King Aggabodhi VII | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
King Aggabodhi VI [733-772 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Aggabodhi VII, referred to as Kuda Akbo in Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, was the son of King Mahinda I (730-733 CE). He became king in 772 CE following the death of his cousin, King Aggabodhi VI.

At the time of King Mahinda I’s death, his son—also named Aggabodhi—was in the capital, holding the influential post of Governor of Dakkhinadesa (Southern Province). Despite his advantageous position, he chose not to seize power. Instead, he upheld the prevailing dynastic succession tradition and invited his cousin—the son of King Kassapa III, who was then Uparaja (Deputy King) and governor of Pacinadesa (Eastern Province)—to ascend the throne.

This cousin became King Aggabodhi VI, and the two maintained a strong bond of friendship. However, their closeness stirred jealousy among court factions, who sowed mistrust between them. Eventually, the Uparaja Aggabodhi fled to Dakkhinadesa and raised an army, leading to an open conflict with King Aggabodhi VI. He was defeated in the ensuing battle and escaped to Malayarata (Central Highlands).

Later, the king reflected on his cousin’s prior loyalty—especially how he had willingly relinquished his claim to the throne—and sought reconciliation. He personally journeyed to Malayarata, where the cousins reconciled and returned together to Anuradhapura.

To strengthen this renewed alliance, King Aggabodhi VI gave his daughter, Samgha, in marriage to the Uparaja. But peace did not last long. A domestic dispute led Samgha to leave her husband and enter a Buddhist nunnery. Taking advantage of the situation, another Aggabodhi—her maternal cousin and long-time admirer—abducted her and fled to Rohana, a region often resistant to central rule.

In response, King Aggabodhi VI and the Uparaja jointly launched a military campaign to Rohana. They defeated the abductor, rescued Samgha, and brought Rohana under royal control, further consolidating the kingdom’s power.

Transition of Power to Aggabodhi VII

When King Aggabodhi VI died in 772 CE, after a 40-year reign, the throne passed to his cousin, the Uparaja and son of Mahinda I, who became King Aggabodhi VII.

Aggabodhi VII appointed his son, Mahinda, first as Adipada and later as Uparaja. At the time of Aggabodhi VI’s death, his son Mahinda (his own son, also having the same name as the cousin’s son) held the role of Senapathi (Commander of the Army). After Aggabodhi VII’s consecration, Senapathi Mahinda relinquished his military role and took up a government post at the port city of Mahathiththa (modern Mannar), where he settled.

When King Aggabodhi VII passed away in Polonnaruwa, his appointed heir, Uparaja Mahinda, had already died. Upon hearing news of the king’s death, the other Mahinda—son of Aggabodhi VI and former commander living in Mahathiththa—rushed to Anuradhapura to claim the throne.

Works of King Aggabodhi VII

Rebuilt the temple of Sri Maha Bodhi, which was ruined.
Built Kalanda Monastery
Built Mallavata 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 Aggabodhi VI [733-772 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA