The origins of the medieval Kingdom of Polonnaruwa date back to a settlement by the name of Vijitha Grama that was believed to have been established here by an individual called Vijitha
This Vijitha Pura or Vijitha Nagara is considered to have been a fortress- city and was located in what is today"s Kaduruwela. It is said that the famous Battle of Vijithapura, between King Dutugamunu and the Tamil King Elara, also took place here.
Religious Zeal
The Chola invaders practiced Brahmanism, whilst the Sinhalese Kings were devoted Buddhists. the Hindu shrines and Buddhist stupa ruins on the show today testify to the determination of each side to promote and uplift their respective faiths.
Following the death of King Vijayabahu, King Parakrsmsbshu I gained control of the island in 1161 and in doing so heralded the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa that covered most of the 12th Century.
Chola Invasion
With the fading away of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura, Chola Armies from Southern Indika kidnapped and took prisoner King Mahinda V, the last ruler of Anuradhapura, circa 993. the King was later taken to ndia. The Cholas referred to Sri Lanaka as the incomparable land or nigaril valanadu.
By 1017, Rajendra Chola (1014-1044) had established his Kingdom at Polonnaruwa and circa 1029 the death of King Mahinda V in India was recorded.
According to historians, upon hearing this news, communities from the southern Kingdom of Ruhuna began to agitate as part of a revolution. The Ruhunu Kingdom led by Prince Keerthi then first attempted to capture Polonnaruwa in 1066, but was forced to flee soon after to wakirigala.
Golden Age of Polonnaruwa
Having restored much of Anuradapura, destroyed by Chola Armies including restoration of Mihintale, the Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya and Ruwanweliseya stups, King Parakramabahu set out on developing Polonnaruwa which had very little in terms of infrastructure remaining. It is because of continuous invasions from South India that so little of Pre -12th Century Polonnaruwa ( Kandavurubendipura ) remains to be seen today.
Golden Age of Polonnaruwa
Having restored much of Anuradapura, destroyed by Chola Armies including restoration of Mihintale, the Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya and Ruwanweliseya stups, King Parakramabahu set out on developing Polonnaruwa which had very little in terms of infrastructure remaining. It is because of continuous invasions from South India that so little of Pre -12th Century Polonnaruwa ( Kandavurubendipura ) remains to be seen today.
Social Plugin