Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Mahale Kitti [1040-1042 CE] (මහලේ කිත්ති රජතුමා)

Predecessor		Successor
Vikkamabahu / Kassapa VI [1029-1040 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Mahale Kitti [1040-1042 CE]	Vickrama Pandita [1042-1043 CE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Mahalanakitti (Mahalē or Mahalana Kitti) was a ruler who was formally consecrated as king but exercised authority only over the southern principality of Ruhuna. He reigned for approximately three years, dated from 1040 to 1042 CE, during the height of the Cola occupation of the northern Rajarata province.

Beginnings and Royal Heritage

The origins and royal lineage of Mahalanakitti remain unclear in the historical record. Prior to his accession, he held the senior administrative position of Chief in charge of Treasury, referred to as Mahalē in Sinhalese sources and Mahālānakitti in the Cūḷavaṃsa. He rose to power, killing the senāpati Kitti, a military leader who had seized authority for only eight days following the death of Vikkamabāhu I.

Consecration and Rule

Despite the irregular circumstances of his rise, Mahālānakitti underwent formal consecration as king. In practice, however, his authority was confined to the province of Rohana (Ruhuna), which continued to function as the heartland of Sinhalese resistance while the Colas ruled Rājarata from Polonnaruva.

The political atmosphere of his reign was marked by persistent instability and conflict. Ruhuna suffered from internal divisions after the death of Vikkamabāhu I, and the Colas repeatedly launched punitive expeditions to suppress resistance from Rohana Country.

Cola Invasion on Rohana

Mahalanakitti’s reign was defined almost entirely by defensive warfare against the Colas. In the third year of his reign, he was overwhelmed in battle by Cola forces. Confronted with inevitable defeat, Mahalanakitti followed the example of warrior-kings of the past and took his own life on the battlefield, reportedly cutting his throat with his own sword.

Following his death, the Colas seized a large quantity of booty, including the royal diadem and the principal treasures of the Sinhalese monarchy. These regalia were dispatched to the Cola ruler in India, symbolizing a claim of sovereignty over the entire 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.
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.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.

Predecessor		Successor
Vikkamabahu / Kassapa VI [1029-1040 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Mahale Kitti [1040-1042 CE]	Vickrama Pandita [1042-1043 CE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Also See

Full list of Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

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