King Aggabodhi I [575-608 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahanaga [573-575 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Aggabodhi I [575-608 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Aggabodhi II [608-618 CE] -House of Moriya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Aggabodhi I (also known as Agbo I) ascended to the throne in 575 CE following the death of King Mahanaga. He was the son of Mahanaga’s sister. Aggabodhi I’s reign was marked by peace and prosperity, with no records of internal or external conflicts. Under his rule, the kingdom thrived and experienced stability. Upon his death, the throne passed to his successor, King Aggabodhi II, who was his sister’s son.

King Aggabodhi I appointed his brother as Yuvaraja and entrusted him with the administration of Dakkhinadesa. He also designated his sister’s son, Prince Aggabodhi, as the ruler of Malayarata, solidifying their bond by marrying his daughter, Princess Datha, to him. Later the king conferred the position of Mahadipada on Aggabodhi.

Positions of authority were distributed based on merit, reflecting his fair and just governance. Through his benevolence and charismatic leadership, King Aggabodhi I gained the loyalty and respect of his people.

Under his reign, numerous poets thrived due to his generous patronage. He constructed many viharas and made substantial donations of villages, lands, reservoirs, and servants to support them. Additionally, he undertook renovations and new constructions for prominent viharas and shrines within the capital.

Works of King Aggabodhi I

Siriveddhamana tank: built by Aggabodhi I’s brother, who was the Yuvaraja in Dakkhinadesa
Giri Viharaya: built by Aggabodhi I’s brother
Sirisamghabodhi Pirivena
Mahasiva Pirivena : for Mahasiva thero
Dhakkina Viharya : he built a splendid pradasa
Kurundi Viharaya: This large monastic complex was discovered in the jungles of Mulativu district. Currently being debated by Tamil politicians that these ruins belong to a Hindu Kovil. However, the monastery is being cleared of the jungle and the ruins restored. See here
Kurunduvapi Reservoir: A large irrigation reservoir near the Kurundi Viharaya
Ambilapassava Vihara: Built and donated to the Theriya (Maha Vihara sect) school of Bhikkus along with the village of the same name.
Unnavalli Viharaya: Donated the famous Ratana village to Unnavalli Viharaya. Geiger believes this might be Ratnapura, which is famous for its gems.
Sumanapabbata Viharaya: in Kelivata
Lovamahapradada : Restoration work
Hatthikucchi Viharaya: a new prasada was built and named after his daughter (Princess Datha)
Mugasenapati Viharaya: Built the viharaya and donated the village Lajjika for the maintenance of slaves.
Mahanaga Viharaya : built for the merit of King Mahanaga
Bhinnorudipa Viharaya: built the viharaya and granted the revenue from Vattakarapitthi
Dakkhinagiridelha Viharaya: Erected a hall for the Upostha festival at Dakkhinagiridelha Viharaya in Mahanagapabbata
Kalavapi Viharaya: Erected a hall for the Upostha festival
Abhayagiri Viharaya: built a large bathing tank
Chethiyapabbatha Viharaya (Mihintale): supplied a permanent water supply to the Nagasondi Tank (believed to be what is known as Naga Pokuna today)
Mahindatata Reservoir: Geiger believes that this is the tank at the foot of the Missaka Mountain by which the present fields of the village Mihintale are irrigated.
Mahamekhala Amuna: Today known as Manimekhala Amuna or more commonly, Minipe Amuna, a wonder of ancient irrigation systems. He extended the magnificent Minipe Canal up to the Manihira (Minneriya) Wewa Reservoir.
Nilageha Cell: and donated the Jotipala there who had beaten the controversy of the adherents of the Vaithulya sect. The king made his nephew Aggabodhi the post of Mahadipada and placed him under Jotipala Thero’s protection.

Ancient Manuscripts Detailing the Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

Sovereigns of Sri Lanka are chronicled in several ancient manuscripts. These texts not only record the lineages of kings but also the significant events and developments of their reigns. Some of the most significant ancient sources are:

Dipavamsa: compiled between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, and the earliest known historical chronicle
Mahavamsa: Initially compiled by Mahanama Thero in the 5th or 6th century CE, this chronicle was later expanded upon by other authors who added additional chapters. Covers events up until the reign of King Mahasena of Anuradhapura
Culavamsa: Starts where the Mahavamsa stops and records the history of Sri Lankan rulers from the 4th century to 1815. Mahavamsa and Culavamsa are often seen as one extended chronicle, commonly referred to simply as the Mahavamsa.
Pujavaliya: Written by a monk in or around 1266 during the reign of King Panditha Parakrama Bahu of Dambadeniya Kingdom
Rajavaliya: A 17th-century historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, covering the history of the island from its beginnings up to the accession of King Vimaladharmasurya II in 1687.

References

Blaze, L. E. (2004). History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1933)
Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part I–II. Pali Text Society.
Nicholas, C. W., & Paranavitana, S. (1961). A Concise History of Ceylon : From the Earliest Times to the Arrival of the Portuguese in 1505. University of Ceylon.
Obeyesekere, D. (1911). Outlines of Ceylon History. The Times of Ceylon Colombo.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.
Suraweera, A. V. (2014). රාජාවලිය. Education Publication Department of Sri Lanka. (Original book published in 1976 from the original documents from the 17th century)

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahanaga [573-575 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Aggabodhi I [575-608 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Aggabodhi II [608-618 CE] -House of Moriya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA