brother of Lanja Tissa *Third son of Saddha Tissa |
| | Vattagamani Abhaya (a.k.a. Valagambahu I) (Walagamba) | - | - | 103 BCE | 103 BCE | *Fourth son of Saddha Tissa |
The Five Dravidans (103–89 BCE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulahatta | - | - | 103 BCE | 100 BCE | *Tamil Chief | |
| Bahiya | - | - | 100 BCE | 98 BCE | *Chief Minister of Pulahatha | |
| Panya Mara | - | - | 98 BCE | 91 BCE | *Prime Minister of Bahiya | |
| Pilaya Mara | - | - | 91 BCE | 90 BCE | *Chief Minister of Panayamara | |
| Dathika | - | - | 90 BCE | 89 BCE | *Chief Minister of Pilayamara |
House of Vijaya (89 BCE – 67 CE) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Vattagamani Abhaya (a.k.a. Valagambahu I) (Walagamba) | - | - | 89 BCE | 77 BCE | *Fourth son of Saddha Tissa |
| | Mahakuli Mahatissa (Maha Cula Maha Tissa) | - | - | 77 BCE | 63 BCE | *Son of Khallatanaga *Nephew and adopted son of Valagambahu I |
| | Chora Naga (Mahanaga) | - | - | 63 BCE | 51 BCE | *Son of Valagambahu I *Cousin of Mahakuli Mahatissa |
| | Kuda Tissa | - | - | 51 BCE | 48 BCE | *Son of Mahakuli Mahatissa |
| | Siva I | - | - | 48 BCE | 48 BCE | |
| | Vatuka | - | - | 48 BCE | 48 BCE | |
| | Darubhatika Tissa | - | - | 48 BCE | 48 BCE | |
| | Niliya | - | - | 48 BCE | 48 BCE | |
| | Anula | - | - | 48 BCE | 44 BCE | *Widow of Chora Naga and Kuda Tissa |
| | Kutakanna Tissa | - | - | 44 BCE | 22 BCE | *Brother of Kuda Tissa *Second son of Mahakuli Mahatissa |
 | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya | - | - | 22 BCE | 7 CE | *Son of Kuttakanna Tissa |
| | Mahadathika Mahanaga | - | - | 7 | 19 | *Brother of Bhatika Abhaya |
| | Amandagamani Abhaya | - | - | 19 | 29 | *Son of Mahadathika Mahanaga |
| | Kanirajanu Tissa | - | - | 29 | 32 | *Brother of Amandagamani Abhaya |
| | Chulabhaya | - | - | 32 | 33 | *Son of Amandagamani Abhaya |
| | Sivali | - | - | 33 | 33 | *Sister of Chulabhaya |
| | Interregnum | - | - | 33 | 33 | |
| | Ilanaga (Elunna) | - | - | 33 | 43 | *Nephew of Queen Sivali |
| | Chandamukha | - | - | 43 | 52 | *Son of Ilanaga |
| | Yassalalaka | - | - | 52 | 60 | *Younger brother of Candhamuka Siva |
| | Subharaja (a.k.a. Subha) | - | - | 60 | 67 | *The hall porter of King Yasalaka Tissa |
House of Lambakanna I (67–429) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Vasabha | - | - | 67 | 111 | *A member of the Lambakanna clan |
| | Vankanasika Tissa | - | - | 111 | 114 | *Son of Vasabha |
| | Gajabahu I | - | - | 114 | 136 | *Son of Vankanasika Tissa |
| | Mahallaka Naga | - | - | 136 | 143 | *Father-in-Law of Gajabahu I |
| | Bhatika Tissa | - | - | 143 | 167 | *Son of Mahallaka Naga |
| | Kanittha Tissa | - | - | 167 | 186 | *Younger brother of Bhatika Tissa |
| | Cula Naga (a.k.a. Khujjanaga) | - | - | 186 | 187 | *Son of Kanitta Tissa |
| | Kuda Naga (a.k.a. Kunchanaga) | - | - | 187 | 189 | *Brother of Cula Naga |
| | Siri Naga I | - | - | 189 | 209 | *Brother-in-Law of Kuda Naga |
| | Voharika Tissa (a.k.a. Vira Tissa & Voharikathissa) | - | - | 209 | 231 | *Son of Siri Naga I |
| | Abhaya Naga | - | - | 231 | 240 | *Brother of Voharaka Tissa |
| | Siri Naga II | - | - | 240 | 242 | *Son of Voharaka Tissa |
| | Vijaya Kumara | - | - | 242 | 243 | *Son of Siri Naga II |
| | Sangha Tissa I | - | - | 243 | 247 | *A Lambakanna |
| | Siri Sangha Bodhi I (a.k.a. Siri Sangabo) | - | - | 247 | 249 | *A Lambakanna |
| | Gothabhaya | - | - | 249 | 262 | *Minister of State *A Lambakanna |
| | Jettha Tissa I (a.k.a. Detuthis I) | - | - | 263 | 273 | *Eldest son of Gothabhaya |
| | Mahasena | - | - | 274 | 301 | *Brother of Jettha Tissa *Younger son of Gothabhaya |
| | Sirimeghavanna | - | - | 301 | 328 | *Son of Mahasena |
| | Jettha Tissa II | - | - | 328 | 337 | *Brother of Sirimeghavanna |
| | Buddhadasa | - | - | 337 | 365 | *Son of Jettha Tissa II |
| | Upatissa I | - | - | 365 | 406 | *Eldest son of Buddhadasa |
| | Mahanama | - | - | 406 | 428 | *Brother of Upatissa I |
| | Soththisena | - | - | 428 | 428 | *Mahanama's son born to a Tamil mother |
| | Chattagahaka Jantu (a.k.a. Chhattagahaka) | - | - | 428 | 428 | *Husband of Sangha *Daughter of Mahanama by his Sinhala Queen |
| | Mittasena | - | - | 428 | 429 | *A noted plunderer |
The Six Dravidians (429–455) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pandu | - | - | 429 | 434 | *Pandyan Invader | |
| Parindu | - | - | 434 | 437 | *Son of Pandu | |
| Khudda Parinda | - | - | 437 | 452 | *Younger brother of Pandu | |
| Tiritara | - | - | 452 | 452 | *Fourth Tamil ruler | |
| Dathiya | - | - | 452 | 455 | *Fifth Tamil ruler | |
| Pithiya | - | - | 455 | 455 | *Sixth Tamil ruler |
House of Moriya (455–691) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Dhatusena | - | - | 455 | 473 | *Son of Sangha, the daughter of Mahanama *Liberated Anuradhapura from 27 years of Pandyan Rule |
| | Kashyapa I (the Usurper),(of Sigiriya) | - | - | 479 | 497 | *Son of King Dhatusena by a Pallava woman |
| | Moggallana I | - | - | 497 | 515 | *Son of Dhatusena *Brother of Kasyapa |
| | Kumara Dhatusena | - | - | 515 | 524 | *Son of Mogallana |
| | Kittisena | - | - | 524 | 524 | *Son of Kumara Dhatusena |
| | Siva II | - | - | 524 | 525 | *Uncle of Kirti Sena |
| | Upatissa II | - | - | 525 | 526 | *Son-in-Law of Kumara Dhatusena |
| | Silakala Ambosamanera | - | - | 526 | 539 | *A Son-in-Law of Upatissa, prince of Lambakanna stock |
| | Dathappabhuti | - | - | 539 | 540 | *Second son of Silakala |
| | Moggallana II | - | - | 540 | 560 | *Eldest brother of Dathappabhuti |
| | Kittisiri Meghavanna | - | - | 560 | 561 | *Son of Mogallana II |
| | Maha Naga | - | - | 561 | 564 | *Minister of War under King Dathapatissa |
| | Aggabodhi I | - | - | 564 | 598 | *Mother's brother's son and Sub-King of Mahanaga |
| | Aggabodhi II | - | - | 598 | 608 | *Nephew and son-in-law of Aggabodhi I |
| | Sangha Tissa II | - | - | 608 | 608 | *Brother and Sword-bearer of Aggabodhi II |
| | Moggallana III | - | - | 608 | 614 | *Commander-in-Chief during the reign of Aggabodhi II |
| | Silameghavanna | - | - | 614 | 623 | *King Mogallana's Sword-bearer |
| | Aggabodhi III | - | - | 623 | 623 | *Son of Silimeghavanna |
| | Jettha Tissa III | - | - | 623 | 624 | *Son of King Sangha Tissa |
| | Aggabodhi III (restored) | - | - | 624 | 640 | *Son of Silimeghavanna |
| | Dathopa Tissa I (Hatthadpatha) | - | - | 640 | 652 | *General of Jettha Tissa (Dathasiva) |
| | Kassapa II | - | - | 652 | 661 | *Brother of Aggabodhi III *Sub-King of Dathopa Tissa |
| | Dappula I | - | - | 661 | 664 | *Son in law of Silimeghavanna |
| | Dathopa Tissa II | - | 673 | 664 | 673 | *Nephew of Dathopa Tissa I (Hattha Datha) |
| | Aggabodhi IV | - | - | 673 | 689 | *Younger brother of Dathopa Tissa |
| | Unhanagara Hatthadatha | - | - | 691 | 691 | *A chief of Royal blood who was placed on the throne by a wealthy Tamil Officer |
House of Lambakanna II (691–1017) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Manavamma | - | - | 691 | 726 | *Son of Kassapa I *Descendant of Silamegahavanna |
| | Aggabodhi V | - | - | 726 | 732 | *Son of Manavamma |
| | Kassapa III | - | - | 732 | 738 | *Brother of Aggabodhi V |
| | Mahinda I | - | - | 738 | 741 | *Younger brother of Kassapa III |
| | Aggabodhi VI | - | - | 741 | 781 | *Son of Kassapa III |
| | Aggabodhi VII (From Polonnaruwa) | - | - | 781 | 787 | *Son of Mahinda |
| | Mahinda II (Silamegha) | - | - | 787 | 807 | *Son of Aggabodhi VI |
| | Dappula II | - | - | 807 | 812 | *Son of Mahinda II *The sub-king of Mahinda II |
| | Mahinda III | - | - | 812 | 816 | *Son of Dappula II |
| | Aggabodhi VIII | - | - | 816 | 827 | *Brother of Mahinda III |
| | Dappula III | - | - | 827 | 843 | *Younger brother of Aggabodhi VIII |
| | Aggabodhi IX | - | - | 843 | 846 | *Son of Dappula III |
| | Sena I | - | - | 846 | 866 | *Younger brother of Aggabodhi IX |
| | Sena II | - | - | 866 | 901 | *Nephew of Sena I *Son of Kassapa |
| | Udaya I | - | - | 901 | 912 | *Brother of sub-king of Sena II |
| | Kassapa IV | - | - | 912 | 929 | *Son of Sena II *Sub-king of Udaya I |
| | Kassapa V | - | - | 929 | 939 | *Son of Kassapa IV |
| | Dappula IV | - | - | 939 | 940 | *Son of Kassapa V |
| | Dappula V | - | - | 940 | 952 | *Brother of Dappula IV |
| | Udaya II | - | - | 952 | 955 | *Nephew of Sena II *Sub-king of Dappula V |
| | Sena III | - | - | 955 | 964 | *Brother of Udaya II |
| | Udaya III | - | - | 964 | 972 | *Sub-king of Sena III (a great friend of the king) |
| | Sena IV | - | - | 972 | 975 | *Son of Kassapa V *Sub-king of Udaya III |
| | Mahinda IV | - | - | 975 | 991 | *Brother of Sena IV *Nephew of Udaya III *Sub-king of Sena |
| | Sena V | - | - | 991 | 1001 | *Son of Mahinda IV |
| | Mahinda V (Fled and ruled in Ruhuna) (Deported c. 1017) | - | 1029 | 1001 | 1029 | *Younger brother of Sena V |
Chola-occupied Anuradhapura (1017–1055) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kassapa VI | - | - | 1029 | 1040 | Son of Mahinda V | |
| Mahalana-Kitti | - | - | 1040 | 1042 | ||
| Vikrama Pandu | - | - | 1042 | 1043 | ||
| Jagatipala | - | - | 1043 | 1046 | ||
| Parakrama Pandu | - | - | 1046 | 1048 | ||
| Loka | - | - | 1048 | 1054 | ||
| Kassapa VII | - | - | 1054 | 1055 |
Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (1055–1236) edit
House of Vijayabahu (1055–1187) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijayabahu I | - | - | 1055 | 1111 | *Member of the Sinhala Royal Family | |
| Jayabahu I (Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna) | - | - | 1110 | 1111 | *Brother of Vijayabahu I *Prime Minister of Vijayabahu I | |
| Vikramabahu I | - | 1132 | 1111 | 1132 | *Son of Vijayabahu I | |
| Gajabahu II | - | - | 1131 | 1153 | *Son of Vikramabahu I | |
 | Parakramabahu I 'the Great' | 1123 | 1186 | 1153 | 1186 | *Grandson of Vijayabahu I |
| Vijayabahu II | - | - | 1186 | 1187 | *Parakramabahu I's nephew | |
| Mahinda VI | - | - | 1187 | 1187 | *A Kalinga |
House of Kalinga (1187–1197) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nissanka Malla | 1157 or 1158 | 1196 | 1187 | 1196 | *Son-in-law or nephew to Parakrama Bahu I |
| Vira Bahu I | - | - | 1196 | 1196 | *Son of Nissanka Malla | |
| Vikramabahu II | - | - | 1196 | 1196 | *Younger brother of Nissanka Malla | |
| Chodaganga | - | - | 1196 | 1197 | *Nephew of Nissanka Malla |
House of Vijayabahu, restored (1197–1200) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Queen Lilavati | - | - | 1197 | 1200 | *Widow of Parakramabahu I |
House of Kalinga, restored (1200–1209) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sahassa Malla | - | - | 1200 | 1202 | *Younger brother of Nissanka Malla |
| Kalyanavati | - | - | 1202 | 1208 | *Queen of Nissanka Malla | |
| Dharmasoka | - | - | 1208 | 1209 | *Deposed Kalyanavati and installed by Ayasmantha | |
| Anikanga | - | - | 1209 | 1209 | *Father of Dharmasoka |
House of Vijayabahu, restored (1209–1210) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Lilavati (1st Restoration) | - | - | 1209 | 1210 | *Widow of Parakramabahu I |
Lokissara (1210–1211) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lokissara | - | - | 1210 | 1211 | Leader of a Tamil army. |
House of Vijayabahu, restored (1211–1212) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Lilavati (2nd Restoration) | - | - | 1211 | 1212 | *Widow of Parakramabahu I |
Pandyan dynasty (1212–1215) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parakrama Pandya | - | - | 1212 | 1215 | *Pandyan King |
Eastern Ganga dynasty (1215–1236) edit
After Kalinga Magha invaded, with the intent of ruling the whole island, the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was sacked. This caused massive Sinhalese migration to the south and west of the island. Unable to capture the whole island Kalinga Magha establishes the Jaffna kingdom becoming its first monarch. The Jaffna kingdom is situated in modern northern Sri Lanka while the Kingdom of Dambadeniya was established by Vijayabahu III on the rest of the island in around 1220.[36]
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalinga Magha | - | - | 1215 | 1236 | *A prince of Kalinga |
Kingdom of Dambadeniya (1220–1345) edit
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1220–1345) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijayabahu III | - | - | 1220 | 1234 | *A patriotic Prince of Sinhala Royal blood | |
 | Parakkamabahu II | - | - | 1234 | 1269 | *Eldest son of Vijaya Bahu III |
 | Vijayabahu IV | - | October 1270 | 1267/8 | October 1270 | *Eldest son of Panditha Parakrama Bahu II |
 | Bhuvanaikabahu I (from Yapahuwa) | - | - | 1271 | 1283 | *Brother of Vijaya Bahu IV |
| Interregnum | - | - | 1283 | 1302 | ||
| Parakkamabahu III (from Polonnaruwa) | - | - | 1302 | 1310 | *Nephew of Buvaneka Bahu I *Son of Vijaya Bahu IV | |
| Bhuvanaikabahu II (from Kurunagala) | - | - | 1310 | 1325/6 | *Son of Buvaneka Bahu I *Cousin of Parakrama Bahu III | |
| Parakkamabahu IV (from Kurunagala) | - | - | 1325/6 | 1325/6 | *Son of Buvanekka Bahu II | |
| Bhuvanaikabahu III (from Kurunagala) | - | - | 1325/6 | 1325/6 | *Known as Vanni Buvaneka Bahu | |
| Vijayabahu V (from Kurunagala) | - | - | 1325/6 | 1344/5 | *Second son of Chandra Banu of Jaffnapatnam |
Kingdom of Gampola (1345–1412) edit
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1345–1412) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhuvanaikabahu IV | - | - | 1344/5 | 1353/4 | *Son of Vijaya Bahu V | |
| Parakkamabahu V (from Dedigama) | 1311 | - | 1344/5 | 1359 | *Son of Vijaya Bahu V *Brother of Buvaneka Bahu IV | |
| Vikramabahu III | - | - | 1357 | 1374 | *Son of Buvaneka Bahu IV | |
| Bhuvanaikabahu V | - | - | 1371 | 1408 | *Nissanka Alakeswara's son by the sister of Vikrama Bahu III | |
| Vira Bahu II | - | - | 1391/2 | 1397 | *Brother in law of King Buvaneka Bahu V | |
| Vira Alakesvara (a.k.a. Vijaya Bahu VI) | - | - | 1397 | 1409 | ||
| Parakrama Bahu Epa | - | - | 1409 | 1412 | *Grandson of Senalankahikara Senevirat minister of Bhuvanaikabâhu IV. |
Kingdom of Kotte (1412–1597) edit
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1412–1597) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Parakramabahu VI | - | - | 1412 | 1467 | *Son of Vijaya Bahu VI and his Queen Sunetra Devi *Or the third son of Chandra Banu of Yapa Patuna (Jaffnapatnam) |
 | Jayabahu II (Vira Parakrama Bahu VII) | - | - | 1467 | 1472 | *Son of Parakrama Bahu II's natural daughter, Ulakudaya Devi |
| | Bhuvanaikabahu VI | - | - | 1469 | 1477 | *Son of Parakrama Bahu VI |
| | Pandita Parakramabahu VII | - | - | 1477 | 1477 | |
| | Vira Parakramabahu VIII | - | - | 1477 | 1489 | *Ambulagala Kumara *Son of Parakrama Bahu VI |
| | Dharma Parakramabahu IX (from Kelaniya) | - | - | 1489 | 1513 | *Son of Vira Parakrama Bahu VIII |
| | Vijayabahu VI | - | 1521 | 1513 | 1521 | *Brother of Dharma Parakrama Bahu IX *Rajah of Menik Kadavara |
| | Bhuvanekabahu VII | - | 1551 | 1521 | 1551 | *Eldest son of Vijaya Bahu |
| | Dharmapala | - | 27 May 1597 | 1551 | 27 May 1597 | *Grandson and heir of Bhuvanekabãhu VII |
Kingdom of Sitawaka (1521–1594) edit
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1521–1594) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | Mayadunne | 1501 | 1581 | 1521 | 1581 | *Brother of Bhuvaneka Bahu VII *Son of Vijaya Bahu VII |
 | Rajasinha I (a.k.a. Tikiri Banda) | 1544 | 1593 | 1581 | 1593 | *Son of Mayadunne |
| | Rajasuriya | - | - | 1593 | 1594 |
Kingdom of Kandy (1469–1815) edit
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1469–1592) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Senasammata Vikramabahu | - | - | 1469 | 1511 | *Belongs to Kotte Royal Blood line *Leader of the Kandyan secession from Kotte |
| | Jayavira Bandara | - | - | 1511 | 1552 | *Son of Senasammata |
| | Karalliyadde Bandara | - | - | 1552 | 1582 | *Son of Jayaweera |
 | Kusumasana Devi | - | - | 1581 | 1581 | *Daughter of Karalliyadde |
| | Rajasinha I (a.k.a. Tikiri Banda) | 1544 | 1593 | 1581 | 1591 | *Deposed Kusumasana Devi |
House of Dinajara (1591–1739) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vimaladharmasuriya I (a.k.a. Don João da Austria) | - | 1604 | 1591 | 1604 | *Son of Vijayasundara Bandara |
.svg){kind=small} | Senarat | - | 1635 | 1604 | 1635 | *Cousin of Vimala Dharma Suriya I |
.jpg) | Rajasinghe II | 1608 | 6 December 1687 | 1635 | 25 November 1687 | *Son of Senarat and Dona Catherina |
| | Vimaladharmasurya II | - | 4 June 1707 | 1687 | 4 June 1707 | *Son of King Rajasinghe II |
| | Vira Narendra Sinha (a.k.a. Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha) | 1690 | 13 May 1739 | 4 June 1707 | 13 May 1739 | *Son of Vimala Dharma Suriya II |
Nayaks of Kandy (1739–1815) edit
| Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | King From | King Until | Marriages | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Sri Vijaya Rajasinha | ? Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynasty son of Pitti Nayakkar | 11 August 1747 Kandy | 13 May 1739 | 11 August 1747 | 1 Madurai Spouse | Brother-in-law of Vira Narendra Sinha |
| | Kirti Sri Rajasinha | 1734 Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynasty son of Narenappa Nayakkar | 2 January 1782 Kandy | 11 August 1747 | 2 January 1782 | 6 Madurai Spouses Yakada Doli 2 sons, 6 daughters | Brother-in-law of Sri Vijaya Rajasinha |
 | Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha | ? Madurai son of Narenappa Nayakkar | 26 July 1798 Kandy | 2 January 1782 | 26 July 1798 | Queen Upendramma | Brother of Kirti Sri Rajasinha |
 | Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (a.k.a. Rajasinha IV; Kannasamy) | 1780 Madurai son of Sri Venkata Perumal and Subbamma Nayaka | 30 January 1832 Vellore Fort, Company rule in India | 26 July 1798 | 5 March 1815 | 4 spouses 3 children | Nephew of Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha |
Timeline edit
Notes edit
References edit
Further reading edit
Primary sources edit
- Dhammakitti (1212). Culavamsa: Being the More Recent part of the Mahavamsa. Translated by Geiger, Wilhelm; Rickmers, C. Habel (1929 ed.). Colombo: Ceylon Govt. Information Dept.
- Mahavamsa : the great chronicle of Ceylon. Translated by Geiger, Wilhelm; Bode, Mabel Haynes. London: Oxford University Press. 1912.
- Gunasekara, B., ed. (1900). The Rajavaliya : or, A historical narrative of Sinhalese kings from Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Surya II. Colombo: Government Printer, Ceylon. ISBN 81-206-1029-6.
- Knox, Robert (1681). An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon. London: Richard Chiswell.
- Oldenberg, Hermann, ed. (1879). The Dîpavaṃsa, an Ancient Buddhist Historical Record. Williams and Norgate.
Secondary sources edit
- De Silva, K. M. (1981). A History of Sri Lanka. India: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-04320-0.
- Blaze, L. E (1995). History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-1074-3.
- de Silva, K. M. (2005). A History of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Vijitha Yapa. p. 782. ISBN 955-8095-92-3.
- Mendis, Ranjan Chinthaka (1999). The Story of Anuradhapura. Lakshmi Mendis. ISBN 978-955-96704-0-7.
- Mittal, J. P. (2006). "Other dynasties". History of Ancient India: From 4250 BC to 637 AD. Vol. 2 of History of Ancient India: A New Version. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 81-269-0616-2.
- Nicholas, C. W.; Paranavitana, S. (1961). A Concise History of Ceylon. Colombo University Press.
- Perera, Lakshman S. (2001). The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions. Vol. 1. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. ISBN 978-955-580-055-6.
- Rambukwelle, P. B. (1993). Commentary on Sinhala Kingship — Vijaya to Kalinga Magha. Sridevi Printers. ISBN 978-955-95565-0-3.
- Siriweera, W. I. (2004). History of Sri Lanka. Dayawansa Jayakodi & Company. ISBN 978-955-551-257-2.
- Wijesooriya, S. (2006). A Concise Sinhala Mahavamsa. Participatory Development Forum. ISBN 978-955-9140-31-3.
- Paranavithana, Senarath (July 1936). "Two Royal Titles of the Early Sinhalese, and the Origin of Kingship in Ancient Ceylon". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 68 (3): 443–462. doi:10.1017/S0035869X0007725X. S2CID 161585769.