King Udaya I [797-801 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Udaya I (Dappula II) [797-801 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda III [801-804 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Udaya I (also called Dappula II), referred to as Uda in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, was the son of King Mahinda II. He ascended the throne in 797 CE following his father’s death. The Culavamsa does not explicitly mention his name, leading to some confusion in earlier historical records, where some identified him as King Dappula II. However, modern research has clarified this error, and the recognized chronology now places Dappula III after Dappula I, with Udaya I correctly restored to his place in the succession.

A King in the Making

Udaya was born during the reign of King Aggabodhi VII (772–777 CE), when his father, Mahinda, held the position of Senapathi (Commander-in-Chief) in his father’s army. His mother not being of royal lineage or a queen meant that Udaya had no legitimate claim to the throne. After Mahinda II became king, Udaya lived as a commoner, kept away from courtly affairs, as a measure to protect him from rival royal factions who could consider him a potential rival to the throne.

Meanwhile, King Aggabodhi VII had a legitimate son by his queen, whom he appointed as Uparaja, clearly designating his chosen heir. However, during a siege on Anuradhapura by rivals of Aggabodhi VII, Udaya stepped forward and requested to lead the battle. He was granted the king’s personal war elephant and an army. Udaya led the charge and successfully repelled the attackers, proving himself a capable military leader. Impressed by his prowess, the king appointed him Senapathi (Commander-in-Chief) in his army.

Udaya continued to distinguish himself in further campaigns, including leading the invasion of Uttaradesa (Northern Province), the battle at Sangagama against Adipada Dappula, and the significant battle at Kovilaragama against three Adipadas. Following the death of the designated Uparaja, Udaya‘s father recognized his merit and appointed him as the new Uparaja.

Reign of King Udaya I

King Udaya I had several children with Queen Sena, naming their eldest son Yuvaraja and the others as Adipadas. His daughters were given the title Rajini, since his own royal claim was somewhat tenuous. This move was likely intended to solidify the throne from rival royal fractions.

However, trouble soon arose in Uttaradesa again. The king dispatched his Senapathi and the Senapathi’s son to suppress the unrest, but both defected. King Udaya had to intervene personally, leading a new army and decisively defeating the rebels, including the disloyal commanders, at a battle in Duratissa.

In another incident, a prince named Mahinda from Rohana, son of Adipada Dathasiva, sought Udaya’s aid against his father, with whom he had fallen out. Udaya supported him, enabling Mahinda to overthrow his father and take control of the Rohana kingdom. To solidify this alliance, Udaya gave his daughter Deva in marriage to the young prince.

Adipada Dathasiva fled to India and appears in an inscription at Rassahela (in present-day Batticaloa District), where he is referred to as Apay Dalsiva and is noted for a grant to the Arittara Viharaya. This inscription suggests he may have violated the treaty imposed by his father, Mahinda II, by extending his rule north of the Gal Oya River, the previously agreed-upon boundary between Rohana and Anuradhapura. It’s likely that in exchange for Udaya’s support, Prince Mahinda may have had to accept the reinstatement of Gal Oya as the southern boundary, bringing the disputed region Digamadulla back under Anuradhapura‘s control.

The remaining years of Udaya I’s brief five-year reign were largely peaceful. Together with his queen, he constructed and endowed monasteries, restored dilapidated structures, and actively supported the celebration of religious festivals.

King Udaya I died in 801 CE and was succeeded by his elder son, King Mahinda III.

Construction Works of King Udaya I

Built an Alms Hall in Maha Viharaya (no name is given)
Donation of a Buddha statue to Kholakkhiya Monastery
Built Mahalekha Pirivena in Abhayagiriya
Restored Yaddhamane temple
Donated Kalussa village to Nilarama monastery
Built a large hall for the sick in Polonnaruwa
Built a large hall for the sick in Padaviya
Restored the prasada at Puccharama Viharaya
Restored the Giribhanda Viharaya
Built a sangharamaya called Dappulapabbata in the Ambuyyana Viharaya
Built Nilagalla Monastery
Restored Arikari Monastery and built a alms hall and a prasada
Built Senaggabodhipabbata (-pasada) in Vahadipa
His queen built Kattaka Chethiya at Mihintale
His queen built Jayasenapabbata Viharaya and granted it to Tamil Buddhist priests.
His queen built Silamegha Viharaya (possibly rebuilt the decayed temple) and granted it to Bhikkuni

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
King Mahinda II [777-797 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Udaya I (Dappula II) [797-801 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Mahinda III [801-804 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA