Kingdom of Tambapanni

The Kingdom of Tambapaṇṇī (Sinhala: තම්බපණ්ණිය රාජධානිය, translit: Tambapaṇṇī Rājadhāniya) was the first Sinhalese kingdom in Sri Lanka. Its administrative centre was based at Tambapaṇṇī. It existed between 543 BC and 437 BC. The Kingdom was founded by Prince Vijaya and his followers.

Kingdom of Tambapaṇṇī

තම්බපණ්ණිය රාජධානිය
543 BC–437 BC
CapitalTambapaṇṇī[1][2]
Upatissagāma[3]
Vijithapura[4]
Common languagesElu
Demonym(s)Sinhalese
GovernmentMonarchy
King 
• 543–505 BC
Vijaya
• 505–504 BC
Upatissa
• 504–474 BC
Panduvasdeva
• 474–454 BC
Abhaya
• 454–437 BC
Tissa
Historical eraPre Anuradhapura period
543 BC
• Consecration of Vijaya
543 BC
• Nineteen Years' War
458–439 BC
• Kingdom moved to Anuradhapura
437 BC
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Naga people (Lanka)
Yakkhas
Anuradhapura Kingdom
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Name

Tambapaṇṇī is a name derived from Tāmraparṇī or Tāmravarṇī (in Sanskrit).[5] This means the colour of copper or bronze because when Vijaya and his followers landed in Sri Lanka, when their hands and feet touched the ground they became red with the dust of the red-earth. Therefore, the city founded on that spot was named Tambapaṇṇī.[6] A derivative of this name is Taprobane (Greek).

Background

According to the Mahāvamsa, a chronicle written in Pāḷi, the inhabitants of Sri Lanka prior to the Indo-Aryan migration were Yakkhas and Nagas.[7][8] Ancient grave sites that were used before 600 BC and other signs of civilisation have also been discovered in Sri Lanka, but little is known about the history of the island before this time.[9][10] Sinhalese history and the historical period of Sri Lanka traditionally starts in 543 BC with the arrival of Prince Vijaya, a semi-legendary prince who sailed with 700 followers to Sri Lanka.[11]

Legend has it that when Prince Vijaya landed on the shores of the island he kissed the sand, called it ‘Thambapanni’ and planted a flag depicting a lion in the ground. (The famous ‘Sanchi’ ruins of India depict the events of Prince Vijaya’a landing).[12] After landing in Tambapaṇṇī, Vijaya met Kuveni the queen of the Yakkhas, who was disguised as a beautiful woman but was really a yakkhini named Sesapathi.[13]

History

The Kingdom of Tambapaṇṇī was founded by Prince Vijaya, the first Sinhalese King, and 700 of his followers after landing in Sri Lanka in an area near modern-day Mannar, which is believed to be the district of Chilaw.[14] It is recorded that Vijaya made his landing on the day of Buddha's death.[15] Vijaya claimed Tambapaṇṇī as his capital and soon the whole island became known by this name. Tambapaṇṇī was originally inhabited and governed by Yakkhas, and their queen Kuveni, with their capital at Sirīsavatthu.[1]

Upatissagāma was the second capital of the kingdom. It was seven or eight miles further north of the previous capital Tambapaṇṇī.[4][16][17] The city was established by Upatissa, a follower and senior minister of Vijaya.

During the end of his reign Vijaya, who was having trouble choosing a successor, so sent a letter to the city of his ancestors at Sinhapura, in order to invite his brother Sumitta to take over the throne.[18] However Vijaya had died before the letter had reached its destination so the monarchy was succeeded by his chief minister Upatissa who acted as king for a year.[3]

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See also

References

Citations
  1. palikanon.com 2019.
  2. Tambapaṇṇī 2017.
  3. Malalasekera 2017.
  4. Codrington 1926, p. 9.
  5. Perera 2011.
  6. Chapter III. Connection With Ceylon, Generally One Of Hostility 2009.
  7. Senaveratna 1930, p. 2.
  8. Senaveratna 1930, p. 4.
  9. Blaze 1933, p. 6.
  10. Ariyadasa 2015.
  11. The Mahavamsa 2019.
  12. Naizer 2009.
  13. Manathunga 2007.
  14. Mittal 2006, p. 405.
  15. King Vijaya (B.C. 543-504) and his successors 2009.
  16. Blaze 1933, p. 7.
  17. Senaveratna 1930, p. 10.
  18. Blaze 1933, p. 12.

Bibliography
  • Blaze, L. E. (1933). History of Ceylon (PDF) (Eighth ed.). Colombo: Christian literature society for India and Africa.
  • Codrington, H. W. (1926). A Short History Of Ceylon. London: Macmillan & Co.
  • Senaveratna, John M. (1930). The Story of the Sinhalese from the Most Ancient Times Up to the End of "the Mahavansa" Or Great Dynasty: Vijaya to Maha Sena, B.C. 543 to A.D.302. Colombo: W. M. A. Wahid & Bros. ISBN 9788120612716.
  • Mittal, J.P. (2006). "Other dynasties". History of Ancient India: From 4250 BC to 637 AD. Volume 2 of History of Ancient India: A New Version. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 81-269-0616-2. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  • "Tambapanni". www.palikanon.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  • Manathunga, Anura (4 February 2007). "The first battle for freedom". Ths Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  • Naizer, Nizla (4 February 2009). "Evolution of the National Flag". The Bottom Line. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  • Malalasekera, G. P. (5 February 2017). "Upatissagāma". www.softerviews.org. Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  • Perera, D. G. A. "Lankan place name in historical perspective". The island. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  • "Chapter III. Connection With Ceylon, Generally One Of Hostility". chestofbooks.com. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  • "King Vijaya (B.C. 543-504) and his successors". lankalibrary.com. Retrieved 6 November 2009.

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