The Kingdom of Anuradhapura

After King Devanampiya Thissa, several kings rule this kingdom. Time to time this kingdom faced to South Indian invasions. That was to befall it repeatedly for more than 1000 years. King Elara, who came from South India, ruled the kingdom of region “Pihiti” during 205 – 161BC. The Son of the King Kawanthissa, Dutugemunu led an army from a refuge in the far south to recapture Anuradhapura kingdom. King Dutugemunu (161–137 BC) united the all regions (Ruhnu, Maya, Pihiti) as country under one flag & set in motion a vast building program that included some of the most impressive monuments in Anuradhapura today. 

Other kings who followed him included Valagamba, who lost his throne in another Indian invasion but later regained it, and Mahasena (AD 276–303), the last ‘great’ king of Anuradhapura, who was the builder of the colossal Jetavanarama Dagoba. During this time vast monastery complexes and some of the tallest buildings in the ancient world were built for example Jetavanaramaya, Maha Vihara and Abhayagiri. The Jetavanaramaya dagoba is treated as the tallest brick structure in the world. As Anuradhapura city was in dry zone rulers constructed large lakes to irrigate paddy lands and also to supply water to the city and also it had the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world.

Anuradhapura kingdom lasted one thousand and four hundred years until it was invaded by South Indian Chola forces in 1017AD. It was a very wealthy city which created a unique culture and a great civilization. Today Anuradhapura is one of the world’s major archaeological sites. The architectural remains can still be seen and gives a glimpse of what had been the country at that time.