| Predecessor | Successor | |
|---|---|---|
| King Khujja Naga [192-194 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- | King Kuncha Naga [194-195 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- | King Siri Naga I [195-214 CE] -House of Lambbakanna- |
| COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA | ||
About King Kuncha Naga
King Kuncha Naga came to power by slaying his elder brother King Khujja Naga. However, he was not able to hold on to the throne for more than one year when his queen’s brother Sri Naga, Commander of the Army, overthrew him and ascended to the throne.
During the reign of King Kuncha Naga, the kingdom experienced a devastating famine referred to as “ekanalika” (a single neli measure) and the famine was so named because the people were reduced to such a small quantity of food during this calamity.
King Kuncha Naga is said to have organized a significant almsgiving ceremony for 500 bhikkus. This act likely served dual purposes: as a meritorious deed to gain spiritual merit and as an attempt to mend the strained relationship caused by his earlier actions, particularly the killing of his brother.
Just after one year of his reign, Sri Naga, the army commander, initiated a rebellion against the king. Leading a well-equipped military force, Sri Naga marched on the capital, ultimately compelling Kuncha Naga to flee. Following this victory, Sri Naga claimed the throne and assumed kingship.
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)
- 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.
- 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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