Ruling Centers of Later Periods-

Dambadeniya Kingdom.

Grade 7
History.
Reasons for the downfall of Polonnaruwa kingdom.
I- Foreign invasions : Chola king Kalinga Magha in 1215 AD

II- Decline of economy:

* due to foreign invasions and the foreign policy of king Parakramabahu I.
* many wars he involved were serious burdens on treasury.
* maintenance of a strong army and navy was a great expenses.

III- Decline of irrigation system:

- not having enough money to maintain and construct tanks and canals.
- kings paid there full attention on wars.

Due to these reasons people started to migrate to the South western

regions.

IV- The weak rulers: non of them were able to establish political stability.
* Anuradhapura Kingdom – lasted around 1500 years.
* Polonnaruwa Kingdom – lasted around 150 years.
* Later administrative centers – around 200 years (except Kandyan Kingdom)

* The Mahawamsa speaks – about the provincial leaders who built fortresses in
various places,

- to protect the southern part of the country from invaders.

Ex : General Sanka – fortress on the Gandeniya rock in Minipe.

Genaral Subha – fortress on Yapahuwa hill.
Adipada Buwanekabahu – fortress on Govinda Malaya hill
in Ruhuna.
* Reasons for the establishment of several kingdoms:

1- Security reasons.
2- Economic reasons.

1- Due to - Internal disputes that arose between heirs to the throne.

&
External factors like foreign invasions.
protecting of the ruling capital was of prime importance.

* In order to ensure protection, the capital was shifted to

- Dambadeniya.
- Yapahuwa.
- Kurunegala.
- Gampola.
- Kotte.
- Finally the capital was shifted to Kandy.
2- The new trends that were created in world trade:
* there grew a considerable demand for the spices in Sri Lanka.
- The wet zone which abounds with spices; became more favorable for
trade activities.

* New agricultural systems.

I - cultivating small areas of paddy lands.
II - terraced cultivations.
III - in addition; chena crops like * millet and other grains.
* fruits.
* vegetables were cultivated.
 Establishment of Dambadeniya Kingdom.
( 1232AD – 1272 AD )
* after the downfall of Polonnaruwa kingdom:

- King Vijayabahu III selected Dambadeniya as

the seat of rule for the 1st time.

- When he ascended the throne in Dambadeniya

the entire country was divided into three divisions namely
I Ruhunu.
II Pihiti.
III Maya.
 King Vijayabahu III ( 1232 AD – 1236 AD )

* other names : I- Vanni Raja ( he conquered the region of Vanni – an area of

Northern part of Sri Lanka. )

II- Mahalu Vijayaba ( he was old when he ascended the throne)

III- Wathhimi Vijayaba.
Services of King Vijayabahu III :

1- Built a palace for the Sacred Tooth Relic at Beligala of Kegalle.

2- built two pirivens.

* Vijayasundararamaya at Dambadeniya.
* Vijayaba pirivena at Wattala.

3- Unified Maya division out of three divisions. ( Ruhunu, Pihiti, Maya )

 King Parakramabahu II ( 1236 AD – 1270 AD )

* The eldest son of king Vijayabahu III.

* He was able to unify the country once again.

* Challenges:
I- Driving away Kalinga Magha.
- this ruthless invader ruled nearly 40 years.

II- Defeating the first invasion of king Chandrabanu.

III – Defeating the second invasion of king Chandrabanu.
- he was able to repulse this invader with the support of Minister Deva
Pathiraja.

* Dambadeniya reached the zenith of its glory during his time.

* He became famous as a scholar & conferred the title of “ Kalikaala Sahithya Sarvagna
Panditha “.

* The VisuddiMarga Sannasa & Kavsilumina were written by him.

Artistic creations in Dambadeniya:

Services of king Parakramabahu II

1- Built a palace to deposit the Sacred Tooth Relic in Dambadeniya.

2- Held “ Dambadeni Kathikawatha” – the rules and regulations regarding the

administration of Viharas.

3- Implemented development activities of the country.

- under the supervision of minister Devapathiraja.

4- developing the roads leading to Sri Paada.

5- Constructed parks and bridges.

6- Cultivated crops like coconut.

Thank You….