King Kassapa VII [1054-1055 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
Loka [1048-1054 CE]	Kassapa VII [1054-1055 CE]	Vijayabahu I [1055-1110 CE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Kassapa VII, also known as the Chief of the Kesadhātus, was a short-lived ruler of the southern principality of Ruhuna who held power for approximately six months in the mid-eleventh century, conventionally dated to c. 1054–1055 CE. His brief reign occurred during the height of the Chola occupation of northern Sri Lanka.

Beginnings and Royal Heritage

The historical sources preserve no information regarding Kassapa VII’s parentage or early life. Unlike the hereditary monarchs of the ancient Sinhalese dynastic line, the Cūḷavaṃsa identifies him as the “Chief of the Kesadhātus,” a title generally interpreted as referring to a senior commander entrusted with the guardianship of the sacred Hair Relic. He rose to power at Kataragama following the death of the military leader Loka, assuming authority in Ruhuna at a moment of extreme political instability.

Victory Over Chola Attack on Rohana Kingdom

Kassapa’s six-month rule unfolded amid a three-sided struggle for control. Shortly after his accession, the Chola viceroy at Polonnaruwa dispatched a military detachment against him. Kassapa confronted this force at Rakkhapasana, probably identifiable with modern Rakvana, and succeeded in defeating the Chola troops sent to dislodge him from Kataragama. After this victory, he strengthened his frontier defenses before returning to his capital.

Attack by Buddharāja and Prince Kitti

At the same time, a powerful chieftain named Buddharāja (Lord Budal), who had established an independent armed camp at the foot of the Malaya mountains during Loka’s time, continued to protect the young Prince Kitti, the legitimate heir of the Sinhalese royal house and the future Vijayabāhu I.

Realizing that Kassapa’s forces had been weakened by the recent engagement with the Cholas, Buddharāja and Prince Kitti launched an offensive against him. Kassapa advanced westward to confront them at Sippatthalaka but, realizing that his own subjects were reluctant to fight the rightful prince, withdrew to a fortified position known as Khadiraṅgaṇī. Kitti’s forces subsequently entered Kataragama and attacked Khadiraṅgaṇī, where Kassapa VII was ultimately slain in battle.

Rise of Prince Kitti

His death brought to a close the era of non-dynastic military rulers in Ruhuna. With Kassapa’s defeat, the final barrier to Prince Kitti’s authority was removed, enabling him to secure complete and undisputed control over the southern province. This consolidation of power in Ruhuna provided the essential base from which Vijayabāhu I later waged the prolonged fifteen-year campaign that ended seventy-seven years of Chola domination and reunified the island.

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. (Original work published 1815)
Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part II–II. Pali Text Society. (Original work published 1815)
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.
Obeyesekere, D. (1911). History of Ceylon : Outlines of Ceylon History. The Times of Ceylon Colombo.