Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Dappula IV [923-924 CE] (හතරවන දප්පුල රජතුමා)

Predecessor		Successor
Kassapa V [914-923 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Dappula IV [923-924 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Dappula V [924-935 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Dappula IV, identified in some chronological traditions as Dappula III, was a ruler of the Second Lambakanṇa Dynasty who reigned for a very brief period in 923 CE. His rule lasted only seven months, and he died in 924 CE. He was succeeded by King Dappula V, who is considered to have been his younger brother.

The ancient chronicles do not clearly document the genealogical relationships of the rulers from Dappula IV to Sena IV, leaving their precise connection to the main royal lineage uncertain. To resolve this ambiguity, Professor Paranavitana relied on epigraphic evidence, using inscriptions to reconstruct the succession. According to his conclusions, both Dappula IV and Dappula V were brothers of King Kassapa V.

Following the death of King Kassapa V in 923 CE, Dappula III was consecrated as king at the capital, Anuradhapura. His accession followed the traditional Sinhalese system of succession, in which kingship passed among brothers of the preceding monarch.

However, his reign was sadly short. The Cūḷavaṃsa attributes his early death to the consequences of “former deeds,” interpreted as karmic influences from past lives, which prevented him from enjoying a longer rule. He died in the seventh month of his reign and was succeeded by his uparaja, Dappula IV.

Royal Dynasty from Kassapa V to King Dappula III to Vickramabahu I

Works of King Dappula IV

Granted a village to Mirisawetiya Viharaya

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. (1895). A Contribution to the History of Ceylon: Translated from Pujavaliya. H.C. Cottle.
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.
Upham, E. (1833). The Mahavansi, the Raja-Ratnacari, and the Raja-vali, Forming the Sacred and Historical Books of Ceylon; Also, a Collection of Tracts Illustrative of the Doctrines and Literature of Buddhism: Transl. from the Singhalese (1st ed., Vols. 2–3). Parbury, Allen, and Co.

Predecessor		Successor
Kassapa V [914-923 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Dappula IV [923-924 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Dappula V [924-935 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Also See

Full list of Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

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Works of King Dappula IV

Ancient Manuscripts Detailing the Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

References

Also See

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