Funday Times

Gaveshaka continues the series in association with Studio Times
Yapahuva – the stronghold of a military leader
Pictures by Nihal Fernando Courtesy: Studio Times www.studiotimes.net Unlike most kings during the Anuradhapura period, only a few who ruled from Polonnaruva could maintain their supremacy over the whole country. Except for Vijayabahu I (1070-1110), Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) and Nissankamalla (1187-1196), others were too weak to control the whole country. Their authority was limited to the Raja Rata in the Dry Zone.

A feature of the rulers after Nissankamalla was their short periods of rule, some limited to just a few months. Among the later rulers were two queens. The first was Lilavati, the widow of Parakramabahu the Great ascending the throne thrice, each time getting dethroned. The other was Kalyanavati, the widow of Nissankamalla. She reigned for six years.

Taking advantage of the weak rulers, the Pandyans from India invaded Sri Lanka. First an army of Pandyans dethroned Lilavati and a Pandyan became king under the name of Parakrama Pandu. After three years, in 1215 A.D.,Kalinga Magha invaded the island with an army of 20,000 and started ruling from Polonnaruva. He was a ruthless king who devastated the Buddhist monasteries and stupas and terrorized the people.

During his rule of 21 years, Sinhalese chieftains set themselves up in different parts of the country. An army commander called Subha established himself at Yapahuva, building a fortress and checking the southward progress of Magha. A prince of the Sinhalese royal line named Vijayabahu established his authority in the southern regions, with Dambadeniya as his capital. He crowned himself as Vijayabahu III (1232-1236). He restored the Kelaniya temple which had been destroyed by the Tamils. Polonnaruva was ruined by the time Kalinga ended his rule. It was Vijayabahu’s son, Parakramabahu II (1236-1270) who successfully launched an onslaught against Magha and defeated him.

A deterioration of the grandeur of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva periods was noticed by the beginning of the 13th century resulting in a shift in population. People moved from Raja Rata to other areas. In addition to Dambadeniya and Yapahuva, areas around Kurunegala and Gampola too began to develop as cities of defense. Remains of palaces of kings in three places other than Gampola have been found. Bhuvanekabahu I (1272-1284) had ruled from Yapahuva.

Historians compare the layout of Yapahuva as somewhat similar to Sigiriya though small in size. Professor W. I. Siriweera describes Yapahuva in his publication, ‘History of Sri Lanka’: The outer gateways were similar to those at Sigiriya. The main gateway from the South was also approached by a flight of steps. Elephants, horses, chariots and carts were allowed in only through the side entrances facing East and West.

The outer moat was 100 feet wide and the inner one was 80 feet. The base of the outer and inner walls was of stone and the upper section was of bricks. The inner wall had a five feet wide platform which served as the parade-walk of the soldiers. The sets of guardrooms at each gate had flights of steps to reach the parade platform. The western entrance at Yapahuva still retains remnants of ancient roadway flanked by shops on either side. The flight of steps to the palace on the summit was built in three tiers.

Professor Paranavitana says that the architectural remains of Yapahuva are the most imposing among those found in the later kingdoms. The monumental flight of steps leads by an imposing gateway (seen in the picture) to what is believed to be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. These are of Dravidian style, Pandya to be exact. The lion remains a dominant element as in Polonnaruva buildings.

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