Difference between revisions of "Polonnaruwa" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | [[UNESCO]]declared the ancient city of Polonnaruwa a [[World Heritage site]]. King Vijayabahu I first declared '''Polonnaruwa''', the second most ancient of [[Sri Lanka]]'s kingdoms, the capital city in 1070 C.E. He defeated the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] invaders to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While historians consider Vijayabahu's victory, and the shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa, significant, his grandson, [[Parakramabahu|Parakramabahu I]], receives much of the credit for building Polonnaruwa. During Chola" short reign, Polonnaruwa went by the name ''Jananathamangalam''.<ref>''World and its peoples: Eastern and southern Asia''. 2007. (New York: Marshall Cavendish), p. 351</ref> | |
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| − | King Vijayabahu I first declared '''Polonnaruwa''', the second most ancient of [[Sri Lanka]]'s kingdoms, the capital city in 1070 C.E. He defeated the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] invaders | ||
===Golden Age of Polonnaruwa=== | ===Golden Age of Polonnaruwa=== | ||
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| − | [[Parakramabahu|Parakramabahu I]]'s reign | + | [[Parakramabahu|Parakramabahu I]]'s reign marked the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under his patronage. The king adamantly commanded that every drop of water falling from the sky would be used to irrigate crops. He directed the creation of irrigation systems vastly superior to those of the [[Anuradhapura]] Age. Those irrigation systems still supply the water for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the eastern part of the country. The greatest of those systems, the [[Parakrama Samudraya]] or the Sea of Parakrama, constitutes a tank so vast that people often mistaken it for a sea. The tank has such a width that a person standing one shore can not view the other side. It encircles the main city, serving as both a defensive border against intruders and the main source of water during peace time. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa enjoyed complete water self-sufficiency during King Parakramabahu's reign.<ref>Walter Nubin. 2002. ''Sri Lanka: current issues and historical background'' (New York: Nova Science Publishers), p. 103. </ref> |
| − | With the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all other monarchs of Polonnaruwa had been weak-willed and prone to create dissension within their own courts. They formed intimate matrimonial alliances with stronger [[South India]]n Kingdoms, those matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage. That gave rise to King [[Magha]]'s | + | With the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all the other monarchs of Polonnaruwa had been weak-willed and prone to create dissension within their own courts. They formed intimate matrimonial alliances with stronger [[South India]]n Kingdoms, those matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage. That gave rise to King [[Kalinga Magha]]'s invasion in 1214. That invasion set the stage a Pandyan King to take the throne following the [[Arya Chakrawarthi]] invasion of [[Sri Lanka]] in 1284, the capital shifting to [[Dambadeniya]].<ref>John Faithful Fleet. 1882. ''The dynasties of the Kanarese districts of the Bombay presidency from the earliest historical times to the Muhammadan conquest of A.D. 1318''. [Ames Library pamphlet collection, 97:6]. (Bombay: Government Central Press), p. 59. </ref> |
===Polonnaruwa Kingdom=== | ===Polonnaruwa Kingdom=== | ||
| − | The '''Polonnaruwa Kingdom''' | + | The '''Polonnaruwa Kingdom''' reigned from eighth century until 1310 C.E. After ruling the country for over 1200 years as the [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]], Sri Lankan kings decide to move their capital to [[Polonnaruwa]], hoping that the distance further inland from [[Anuradhapura]] would allow more time to organize defenses in times of foreign invasion. Polonnaruwa had previously been an important settlement in the country as it commanded the crossings of the [[Mahaweli Ganga]] towards Anuradhapura. |
Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include [[Vijayabahu I]] and [[Parakramabahu I]] (Parakramabahu the Great). Most of the remains of Polonnaruwa date from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city. The Polonnaruwa Kingdom had been abandoned in the 14th century, and the seat of government for the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] kings moved to Yapahuwa. Although many factors contributed to that, it's susceptibility to invasions from south [[India]] had been the leading cause of the abandonment of Polonnaruwa as the capital city of Sri Lanka. | Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include [[Vijayabahu I]] and [[Parakramabahu I]] (Parakramabahu the Great). Most of the remains of Polonnaruwa date from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city. The Polonnaruwa Kingdom had been abandoned in the 14th century, and the seat of government for the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] kings moved to Yapahuwa. Although many factors contributed to that, it's susceptibility to invasions from south [[India]] had been the leading cause of the abandonment of Polonnaruwa as the capital city of Sri Lanka. | ||
Revision as of 23:09, 22 August 2008
| Ancient City of Polonnaruwa* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  Sri Lanka
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, iii, vi |
| Reference | 201 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1982 (6th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
UNESCOdeclared the ancient city of Polonnaruwa a World Heritage site. King Vijayabahu I first declared Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, the capital city in 1070 C.E. He defeated the Chola invaders to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While historians consider Vijayabahu's victory, and the shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa, significant, his grandson, Parakramabahu I, receives much of the credit for building Polonnaruwa. During Chola" short reign, Polonnaruwa went by the name Jananathamangalam.[1]
Golden Age of Polonnaruwa
| Polonnaruwa | |
| Statue at Gal Vihariya | |
| Coordinates: {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:7|56|0|N|81|0|0|E|type:city | |
|---|---|
| name= }} | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | North Central Province, Sri Lanka |
| Polonnaruwa | Before 1070 C.E. |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | |
| Area | |
| - Total | 3,293 km² (1,271.4 sq mi) |
| - Land | 3,077 km² (1,188 sq mi) |
| - Water | 216 km² (83.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2001) | |
| - Total | 359,000 |
| - Density | 117/km² (303/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30) |
Parakramabahu I's reign marked the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under his patronage. The king adamantly commanded that every drop of water falling from the sky would be used to irrigate crops. He directed the creation of irrigation systems vastly superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age. Those irrigation systems still supply the water for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the eastern part of the country. The greatest of those systems, the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama, constitutes a tank so vast that people often mistaken it for a sea. The tank has such a width that a person standing one shore can not view the other side. It encircles the main city, serving as both a defensive border against intruders and the main source of water during peace time. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa enjoyed complete water self-sufficiency during King Parakramabahu's reign.[2]
With the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all the other monarchs of Polonnaruwa had been weak-willed and prone to create dissension within their own courts. They formed intimate matrimonial alliances with stronger South Indian Kingdoms, those matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage. That gave rise to King Kalinga Magha's invasion in 1214. That invasion set the stage a Pandyan King to take the throne following the Arya Chakrawarthi invasion of Sri Lanka in 1284, the capital shifting to Dambadeniya.[3]
Polonnaruwa Kingdom
The Polonnaruwa Kingdom reigned from eighth century until 1310 C.E. After ruling the country for over 1200 years as the Anuradhapura Kingdom, Sri Lankan kings decide to move their capital to Polonnaruwa, hoping that the distance further inland from Anuradhapura would allow more time to organize defenses in times of foreign invasion. Polonnaruwa had previously been an important settlement in the country as it commanded the crossings of the Mahaweli Ganga towards Anuradhapura.
Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I (Parakramabahu the Great). Most of the remains of Polonnaruwa date from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city. The Polonnaruwa Kingdom had been abandoned in the 14th century, and the seat of government for the Sinhalese kings moved to Yapahuwa. Although many factors contributed to that, it's susceptibility to invasions from south India had been the leading cause of the abandonment of Polonnaruwa as the capital city of Sri Lanka.
Kings and Queens of Polonnaruwa
- Vijayabahu I
- Jaya Bahu
- Vikrama Bahu
- Parakrama Bahu, The Great
- Nissankamalla I
- Queen Lilavati
Polonnaruwa Archaeological Site
Gal Vihare
The Gal Vihare refers to a rock temple of the Buddha situated in Polonnaruwa. Parakramabahu the Great constructed the temple in the twelfth century, his architects excavated the shrine and left an inscription describing their work.[4] Four large statues of the Buddha, carved into the face of a granite boulder by Parakramabahu's architects, constitute the central attraction of the shrine. Those include a recumbent statue of the Buddha measuring forty six feet and a standing statue which is 23 ft. in height.[5]
A standing figure on a lotus throne also stands inside the shrine that has been identified by historians as Ananda, the Buddha's chief disciple, weeping over the recumbent figure of the Buddha who has just attained Nirvana.[4] Some historians, including Dr. Andreas Nell disagree, suggest that the figure depicts Buddha with an expression of sorrow caused by the elements.[4]
Other Archeological ruins in the Polonnaruwa District
- Dimbulagala
- Madirigiriya
- Namal Pokuna
- Silumina Saya
- Maduru Oya
- Thoppigala
- Kalahagala
- Alahara
- Girithale
Polonnaruwa in the Twenty First Century
The remains of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa stands as the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, bearing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the kingdom's first rulers. Nearby the ancient city, a small town offers several hotels and several shops for daily necessities. Government institutions stand in a newly built area called “New Town,” about six kilometers away from the town on the main road. The largest school in the district, Polonnaruwa Royal Central College operates in New Town.
Polonnaruwa constitutes the second largest city in North Central Province, considered one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The green environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parackrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200 C.E.), quality tourist hotels and friendly local peoples attracts visitors from near and far. Historically Polonnaruwa has had a tropical climate most of the year, although occasionally experiencing chilly weather in December and January. Recently an increase in rain fall and lower temperatures have been measured. Visitors to Polonnaruwa tend to appreciate the cooler weather although paddy field farmers suffer when their fields experience flooding.[6]
Gallery
The Recumbent statue of the Buddha. The Gal Vihariya in Polanaruwa had all three postures of the Buddha carved out of a single rock. A World Heritage site.
Polanaruwa ruins: What's left of an ancient library and reading room, at Sri Lanka's second capital city.
Garden at Polonnaruwa
Temple at Polonnaruwa
Buddha statue at a templein Polonnaruwa
Tank in Polonnaruwa constructed for the ancient cities water supply.
See also
- Anuradhapura
- Sigiriya
- Mahawamsa
Notes
- ↑ World and its peoples: Eastern and southern Asia. 2007. (New York: Marshall Cavendish), p. 351
- ↑ Walter Nubin. 2002. Sri Lanka: current issues and historical background (New York: Nova Science Publishers), p. 103.
- ↑ John Faithful Fleet. 1882. The dynasties of the Kanarese districts of the Bombay presidency from the earliest historical times to the Muhammadan conquest of A.D. 1318. [Ames Library pamphlet collection, 97:6]. (Bombay: Government Central Press), p. 59.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Jones-Bateman, R (1932). An illustrated guide to the buried cities of Ceylon. Kandy: Queen's Hotel, Kandy. OCLC 363716.
- ↑ The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa. Sri Lanka Ministry of Tourism. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ↑ Richard Plunkett, Brigitte Ellemor, and Verity Campbell. 2003. Sri Lanka (Melbourne, Vic: Lonely Planet), p. 234f.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Abeysinghe, Abeyratna Banda. 1998. Guide to Polonnaruwa. Panadura: Dimuthu Printers. ISBN 9789558096000.
- Balasooriya, Jayasinghe (2004). The Glory of Ancient Polonnaruva. Sooriya Printers, Polonnaruva. ISBN 955-8158-01-1 (Archeological ruins)
- Basnayake, H. T., and Uda Hettige. 2007. Polonnaruwa civilization. Colombo: Godage International Book Publishers. ISBN 9789552074752.
- Fleet, John Faithful. 1882. The dynasties of the Kanarese districts of the Bombay presidency from the earliest historical times to the Muhammadan conquest of A.D. 1318. [Ames Library pamphlet collection, 97:6]. Bombay: Government Central Press. OCLC 30609559.
- Nubin, Walter. 2002. Sri Lanka: current issues and historical background. New York: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 9781590335734.
- Paranavitana, Senarat and Cyril Wace Nicholas. 1961. A Concise History of Ceylon. Ceylon University Press, Colombo. OCLC 465385.
- Plunkett, Richard, Brigitte Ellemor, and Verity Campbell. 2003. Sri Lanka. Melbourne, Vic: Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781740594233.
- World and its peoples: Eastern and southern Asia. 2007. New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 9780761476351.
External links
- Detailed map of Polonnaruwa and Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Discover Sri Lanka - More information & images about Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Discover Sri Lanka - Historical background of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Discover Sri Lanka - Old City of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - World Heritage. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- "Discovering Polonnaruwa" - an article in The Hindu. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Galvihara - a unique display of rock art. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- A list of traditional names of cities in Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
- Places of interest in polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
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