Kashyapa I of Anuradhapura
| Kashyapa I (Kasyapa I) | |
|---|---|
| King of Anuradhapura | |
| Reign | 473–495 |
| Predecessor | House of Maurya |
| Dynasty | Moriya |
| Father | Dhatusena |
| Mother | A non-royal wife of King Dhatusena |
Kashyapa I, also known as Kasyapa I or Kassapa I, was a king of
Acquiring the throne
Though Kashyapa was the eldest son of the king, he was not the
Dhatusena was imprisoned, and Kashyapa became the king of the country in 473, as the second king in the Moriyan Dynasty of Sri Lanka. However, Moggallana fled to South India, fearing that his brother would assassinate him. Migara led Kashyapa to believe that Dhatusena had treasures of large wealth hidden away, and Kashyapa demanded these treasures from the imprisoned king. Dhatusena took his captors to the
Construction of the city and citadel at Sigiriya
Kashyapa was disgraced among the public and the bikkhus, and he received the name Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa, meaning Kashyapa the Patricide. Because of this, and fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved his capital and residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure location of Sigiriya rock. At Sigiriya, he constructed a large citadel and elaborate city. His palace was built on top of the Sigiriya rock.[6]
Sigiriya was a large rock rising above the surrounding plain, offering an unhindered view in all directions. It was chosen as the capital because of the strategic advantage this would give the defenders during an attack. Large ramparts and moats were built around the city. An elaborate and large garden was built around the rock.[7] These gardens consisted a number of pools, fountains and other structures. A complex underground irrigation system supplied water to these pools and fountains, and the fountains are functional to this day.[1]
The constructions on top of the Sigiriya rock include the king’s palace among several other buildings and pools. The Sigiriya frescoes, which depict maidens carrying flowers, were also created during Kashyapa’s reign at Sigiriya.[1] The Mirror Wall which is also known as the Ketapath Pawura is another important creation.
Defeat and death
Moggallana organised an army in South India and returned to Sri Lanka to claim his right to the throne. In the battle that ensued in the plains surrounding Sigiriya, Kashyapa’s army was defeated. The king tried a tactical move on his war elephant, which his troops interpreted as retreating, and abandoned him. Instead of being captured by his brother, the king killed himself with his own sword. Kashyapa’s reign as king of Sri Lanka ended with this defeat in 495, and Moggallana became the king as Moggallana I.
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 955-613-111-6.
- ^ ISBN 9780987345110.
- ^ Mihindukulasuroya Susantha Fernando (2005-10-29). "Mysteries of Sigiriya and its landscape garden". Daily News. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
- ^ a b "Sigiriya". Discover Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ Geiger, Wilhelm (1927). Cūlavaṃsa being the most recent part of the Mahavamsa. London: Milford. p. 40.
- ^ Hansima Vitharanage (2007-01-09). "Sigiriya frescos? the surviving verdict for the marvel of human creativity". The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
- ^ "Major Cultural Assets in Sri Lanka". Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 2008-11-08. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
External links
Media related to Sigiriya at Wikimedia Commons- Kasyapa of Sigiriya | King Kashyapa I
Monarchs of the Sinhala Kingdom | ||
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| Pre-Anuradhapura period House of Vijaya (543–237 BCE) |
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| Anuradhapura period House of Vijaya (543–237 BCE) Chola dynasty (237–215 BCE) House of Vijaya (215–205 BCE) Chola dynasty (205–161 BCE) House of Vijaya (161–103 BCE) The Five Dravidians (103–89 BCE) House of Vijaya (89 BCE–66 CE) House of Lambakanna I (66–436) The Six Dravidians (436–463) House of Moriya (463–691) House of Lambakanna II (691–1017) |
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| Anuradhapura from Rohana |
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Pandyan dynasty (1212–1215) (1215–1236)Eastern Ganga dynasty |
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| Transitional period House of Siri Sanga Bo (1220–1505) |
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| Kandyan period House of Dinajara (1591–1739) Nayaks of Kandy (1739–1815) |
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Italics indicate regent.
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