This article is part of a continuing series on the 'Mahavamsa,' the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history

The end of the Anuradhapura era

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

King Mihindu V, was residing in Kapugal Nuwara. He did not have the faintest idea about the plight, the country was in. Nor did he bother about the suffering his subjects were going through. All he did was eat, drink and make merry. All the ministers were disgusted of his behaviour. Nonetheless, they had the patience to tolerate him, as he was their king. They did not desert him. The people were very sad about this misconduct of the king but they were helpless.

In the meantime, the Cholas who had invaded the country, were looking for the king. They sent out a number of spies. The king's soldiers kept guard around Kapugal Nuwara, where the king was residing. It was not a success. The Cholas were more powerful and the king's soldiers had to give in. The Chola soldiers besieged the palace. By this time, the king had fled in disguise. The Chola army entered the palace and took the queen, the royal jewels and even the crown. As the king was all alone, in the thick forest, it was difficult to catch him. The Cholas thought of a cunning plan.

They stopped fighting and said that they would like to enter into a peace treaty. For that they said the king of the country should be present. This was announced through the tom-tom beaters. The king believed this. He was badly deceived. He came to meet the Cholas. The enemy arrested the king and went on oppressing the people. The people of Ruhuna were able to keep a son of this king in hiding. The Cholas took King Mihindu V, to Polonnaruwa as a prisoner.

Prince Rajendra, who was living there, was surprised to see the king. Whatever wrongs he had committed, he had the regal look. He possessed the royal pride, that came down through generations. This made the Chola prince show respect to our king. Though a prisoner, he was treated like a king and later he was taken to the Chola country in 1017. This date marks the loss of the freedom of our country, at least to a certain extent. The king lost his kingship. The people suffered at the hands of the enemy.

Thus came to an end an important era, in our history. The Anuradhapura period, ends here. This period commenced, somewhere around 121 BC, when Anuradhapura was made the capital city. Before that too, Anuradhapura existed but as an ordinary city only. A brother of Princess Baddakachchana, who was Anura by name, is responsible for building this city. He was a great-great-grandfather of King Pandukabhaya. It was really king Pandukabhaya, who made Anuradhapura, a kingdom.

He developed the city completely. He added all the features that made up a city and built it anew. Cemeteries, Ashrams and devalas were all built. The king had adopted a really high standard of town-planning, in building this city. From that time onwards about one hundred and eleven kings ruled from the capital city Anuradhapura. Among them were some of the great kings in our history.

These great kings built huge stupas and pillars, which were able to surprise the entire world. Some of these kings were warriors themselves, who even won foreign lands. There were artists and very devoted Buddhists too, among those kings. When Anuradhapura was made the capital, only the Abhaya tank existed. This tank was also known as Basawakkulama. Most of the other tanks in Rajarata, were built during the Anuradhapura period. Kala-Wewa stands out of all these tanks.

Yoda-Ela (the canal), which takes water from this tank is special, because it makes the water flow upwards. The foreigners were amazed to notice this. Even the art and architecture of the Anuradhapura period, is of a very high standard. Though Anuradhapura was attacked by foreign enemies, from time to time, no king wanted to give up Anuradhapura. It is only for a short period during 478 -496, that it changed.