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List of Sri Lankan monarchs

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For the modern monarchy that lasted from 1948 until 1972, see Monarchy of Ceylon (1948–1972).
King of the Sinhala Kingdom
Reconstructed royal Standard of the last King of Kandy
Prince Vijaya
Details
First monarchPrince Vijaya
Last monarchSri Vikrama Rajasinha
Formation543 BCE (according to chronicles)
Abolition1815 CE
ResidenceTambapanni, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy

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.

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

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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

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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)

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Main article: Kingdom of Tambapanni

House of Vijaya (543–437 BCE)

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Main article: House of Vijaya
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Marriages Claim
Vijaya 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)

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Main article: Anuradhapura Kingdom

House of Vijaya (437–237 BCE)

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Main article: House of Vijaya
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
Devanampiya Tissa - 267 BCE 307 BCE 267 BCE
Uttiya - - 267 BCE 257 BCE
Mahasiva - - 257 BCE 247 BCE
Suratissa - 237 BCE 247 BCE 237 BCE

Sena and Guttika (237–215 BCE)

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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)

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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)

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Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Claim
Elara Elara 235 BCE
Chola Empire 		161 BCE
Anuradhapura 		205 BCE 161 BCE Defeated Asela in battle

House of Vijaya (161–103 BCE)

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Main article: House of Vijaya
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)

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Main article: The Five Dravidians
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)

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Main article: House of Vijaya
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)

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Main article: House of Lambakanna I
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)

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Main article: The Six Dravidians
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)

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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)

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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)

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Main article: Chola conquest of Anuradhapura
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)

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Main article: Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

House of Vijayabahu (1055–1187)

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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)

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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)

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Main article: Pandyan dynasty
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Parakrama Pandya - - 1212 1215 *Pandyan King

Eastern Ganga dynasty (1215–1236)

[edit]
Main article: Eastern Ganga dynasty

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]
Main article: Kingdom of Dambadeniya

House of Siri Sanga Bo (1220–1345)

[edit]
Main article: House of Siri Sanga Bo
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]
Main article: Kingdom of Gampola

House of Siri Sanga Bo (1345–1412)

[edit]
Main article: House of Siri Sanga Bo
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]
Main article: Kingdom of Kotte

House of Siri Sanga Bo (1412–1597)

[edit]
Main article: House of Siri Sanga Bo
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)

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Main article: Kingdom of Sitawaka

House of Siri Sanga Bo (1521–1594)

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Main article: House of Siri Sanga Bo
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
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

*Reestablished Shaiva Siddhanta after its decline in Devanampiya Tissa's era and crushed Buddhism

Rajasuriya - - 1593 1594

Kingdom of Kandy (1469–1815)

[edit]
Main articles: List of Kandyan monarchs and Kingdom of Kandy

House of Siri Sanga Bo (1469–1592)

[edit]
Main article: House of Siri Sanga Bo
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)

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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
Senarat - 1635 1604 1635 *Cousin of Vimala Dharma Suriya I
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)

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Main article: Nayaks of Kandy
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

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Kingdom of KandyKingdom of SitawakaKingdom of KotteKingdom of GampolaKingdom of DambadeniyaKingdom of PolonnaruwaChola occupation of AnuradhapuraAnuradhapura KingdomKingdom of Upatissa NuwaraKingdom of TambapanniNayaks of KandyHouse of DinajaraHouse of Siri Sanga BoHouse of KalingaHouse of VijayabahuHouse of Lambakanna IIHouse of MoriyaHouse of Lambakanna IHouse of VijayaHouse of VijayaHouse of VijayaHouse of Vijaya

Notes

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  1. ^ The name Sri Lanka refers to the modern-day republic.
  2. ^ This is the most common date.
  3. ^ The Nayaks were not an ethnically Sinhalese royal house, nonetheless are considered a part of the Sinhalese monarchy.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mittal (2006) p 405
  2. ^ "483 BC – Arrival of Aryans to Sri Lanka". scenicsrilanka.com. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  3. ^ Paranavithana (1936) p 459
  4. ^ MENDIS, G. C. “The Mahābhārata Legends in the Mahāvaṃsa.” The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland 5, no. 1 (1957): 81–84. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45377709.
  5. ^ Cavendish, Marshall (2007). World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia. Cavendish Square Publishing. pp. 350–51. ISBN 978-0-7614-7631-3.
  6. ^ Bandaranayake, S. D. (1974). Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura. Leiden: BRILL. p. 17. ISBN 9004039929.
  7. ^ De Silva, K. M. (1981). A History of Sri Lanka. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-19-561655-2. A History of Sri Lanka.
  8. ^ Blaze, L. E. (1938). History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-8120618411.
  9. ^ Manogaran, Chelvadurai (1987). Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 25–26. ISBN 978-0-8248-1116-7.
  10. ^ Malalgoda, Kitsiri (1976). Buddhism in Sinhalese Society, 1750–1900: A Study of Religious Revival and Change. University of California Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-520-02873-2.
  11. ^ Dias, M.; Koralage, S.B.; Asanga, K. (2016). The archaeological heritage of Jaffna peninsula. Colombo: Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). pp. 183, 186. ISBN 978-955-9159-99-5.
  12. ^ Ray, H.C. (2016). University of Ceylon, History of Ceylon: Volume I (From the earliest time to 1505): Part II (From the Cola conquest in 1017 to the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505). Colombo: Ceylon University Press. p. 726.
  13. ^ Mendis (1999), p. 11
  14. ^ Blaze (1995), p. 58
  15. ^ Wijesooriya (2006), p. 89
  16. ^ Blaze (1995), p. 59
  17. ^ Perera (2001), p. 48
  18. ^ Gunawardana, R.A.L.H., ‘Prelude to the State: An Early Phase in the Evolution of Political Institutions in Ancient Sri Lanka’, in Gunawardana, R.A.L.H., S. Pathmanathan and M. Rohanadeera (eds.), Reflections on a Heritage: Historical Scholarship on Premodern Sri Lanka, Volume 1, part 1, Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1998, pp. 83- 122.
  19. ^ De Silva (1981), p. 21
  20. ^ Rambukwelle (1993), p. 38
  21. ^ Siriweera (2004), p. 92
  22. ^ Ratnatunga, Rhajiv. "LIST OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF LANKA". lakdiva.org. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  23. ^ de Silva, K. M. (2005). A History of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: Penguin Books India. ISBN 9789558095928. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  24. ^ Gunasekara, B. (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. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  25. ^ "The Mahavamsa: Original Version Chapters 1 – 37". Mahavamsa.org. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  26. ^ Codrington 1926, p. 67.
  27. ^ Witzel, Michael (2019). "Early 'Aryans' and their neighbors outside and inside India". Journal of Biosciences. 44 (3): 58. doi:10.1007/s12038-019-9881-7. ISSN 0973-7138. PMID 31389347. S2CID 195804491.
  28. ^ a b Geiger (Tr), Wilhelm (1912). The Mahawamsa or Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Oxford: Oxford University Press (for the Pali Text Society). p. 300. Archived from the original on 2008-10-30.
  29. ^ S G M Weerasinghe, A history of the cultural relations between Sri Lanka and China: an aspect of the Silk Route, Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, 1995, ISBN 955-613-055-1, p.40
  30. ^ Stephen Spencer Gosch, Peter N. Stearns, Premodern Travel in World History, Routledge, 2008; ISBN 0-415-22940-5, p.93
  31. ^ Cousins, L. S. "The Dating of the Historical Buddha: A Review Article". indology. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  32. ^ W. D. J. Benilie Priyanka Emmanuel, Civilization in its Own Words: Inscriptions and Archaeology in Ancient Sri Lanka, University of California, PhD, 2000 p.42
  33. ^ Ajith Amarasinghe, Finding Sinhabahu: An analysis of the early history of Sri Lanka documented in ancient chronicles, Vijitha Yapa Publications, 2019
  34. ^ KM Da Silva, A History of Sri Lanka, 1981, pp.3-4
  35. ^ W. D. J. Benilie Priyanka Emmanuel, Civilization in its Own Words: Inscriptions and Archaeology in Ancient Sri Lanka, University of California, PhD, 2000 p.42
  36. ^ Codrington, Humphry William (1926). "The Dambadeniya And Gampola Kings". A Short History of Lanka. London: Macmillan. Retrieved 27 February 2013.

Further reading

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Primary sources

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Secondary sources

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  • 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.
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