Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription (කෝට්ටපිටිය පුවරු ලිපිය)

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Kotttapitiya Temple where the Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription is located

The Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription is considered one of the 14 valuable inscriptions of the Anuradhapura Era. The pillar inscription is believed to have been placed by King Mahinda IV (956-972) and is 6 feet in height and 1.5 feet wide. 45 lines of text have been inscribed on this pillar.

The slab inscription was discovered in the village of Kottapitiya between Giritale-Bakamuna road in 1949 by the Department of Archaeology. This pillar now stands at the Kottapitiya Viharaya in the same village.

According to Ranwella, this inscription is identical to the Vannadi Palama Slab Inscription except for the place name. Even the names of the officials who have set up this stone statute are the same. Considering the similarities of the text, it is believed that the Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription was written by the same person who wrote the Vannadi Palama Slab Inscription. Both these inscriptions belong to the family of the Wewalketiya Slab Inscription.

The focal point of this inscription pertains to the administration of criminal justice within the dasa-gama of Kibi-nilam district in Amgam-kaliya, situated in the Northern Quarter of Rajarata. Consequently, it stands as a significant epigraphical record, offering valuable insights into Ancient Sri Lankan law regarding ‘crimes and wrongs,’ as well as shedding light on the administrative practices that likely prevailed on the island during the 10th and 11th centuries A.D.

This inscription documents the criminal law and their punishments during the 10th century. An interesting note is that this inscription demonstrates the treatment of animals during the era. The death penalty has been inscribed for murder, highway robbery and killing of cattle and goats. According to the content, the local rulers appointed by the king have been granted the powers to implement the laws.

References

Ranawella, S. (2004) Inscriptions of Ceylon Vol V (part II). Colombo: Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, pp 193-196.

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Map of Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription

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Travel Directions to Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription

Route from Giritale to Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription

Distance : 27 km
Travel time :30 minutes
Driving directions : see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription

Travel Directions to Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription

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