Sinhalese monarchy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King of the Sinhalese Kingdom |
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| සිංහල ද්වීපයේ රජ | |
Royal Standard of the King of Kandy in 1815
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Vijaya
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| Details | |
| First monarch | Vijaya |
| Last monarch | Sri Vikrama Rajasinha |
| Formation | 543 BC |
| Abolition | 2 March 1815 |
| Residence | Capital of Sri Lanka |
The Sinhalese monarchy (Sinhala සිංහල රාජාණ්ඩුව) refers to the kings and queens who ruled the island of Sri Lanka for over 2,300 years. This long history began with the arrival of people from North India.
According to old stories like the Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya and 700 followers landed in Sri Lanka in 543 BC. They are said to have started the first Sinhala Kingdom, called Tambapanni. Many believe Prince Vijaya's group were the ancestors of the Sinhalese people. However, some historians think these early settlers were actually brave merchants looking for new lands.
The Sinhalese monarch was the main leader of the Sinhala Kingdom. They had complete power, and the position was passed down through families. The monarchy included the ruler, their family, and the people who helped them with their royal duties. The kingdom of Tambapanni and the kingdoms that followed were all located in what is now Sri Lanka. The monarchy ended in 1815 when Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy, lost his power due to European influence.
Contents
How the Monarchy Began
The first Sinhalese kings came from groups of people who settled in Sri Lanka from North India. Historians like Senarath Paranavithana suggest these settlers were likely adventurous merchants. They came from different places and arrived in groups, each with its own leader. Early writings show that Indian merchants visited Sri Lanka to find pearls and precious stones. Over time, some of these settlers decided to stay and provide goods to other merchants who visited the island.
As these settlements grew, they needed a way to govern themselves. It's thought that they might have elected leaders for each settlement. These early leaders were called Parumaka. Later, these different settlements felt the need for a single leader, especially during wars or to settle disagreements. This main leader was known as Gamani.
Historians believe that the earliest Sinhalese kings were actually these elected Gamani leaders. If a Gamani's son was a good leader, he might succeed his father. This is how the idea of leadership being passed down through families slowly began. At first, these leaders might not have had all the fancy symbols of royalty.
In ancient India, to be truly recognized as a king, a special ceremony called an abhiṣeka (consecration rite) was needed. It seems that before Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, Sinhalese rulers did not have this ceremony. This suggests they were popular leaders chosen by the people, rather than kings in the traditional sense.
It is thought that the great Maurayan Emperor Ashoka from India helped introduce the idea of formal kingship to the Sinhalese people. The title Devanampiya ("Beloved of The Gods"), which was a royal title used by Ashoka, was adopted by Tissa, who became Devanampiya Tissa.
A Look at History
Early Kingdoms
According to the Mahavamsa, the Kingdom of Tambapanni was started by Prince Vijaya and his followers. They landed near modern-day Mannar. Vijaya made Tambapanni his capital.
When Vijaya was nearing the end of his rule, he wanted his brother Sumitta to take over. However, Vijaya died before his brother arrived. So, an elected minister named Upatissa became the temporary ruler for a year. During this time, Upatissa built a new capital called Upatissa Nuwara, moving the kingdom from Tambapanni. Later, Sumitta sent his son Panduvasdeva to rule Upatissa Nuwara.
The Anuradhapura Period
The rule of Tissa was very important for Sri Lanka. This period saw the arrival of Buddhism on the island. With Buddhism, the idea of formal kingship and monarchy became stronger. This time also brought many advancements in the economy, technology, and culture.
However, the early Anuradhapura period (137 BC – 684 AD) also had many political problems. There were often fights between different royal families over who should be king. This led to a lot of instability.
Polonnaruwa and Later Periods
After the fall of Polonnaruwa in the 13th century, the monarchy faced challenges. The capital city changed many times.
European Influence
This time saw the arrival of Europeans, like the Portuguese and Dutch, who began to influence the island.
In 1796, the British took control of the coastal areas from the Dutch. After some wars and an agreement called the Kandyan Convention in 1815, the island recognized the British monarch as its ruler. This event ended 2,357 years of the independent Sinhalese monarchy.
What the King Did
Political Role
The king was the absolute ruler and head of the state. However, he had help from important officials and a group of ministers. Even when the king didn't have full control over the entire island, he was still seen as the supreme ruler. Kings always aimed to control the whole island, and sometimes they succeeded.
During the Anuradhapura period, royal officials worked in three main areas: the palace, central government, and provincial areas. A very important position was the Purohita, who advised the king. The king also had a group of ministers called Amati paheja. The Senapati (Commander-in-Chief of the Army) was second only to the king. Often, relatives of the king held important positions, like the Yuvaraja (sub-king) or governors of provinces.
The kingdom was often divided into sections or provinces, each governed separately. Over time, these divisions increased. For example, by the time of Silakala (518–31), there were three provinces. The king directly managed the area around the capital, called Rajarata. Other areas like Ruhuna (the southern part) and Malaya Rata (the hill country) were managed by officials. Smaller units were called rata, and the smallest was the gama (village), led by a gamika or gamladda.
Judicial Role
Besides political power, the Sinhalese monarch also had judicial power. Laws were based on Buddhist teachings, traditions, and moral principles. The king announced the laws, and they were followed by those who managed justice. Old rock carvings have been found that record these royal announcements.
The main judicial officer was the Viniccayamacca, with other officers called Vinicchayaka working under him. Village leaders and provincial governors also had the power to make judgments. In villages, justice was first handled by village assemblies, usually made up of elders. Later, groups of ten villages, called dasagam, were responsible for justice in their area. Punishments varied depending on the king. Some kings were more lenient, while others were stricter. Serious crimes like treason, murder, and killing cattle were usually punishable by death.
The king was the final judge in legal disagreements. All cases against royal family members or high officials were judged by him. However, the king had to be careful and consult his advisers. Some kings, like Udaya, kept records of important judgments in the royal library to ensure fairness in future decisions.
Religious Role
There was a strong connection between the ruler and the Sangha (Buddhist monks) after Buddhism came to Sri Lanka. This link grew even stronger during Dutugamunu's reign. Monks often advised and guided the king on important decisions.
While some rulers favored only one group of monks, most supported all Buddhist groups equally. However, during times of internal conflict, religious places were sometimes looted by the rulers themselves.
How Kingship Was Passed Down
The kingdom was ruled by a king or queen. Usually, the throne was passed down from father to son. If there was no son, it could go to the previous king's eldest brother. A few queens also ruled. In the early years of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the rules for who would become king were not always clear. The current monarch would often choose a family member, usually a son or brother, to succeed them.
Later, clearer rules for succession developed. This helped bring more political stability and smoother changes in power. The idea that kings were almost divine also made the monarch's position more sacred. This made it harder for rivals to claim the throne, even if the king was not very strong. Before these rules, disputes over who would be king often caused a lot of instability.
Becoming King and End of Rule
A king or queen would officially take the throne through an abhiṣeka ceremony, which was like a coronation. These ceremonies became common during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa, influenced by Emperor Ashoka of India.
Temporary Rulers
There were four times in the kingdom's history when there was no king or queen ruling directly. These periods are called interregnums.
The Monarchs
There have been 184 monarchs who ruled over nine different kingdoms. Five of these rulers were queens: Anula of Anuradhapura, Sivali of Anuradhapura, Chattagahaka Jantu of Anuradhapura, Lilavati of Polonnaruwa, and Kalyanavati of Polonnaruwa. Each monarch belonged to one of nine royal families. Sometimes, foreigners from Southern India also ruled the Sinhalese Monarchy, usually by taking the throne by force.
In the early kingdoms, all monarchs belonged to the House of Vijaya. This family was named after Prince Vijaya, who is seen as the ancestor of the Sinhalese people. This dynasty continued into the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Later, other dynasties like the Lambakanna and Moriya families also ruled.
Royal Symbols
- Titles
Sinhalese monarchs had many royal titles over time. The main title was "King" (or "Queen"), known as "Raja" in Sinhala.
- Throne
- Sceptres
Before formal kingship, early leaders used special staffs called yatthi as symbols of their authority. These staffs were believed to have magical qualities. Some historians think the three yatthi might have represented control over different parts of the island.
- Tooth Relic of the Buddha
Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa. Later, during the time of Sirimeghavanna (301–328), the Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India. The king carried it in a special procession and placed it in a mansion. He ordered this procession to be held every year, a tradition that continues today. Over time, the Tooth Relic became one of the most sacred objects in the country and a powerful symbol of kingship. The person who held the Tooth Relic was considered the rightful ruler.
- Other Royal Items
When Emperor Ashoka helped Devanampiya Tissa become king, he sent many important items for the consecration ceremony. These included special conch shells, water from the Ganges River, and various types of pots and families needed for the ceremony.
Royal Flags
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Flag of King Dutugamunu, shown in the Dambulla Viharaya
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Flag of Kotte (1412–1597)
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Flag of Sitawaka (1521–1594)
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Standard of the King of Kandy (1469–1815)
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Capital Cities
Timeline of Capitals
