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Dutugemunu, also known as Dutthagamani and Gamini Abhaya, reigned 161 BC to 137 BC, was a Sinhalese king of the ancient kingdom of Rajarata in modern day northern Sri Lanka. He is renowned for defeating and overthrowing the usurping Tamil king of Anuradhapura, Elara, expanding and beautifying the city, and projecting the power of Rajarata across the island of Sri Lanka. As one of the most potent symbols of Sinhalese historical power it should be remembered that his life is swathed in myth and legend, and given the dearth of primary sources it is difficult to speculate on the accuracy of the traditions concerning him. Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC - 160s BC - 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC Years: 166 BC 165 BC 164 BC 163 BC 162 BC - 161 BC 160 BC 159 BC...
Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC - 130s BC - 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC Years: 142 BC 141 BC 140 BC 139 BC 138 BC - 137 BC - 136 BC 135 BC...
The Sinhalese are the main ethnic group of Sri Lanka. ...
The Tamil people are an ethnic group from South Asia with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ...
Anuradhapura, (අනුරà·à¶°à¶´à·”ර in Sinhala), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. ...
Elara is a moon of Jupiter. ...
This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...
Etymology of the Name
Dutugemunu's given name appears to have been Gamini or Gamani, a traditional Buddhist name still popular in Sri Lanka today. The Mahavamsa describes how as a youth he mocked his father Kavantissa, king of Rohana, for refusing to wage war against the powerful Elara, Tamil king of Anuradhapura. The prince stated that 'If [his] father were a man he would not speak thus' and sent him a piece of women's jewellery. The resulting fury of the king caused many of his friends to flee to Malaya and the prince himself being dubbed 'Dutthagamani', which translates as 'wicked prince' or 'aggressive prince'. After his death, he was referred to as 'Dharma Gamini' ('good' or 'just' prince), but it was as 'Dhuttha Gamini' or 'Dutugemunu' that he was known to posterity. The Mahavamsa, also Mahawamsa, (PÄli: great chronicle) is a historical record, written in the PÄli language, of the Buddhist kings of Sri Lanka. ...
Ancestry and Family The Mahavamsa constitutes the major source on Dutugemunu's reign and dedicates some six chapters (out of 35) to his tale. In chapter 22 he is described as being descended from the ancient royal family of Rajarata through Devanampiyatissa's brother Mahanaga. At the time of his birth Dutugemunu's father was Kavantissa, king of Rohana, a small kingdom in south-east Sri Lanka outside of the influence of Rajarata in the north; the border between the two polities was the Mahaganga, or 'Great River', possibly the modern Menik Ganga. Kavantissa is portrayed in the Mahamvamsa as 'devoutly believing in the three gems, [and] he provided the brotherhood continually with...needful things'[1]. Buddhism is a religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha ÅšÄkyamuni (SiddhÄrtha Gautama). ...
It has been suggested that bhikkhu be merged into this article or section. ...
Dutugemunu's mother was Viharamahadevi, daughter of Tissa, king of Kalyani. Legend has it that as punishment for Tissa slaying a Buddhist monk, Kalyani had been subject to a series of deluges from the sea. To placate it Tissa placed his daughter Devi in a golden boat with the words 'A King's Daughter' written on the side, and set her out to sea. Miraculously the princess washed ashore, alive and well, in Rohana, and married Kavantissa. A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, SiddhÄrtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...
During her pregnancy with Dutugemunu, Viharamahadevi had a series of peculiar cravings, including the urge to sleep on a pillow made of honeycombs. In particular her urge to drink the water used to wash a sword that had cleaved the head of a warrior of Elara, whilst standing on that same head, raised the interest of the soothsayers at court, who predicted that 'The queen's son, when he has vanquished the Damilas and built up a united kingdom, will make the doctrine to shine forth brightly'[2]. Viharamahadevi gave birth to a son named Gamani Abhaya some time later, and after that to another child, a boy named Tissa.
Around the time of Gamani's birth, 'an elephant of the six-tusked race brought his young one thither and left him here and went his way'[3]. Named Kandula, he went on to become Gamani's mount and accompanied him through much of the prince's adventures.
Civil War and Early Reign By the age of 16 Gamani was 'vigorous, renowned, intelligent and a hero in majesty and might' [4], if a little wayward. Determined to dethrone the king of Rajarata Gamani levied an army from around Rohana and declared his intention to invade the north to his father. The king forbade this, stating that 'the land on this side of the river is enough'[5]; the resulting exchange between father and son saw Gamani being dubbed 'Duttha Gamani', his friends fleeing to Malaya, and he himself being incarcerated in a royal prison.
Upon Kavantissa's death Dutugemunu found himself having to defend his crown against his younger brother Tissa, who had seized possession of not only the elephant Kandula, but the dowager queen Viharamahadevi as well[6]. The war between the two began with a defeat for Dutugemunu at Culanganiyapitthi, where 'many thousands of the king's (Dutugemunu's) men' perished. Dutugemunu was forced to flee back to Mahagama where he levied another army and engaged Tissa in yet another battle in the vicinity of the city. On this occasion he was victorious and Tissa was smuggled off the battlefield disguised as the corpse of a monk[7] [8]. Some time afterwards, however, Dutugemunu and Tissa were reconciled through the efforts of Viharamahadevi and the monks, and Tissa became one of the king's foremost generals.
Invasion of Rajarata Having secured his position Dutugemunu then planned his invasion of the north, which included not only Rajarata but numerous smaller semi-independent polities. The king's army consisted of 'chariots, troops and beasts for riders', soldiers and a number of war elephants, as well as a number of monks and a relic placed in his spear for luck and blessings [9]. In addition he was accompanied by the famed Ten Giant Warriors who had been recruited from all over the island by his father Kavantissa - Nandhimitra, Suranimala, Mahasona, Theraputtabhya, Gothabhaya, Bharana, Vasabha, Velusamanna, and Phussadeva. For the torpedo-shaped underwater vehicle ridden by two frogmen, sometimes referred to as a chariot, see Human torpedo. ...
Indian war elephant, relief at Mathura, 2nd century BC War elephants were important, although not widespread, weapons in ancient military history. ...
A relic is an object, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of someone of religious significance, carefully preserved with an air of veneration as a tangible memorial, Relics are an important aspect of Buddhism, some denominations of Christianity, Hinduism, shamanism, and many other personal belief systems. ...
The campaign saw Dutugemunu subduing a number of Tamil rulers in the north (as many as 32, according to the Mahavamsa). Of particular interest is the four-month siege of Vijitanagara, where the defending Tamil troops are said to have used 'ret-hot iron and molten pitch'[10] to panic Dutugemunu's elephants. During this time he also married Ran Etana, the daughter of a cheiftain who continued to pay homage to Elara of Anuradhapura [11]. On at least two occasions victory is attributed to the king's 'cunning' and the bravery of Kandhula. The campaign reached a climax at the eastern gate of Anuradhapura, where Dutugemunu, riding Kandhula, finally confronted the aged king Elara, on his own elephant Mahäpabbata, and slew him with a dart; the encounter is one of the most famous in Sri Lankan history.
Dutugemunu's victory at Anuradhapura put him in the unprecedented position of ruling nearly the entire island of (Sri) Lanka. Despite this however his position was far from problem-free. The king he had dethroned, Elara, despite being a Tamil from the Chola empire of south India, was renowned as having been a just and righteous leader, and Dutugemunu went out of his way to ensure the memory of the old king was revered. Furthermore 'looking back upon his glorious victory, great though it was, [he] knew no joy, remembering that thereby was wrought the destruction of millions.'[12]. This is attested to by the sheer number of religious foundations attributed to him by the chronicles (between 68 and 99), which include magnificent stupas, monasteries, and shrines.
Reign and Construction Work Aside from his many construction projects Dutugemunu's reign is memorable for his estrangement from his son, Saliya or Salirajakumara. The Prince fell in love with a girl called Agokamaladevi or Asokamala; unfortunately for all concerned she was of the Scavenger caste, one of the lowest castes in Sinhalese society. Saliya refused to give her up and rejected the throne. Though the Mahavamsa mentions no reconciliation[13], folk stories have the young couple eventually restored to the king's good graces[14].
The king's reign also saw extensive contact between Sri Lanka and traders from the west, including Arabs, Persians, and possibly Romans[15]
Following his consolidation of his position Dutugemunu began a series of huge construction projects, many of which still survive in Anuradhapura today. As with nearly everything in Dutugemunu's life, each foundation comes with its own legend, many of which reveal the preoccupations and inclinations of ancient Sinhalese society. Anuradhapura, (අනුරà·à¶°à¶´à·”ර in Sinhala), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. ...
The first foundation mentioned in the Mahavamsa is the Maricavatti vihara, the modern Mirisavetiya. Legend has it that travelling to the shore of the Tank of Tissa with the 'women of the harem' for a water-festival, Dutugemunu planted his spear (which contained a sacred relic) in the soft ground. When preparing to return to the palace, he found that neither he, nor anyone in his retinue, could pull it out. Taking this as a sign he ordered the construction of a stupa over the spear[16].
Dutugemunu also ordered the construction of the Lohapasada, or Brazen Palace, a nine-story chapter house for monks, which derived its name from its bright copper-tiled roof. Again, legend has it that the design for the palace was based on a building seen in one of the heavens by a group of monks, who drew the design with 'red arsenic on linen' and dispatched it to the king[17].
Perhaps his most famous creation was the Ruwanweliseya, also known as the Great Stupa or and Swarnamalee Chetiya, to house the begging bowl of the Buddha. The construction was started on the full moon day of the month of Vesak (traditionally the date of the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha) with the creation of a foundation of crushed rock. To hammer the stones into place elephants were used with their feet bound in leather [18]. Dutugemunu is said to have overseen the work personally, being present at the construction of the relic chamber and the interring of the bowl itself. The dedication of a stupa is described in Chap. 29 of the Mahavamsa, which lists the visit of delegations from various parts of India, as well as a delegation of 30,000 monks from Alexandria of the Caucasus, led by the Indo-Greek monk Mahadharmaraksita. A stone image of the Buddha. ...
Alexandria of the Caucasus (Askandria-e-Qafqaz or Askandria Paro paizad) was a city founded by Alexander the Great (one of many given the name Alexandria), at an important junction of communications in the southern foothills of the Hindu Kush, about 45 miles North of Kabul, in the country of...
Maximum extent of Indo-Greek territory circa 175 BCE. The Indo-Greeks (or sometimes Greco-Indians) designate a series of Greek kings, who invaded and controlled parts of northwest and northern India from 180 BCE to around 10 BCE. They are the continuation of the Greco-Bactrian dynasty of Greek...
Mahadhammarakkhita (Sanskrit: Mahadharmaraksita) was a Greek (in Pali:Yona, lit. ...
Death and Succession Dutugemunu did not live to see his beloved Ruwanweliseya completed, dying before the plaster work was finished. The Mahavamsa dedicates an entire chapter to his death [19], which contains a poignant scene where dying king is taken by palanquin to the vicinity of the incomplete stupa. There he also encounters his old colleague Theraputtbhya, now a monk. After some discussion of the mortality of men the aged monarch passes away and is immdiately reborn in the heavenly realm of Tusita.
A common folk tale surrounding the death of Dutugemunu is that as he was dying he was told that Ruwanweliseya was completed in order to keep him happy. The well-intentioned plan went awry, however, when Dutugemunu asked to be shown the finished building. His brother Tissa had the entire building draped in white cloth to present the illusion of whitewash, and due to his failing eyesight Dutugemunu did not spot the difference, dying convinced that the building was finished.
Following his death Dutugemunu was succeeded by his brother Suratissa, rather than his disinherited son Saliya.
Significance Dutugemunu may well have been the first king in Lanka to unite the entire island under his authority. The preoccupation of the Mahavamsa with his story has afforded him the title 'Hero of the Mahavamsa' and his legendary presence looms large in all Sinhala mythology.
Dutugemunu's reign is seen as one of the golden ages of the Buddhist Sinhala polity of Rajarata. As king of Anuradhapura he was responsible not only for the expulsion of a foreign usurper (albiet one generally regarded as a worthy king), but also for fostering the development of religious institutions and the construction of a large chunk of Sri Lanka's archeological heritage. Many of his foundations - such as the Ruwanweliseya and Mirisavetiya - are still regarded as sacred spots today.
The Sri Lankan Navy has two ships - the SLNS Elara and SLNS Ruhuna - named in connection with Dutugemunu's reign. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
Elara is a moon of Jupiter. ...
The earliest chronicles The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa say that, before the migration of the Indo-Aryans, tribes of naga, yaksha, deva & raksha inhabited the island. ...
Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ...
For other uses, see number 137. ...
See also The following is a list of rulers of Ceylon since 505 BC. // Rulers of Ceylon Vijaya Dynasty Vijaya 505 BC, Tambapanni Interregnum 505 BC Panduvasudeva 504 BC, Vijitapura Abhaya 474 BC Interregnum 454 BC Pandukabhaya 437 BC, Anurâdhapura Mutasiva 367 BC Devanampiya Tissa 307 BC - 247 BC Uttiya 267...
Anuradhapura, (අනුරà·à¶°à¶´à·”ර in Sinhala), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. ...
The Mahavamsa, also Mahawamsa, (PÄli: great chronicle) is a historical record, written in the PÄli language, of the Buddhist kings of Sri Lanka. ...
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