| Predecessor | Successor | |
|---|---|---|
| King Gajabahu I [112-134 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- | King Mahallaka Naga [134-140 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- | King Bhathika Tissa [140-164 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- |
| COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA | ||
About King Mahallaka Naga
King Mahallaka Naga succeeded King Gajabahu I upon the latter’s death. According to the Mahavamsa, he was related to Gajabahu as his father-in-law. However, the Rajavaliya, a later chronicle, describes Mahallaka Naga as the brother-in-law of King Gajabahu, suggesting the differing interpretation of certain words of ancient Sri Lankan texts during translations.
Based on the inscriptions discovered, Paranavitana (1969) believes that Gajabahu’s father had 2 brothers who ruled from the Kurunegala area and Rohana. An inscription at Habessa in Buttala, Monaragala District, mentions an Upa-Raja named Naga, identified as Vasabha‘s grandson and the son of King Uttara. Paranavitana (1969) believes that Gajabahu I married a daughter of King Uttara (brother of Vankanasika Tissa) and a sister of Upa-Raja Naga.
When King Gajabahu I passed away, his brother-in-law Naga, who was already advanced in age, ascended to the throne. Due to his age, he was given the epithet “Mahallaka,” meaning “elderly,” and thus would have become known as Mahallaka Naga.
Works of King Mahallaka Naga
- Sejalaka Viharaya: Built in the east
- Gotapabbata Viharaya: Built in the south
- Dakapasana Viharaya: Built in the west
- Salipabbata Viharaya: in Nagadipa
- Tanaveli Viharaya: in Bijagama
- Tobbalanaga pabbata Viharaya: in Rohana
- Girihalika Viharaya: in the inland of the country
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.
- Gnanawimala Thero, K. (1960). මයුරපාද පරිවේණාධිපති බුද්ධ පුත්රයන් විසින් රචිත පූජාවලිය.
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