| Predecessor | Successor | |
|---|---|---|
| King Ilanaga [35 CE] [38-44 CE] -House of Vijaya- | King Chandamukha Siva [44-52 CE] -House of Vijaya- | King Yasalalaka Tissa [52-59 CE] -House of Vijaya- |
| COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA | ||
About King Chandamukha Siva
Chandamukha Siva, the elder son of King Ilanga and Queen Sivali, was fated as an infant to be trampled by the royal elephant. However, fortune intervened; the elephant not only spared the child but also saved him and his father from the Lambakannas. Three years later, the king would return to triumph over his enemies and the Prince Chandamukha Siva would claim the throne after his father.
King Chandamukha Siva was the first boy king of Sri Lanka. He was just 10 years old when he ascended to the throne upon the death of his father. The government was practically administrated by his mother Queen Sivali during this period. He reigned for 7 years and 8 months only before he was assassinated by his younger brother Prince Yasalalaka Tissa.
Just before his assassination, King Chandamukha Siva married a Tamil princess named Damila Devi, who was as beautiful as she was devout. According to Paranavitana (1969), this marriage was likely the price King Ilanga had to pay for securing military support from South India to expel the Lambakanna clan.
Similar to her predecessors, Queen Damila Devi derived her income from multiple villages she owned or had been granted. One of these was Manikaragama, situated near Issarasamana Viharaya (Isurumuniya). Chandamukha Siva built a reservoir (wewa) near this village and dedicated it to the viharaya, while Damila Devi generously donated the water revenue from Manikaragama village to the same religious site. (Senaveratne, 1930)
Not long after this donation, King Candamukha Siva was assassinated by his younger brother, Prince Yasalalaka Tissa. This act took place while the king was participating in water sports at Tissa Wewa. Following the assassination, Yasalalaka Tissa seized the throne and became the new ruler.
Works of King Chandamukha Siva
- Built a reservoir (wewa) near Manikaragama village: and donated to Issarasamana 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
- Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
- Oldenberg, H. (2001). The Dipavamsa : An Ancient Buddhist Historical Record. Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1879)
- Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.
- Senaveratne, J. M. (1930). The Story of the Sinhalese : From the Most Ancient Times Up to the End of “The Mahavansa” or Great Dynasty. W. M. A. Wahid & Brothers.
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