Valagamba of Anuradhapura facts for kids

Valagamba (also known as Wattagamani Abhaya) was a powerful king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom in Sri Lanka. He became king in 103 BC. Just five months later, he lost his throne due to a rebellion and an invasion from South India. But Valagamba was determined. He fought for fourteen years and finally won back his kingdom. He is also famous for building the Abhayagiri Dagaba, a very important Buddhist temple.

How Valagamba Became King

Valagamba was the fourth son of King Saddha Tissa. Saddha Tissa was the brother of the famous King Dutugamunu. Valagamba's three older brothers ruled before him. Their names were Thulatthana, Lanja Tissa, and Khallata Naga.

Taking the Throne

A general named Kammaharattaka killed King Khallata Naga and took control. Valagamba then defeated Kammaharattaka and became king in 103 BC. He adopted Mahaculika, Khallata Naga's son, as his own. He also made Mahaculika's mother, Anuladevi, his queen. Valagamba had another queen named Somadevi.

Challenges to Valagamba's Rule

Just five months after Valagamba became king, big problems started. A local leader named Tissa rebelled against him. At the same time, an army from South India landed in Sri Lanka. This invading army was led by seven Tamil leaders.

Facing Two Enemies

Both Tissa and the Tamil leaders demanded that Valagamba give up his power. Valagamba cleverly told Tissa that he could have the kingdom if he defeated the invaders. Tissa tried to fight the Tamils but was defeated.

Losing the Kingdom

After Tissa's defeat, the seven Tamil leaders attacked Valagamba. They defeated his army in a battle. As the king was escaping in his chariot, a Jain monk named Giri made fun of him. Valagamba decided that he would build a temple there once he got his throne back. This promise led to the building of the Abhayagiriya later.

To help the king escape, Queen Somadevi bravely got off the chariot. This made the chariot lighter and faster. She was captured by the invaders. A very important sacred item, the Pathra Dathu (a holy bowl relic), was also taken to India. Five different Tamil leaders ruled Anuradhapura for 14 years. Each new ruler killed the one before him.

Hiding and Planning

Valagamba fled to a safe area called Malayarata. A monk named Kuppikkala Mahatissa helped him hide. While in hiding, the king began to gather a large army. He planned to attack Anuradhapura and defeat the invaders.

However, some of his ministers left him, which made his army weaker. Luckily, the Buddhist monks helped the king and his ministers make peace. Valagamba then continued preparing to take back his kingdom.

The Great Drought

During this time, there was a terrible drought called Beminitiya Seya. It caused a huge famine in Sri Lanka. People became very thin, looking like skeletons. Diseases spread because of the many deaths. Life in the country became very difficult. Buddhism also suffered greatly because of the invasions and the death of many monks.

Valagamba Regains His Throne

Around 89 BC, Valagamba was ready. He attacked and defeated Dathika, the last of the invading Tamil leaders. Valagamba finally regained his throne! He ruled for another twelve years until his death in 77 BC.

Honoring His Queens

After becoming king again, Valagamba sent for Queen Somadevi, who had been captured. He brought her back and made her queen once more. To honor her, he built a temple called Somarama or Somawathie.

King Valagamba's Achievements

King Valagamba did many important things for his country.

Building Temples

He built the famous Abhayagiri Dagaba and a large stupa (a dome-shaped building for relics). This stupa is about 70 meters (230 feet) tall. The Abhayagiri temple became one of the three most important Buddhist centers in Sri Lanka.

Valagamba also turned the caves where he hid into a temple. This temple is now known as the Dambulla Rock Temple. He built several other temples too.

Preserving Buddhist Teachings

One of Valagamba's most important actions was helping to record the Tripitaka. The Tripitaka contains the teachings of Buddhism. Before this, monks had passed down these teachings by memory. During the Fourth Buddhist Council, the Tripitaka was written down on palm leaves at the Aluvihara Temple in Matale. This helped to preserve the Buddhist teachings for future generations.

Religious Developments

King Valagamba gave the Abhayagiri Stupa to Kuppikkala Mahatissa Thero, the monk who helped him hide. This was the first time a temple was given privately to a monk. This act caused a disagreement among the Buddhist monks. About 500 monks left the Mahavihara temple and joined Abhayagiriya. They formed a new group, which was the first split in Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

There are different ideas about when Valagamba died and when the Buddhist texts were written down. Some sources say he died in 77 BC. Others suggest that the writing of the Tripitaka happened between 29 BC and 17 BC, during his second reign. This difference in dates is still discussed by historians.

See also

• List of Sri Lankan monarchs
• Beminitiya Seya

Images for kids

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  The Abhayagiri Stupa, built by Valagamba