King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Udaya I [797-801 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Mahinda II, also known as Salamevan Mihindu in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, was the son of King Aggabodhi VI (r. 733–772 CE). He ascended the throne in 777 CE following the death of his uncle, King Aggabodhi VII, and ruled for 20 years. Unlike his predecessors, Mahinda II’s reign was marked by continuous rebellion and political challenges.

Rise to Power

Prior to becoming king, Prince Mahinda served as Senapati (Commander-in-Chief) under his father. However, after his father’s death and his uncle’s accession, he relinquished his military role and took up a civil post at Mahathiththa (present-day Mannar). When King Aggabodhi VII died, Mahinda, who was then residing in Mahathiththa, promptly traveled to Anuradhapura. However, he did not immediately seek coronation, partly because he lacked a mahesi (queen), a customary requirement for kingship.

Suppressing the Northern Rebellion and the Queen’s Plot

Following the king’s death, the Uttaradesa (Northern Province) rebelled, refusing to pay taxes. Mahinda led a military campaign to quell the uprising. He then traveled to Polonnaruwa, where King Aggabodhi VII had died, and entered into an agreement to marry the former queen to maintain her royal status.

However, the queen conspired against Mahinda. When the plot came to light, a battle broke out between her loyalists and Mahinda’s forces. Mahinda emerged victorious, captured the queen, and brought her back to Anuradhapura in chains, where he was then formally consecrated as King Mahinda II.

Conflict with Dappula and Internal Threats

Soon after, Mahinda faced another threat from Adipada Dappula, his sister’s son, who rallied a large army from Kala Wewa and advanced toward Sangagama. Mahinda confronted him in battle, defeated him, and Dappula fled to Malayarata (Hill Country).

While Mahinda was away, the chieftain of the Northern Province (Uttaradesa) seized the opportunity to occupy Anuradhapura. Mahinda swiftly returned, drove them out, and focused on stabilizing the capital rather than pursuing the rebels.

Dappula later regrouped with support from two Adipadas in Rohana, who were also his nephews. Together, they launched a massive offensive on Anuradhapura. Mahinda’s forces repelled the invasion, capturing the two princes—who were eventually released—while Dappula once again fled to Rohana.

Consolidation of the Kingdom

With the situation under control, Mahinda turned to consolidating power. He reasserted control over Pacinadesa (Eastern Province) and launched another successful campaign in Uttaradesa.

Subsequently, he took the widow of Aggabodhi VII as his queen. She bore him a son, whom Mahinda appointed Uparaja, assigning him the revenues and responsibilities of the office.

Rohana Campaign

As Mahinda II’s authority grew, the two Adipadas from Pacinadesa, alarmed by the appointment of the new Uparaja, joined forces once again with Dappula. They launched another major offensive but were defeated at Kovilaragama. The two Adipada brothers were killed, and Dappula fled to Rohana once more.

Determined to end the conflict, Mahinda chose diplomacy over force. He convened senior bhikkhus and officials at Thuparamaya, outlined his strategy, and then led a large, well-prepared army into Rohana. Seeing the destruction caused en route, the people of Rohana surrendered without resistance.

Mahinda confronted Dappula but spared him, imposing a treaty instead. Dappula had to surrender his elephants, horses, and treasures, and the Galhaganga (Gal Oya River, according to Paranavitana) was established as the new southern boundary of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. This treaty brought the historically semi-autonomous region of Digamadulla (north of Gal Oya) under direct royal control for the next two centuries.

Succession and Legacy

Mahinda II’s later reign was peaceful, but his succession plan faced setbacks. His appointed Uparaja (son by his royal queen) had died. His other son, Udaya, born during his time as Senapati, had proven himself in battle but was not born to a consecrated queen. Despite this, Mahinda conferred upon him the title of Uparaja, leaving it to Udaya to earn the people’s acceptance.

Historian Paranavitana (1959) argues that Mahinda II may not have been a legitimate heir in the traditional sense. This could explain why Aggabodhi VII bypassed him and chose his own son as Uparaja, as well as the contentious start to Mahinda’s reign.

Mahinda II died in 797 CE and was succeeded by his son, King Udaya.

Construction Works of King Mahinda II

Built Dama Vihara Pirivena in Polonnaruwa
Built Sanniratittha Viharaya n Polonnaruwa
Built Mahalekha Pirivena in Abhayagiriya
Built Ratanaprasada in Abhayagiriya
Offered a Boddhisattva statue made of silver to the Silamegha nunnery
Built a bathing tank at Hemasali Viharaya
Strengthened the embankment of Kala Wewa Reservoir

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. (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
King Aggabodhi VII [772-777 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Udaya I [797-801 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA