King Aggabodhi VI [733-772 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahinda I [730-733 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VI [733-772 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Aggabodhi VI, referred to as Sulu Akbo in the Pujavaliya and Akbo in the Rajavaliya, was the son of King Kassapa III. He became king in 733 CE following the death of his uncle, King Mahinda I.

At the time, Mahinda I’s son—also named Aggabodhi—was present in the capital and held the powerful post of Governor of Dakkhinadesa (Southern Province). However, instead of claiming the throne, he summoned his cousin (the son of Kassapa III), who was serving as Uparaja (Deputy King) and governing the Eastern Province (Pacinadesa), to take the throne in line with dynastic custom.

A Reign of Stability and Loyalty

Upon ascending the throne, Aggabodhi VI took the regnal name Silamegha. As a gesture of gratitude and alliance, he appointed his cousin—the son of Mahinda I—as the new Uparaja. The king had a son, also named Mahinda, who was appointed as the Senapati (Chief Commander of the Army).

His reign lasted an impressive 40 years, making it one of the longest of the Anuradhapura era. The early years of his rule were peaceful and marked by administrative continuity.

Rivalry and Rebellion

Over time, rumors began to circulate that the real power behind the throne lay with the Uparaja. Jealous elements at court sowed discord between the two cousins. Suspecting his cousin’s ambitions, the king’s relationship with the Uparaja soured.

In response, the Uparaja fled to Dakkhinadesa, raised an army, and rebelled. The two factions met in battle at Kadalinivata, where the king’s forces were victorious. The defeated Uparaja escaped to Malayarata (Central Highlands).

Reconciliation and Royal Marriage

Later, King Aggabodhi VI reflected on his cousin’s past loyalty—how he had willingly stepped aside and summoned him to take the throne. The king sought reconciliation and traveled to Malayarata. There, the two cousins made peace, and both returned to Anuradhapura.

To reaffirm this renewed alliance, Aggabodhi VI gave his daughter Samgha in marriage to the Uparaja.

Family Drama and the Rohana Campaign

However, the peace was short-lived. Samgha and her husband quarreled, and she left the palace to become a Buddhist nun. Seeing an opportunity, another Aggabodhi—her maternal cousin and a long time admirer—abducted her from the nunnery and fled to Rohana, a historically semi-independent region.

In response, both the king and the Uparaja jointly launched a military expedition to Rohana. The rebel was defeated, Samgha was rescued, and the campaign brought Rohana under direct royal control, further consolidating the kingdom.

Death and Succession

King Aggabodhi VI passed away in 772 CE, completing four decades on the throne. He was succeeded by his cousin—the Uparaja and son of Mahinda I—who ascended the throne as King Aggabodhi VII.

Works of King Aggabodhi VI

Built Vaparani Monastery
Built Managgabodhi Monastery
Built Sabhattudeabhoga in Abhayauttara Viharaya (Abhayagiri Monastery)
Built a Prasada in Hatthikucchi Viharaya
Built a Prasada in Punapitthi Viharaya
Built a Prasada in Mahaparivena. Mahaparivena is believed to be Jethavanaramaya Monastery.

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

Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part I–II. Pali Text Society.
Gunasekara, B. (1900). The Rajavaliya, a Historical Narrative of Sinhalese Kings Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Suriya II. George J. A. Skeen.
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.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahinda I [730-733 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VI [733-772 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA