Kashyapa I
Kashyapa I (Kasyapa I) | |
---|---|
King of Anuradhapura | |
Reign | 473–495 |
Predecessor | Dhatusena |
Successor | Moggallana |
Born | c.448 |
Died | 495 (aged 46-47) |
Issue | Princess Bodhi Princess Uthpalawanna |
House | 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 Sri Lanka, who ruled the country from 473 to 495 CE. He was the second king of the royal Moriya dynasty of Sri Lanka. Kashyapa is credited with the construction of the Sigiriya citadel and the surrounding city.[1][2][3] He acquired the throne by overthrowing his father, King Dhatusena, and usurping his brother and rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, in a palace coup. He imprisoned and later immured his father. Kashyapa was also known as Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa (Kashyapa the Patricide), after this incident. He was later defeated by Moggallana, who had fled to South India and returned with an army to regain the throne. Kashyapa was killed in the battle that ensued.
Acquiring the throne
Though Kashyapa was the eldest son of the king, he was not the heir to the throne. Moggallana was the son of the royal consort and the rightful heir to the throne (But king Dhatusena named Kassapa as next king), while Kassapa was born to a non-royal wife. However, Kashyapa sought to acquire the throne by usurping Moggallana. He was assisted by the commander of the king’s army, Migara, who sought vengeance for a disagreement between himself and the king. Assisted and encouraged by Migara, Kashyapa carried out a palace coup and overthrew Dhatusena.[4]
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 Kala wewa, a large irrigation tank he had constructed, and told him that it was the only treasure he had. Enraged at this, Kasyapa had his father murdered by immuring him in a wall.[2][5] (an alternate story is that he was buried alive in the bund wall of the Kala weva.[4]
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
- ^ a b c Bandaranayake, Senake (1999). Sigiriya. Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka. pp. 5, 6. ISBN 955-613-111-6.
- ^ a b Ponnamperuma, Senani (2013). The Story of Sigiriya. Melbourne, Australia: Panique Pty Ltd. pp. 19–22. 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
Kashyapa I | ||
Regnal titles | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by | King of Rajarata 473–495 AD | Succeeded by |
- v
- t
- e
House of Vijaya (543–237 BCE)
- Prince Vijaya (543 BCE–505 BCE)
- Upatissa (505 BCE–504 BCE)
- Panduvasdeva (504 BCE–474 BCE)
- Abhaya (474 BCE–454 BCE)
- Tissa (454 BCE–437 BCE)
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)
- Pandukabhaya (437–367 BCE)
- Mutasiva (367–307 BCE)
- Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BCE)
- Uttiya (267–257 BCE)
- Mahasiva (257–247 BCE)
- Suratissa (247–237 BCE)
- Sena and Guttika (237–215 BCE)
- Asela (215–205 BCE)
- Elara (205–161 BCE)
- Dutugamunu (161–137 BCE)
- Saddha Tissa (137–119 BCE)
- Thulatthana (119 BCE)
- Lanja Tissa (119–109 BCE)
- Khallata Naga (109–104 BCE)
- Valagamba (104–103 BCE)
- Pulahatta (103–100 BCE)
- Bahiya (100–98 BCE)
- Panya Mara (98–91 BCE)
- Pilaya Mara (91–90 BCE)
- Dathika (90–88 BCE)
- Valagamba (89–76 BCE)
- Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BCE)
- Chora Naga (62–50 BCE)
- Kuda Tissa (50–47 BCE)
- Siva I (47 BCE)
- Vatuka (47 BCE)
- Darubhatika Tissa (47 BCE)
- Niliya (47 BCE)
- Anula (47 BCE)
- Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BCE)
- Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BCE–9 CE)
- Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21)
- Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30)
- Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33)
- Chulabhaya (33–35)
- Sivali (35–35)
- Interregnum (35–38)
- Ilanaga (38–44)
- Chandamukha (44–52)
- Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60)
- Subharaja (60–66)
- Vasabha (66–110)
- Vankanasika Tissa (110–113)
- Gajabahu I (113–135)
- Mahallaka Naga (135–141)
- Bhatika Tissa (141–165)
- Kanittha Tissa (165–193)
- Cula Naga (193–195)
- Kuda Naga (195–196)
- Siri Naga I (196–215)
- Voharika Tissa (215–237)
- Abhaya Naga (237–245)
- Siri Naga II (245–247)
- Vijaya Kumara (247–248)
- Sangha Tissa I (248–252)
- Siri Sangha Bodhi I (252–254)
- Gothabhaya (254–267)
- Jettha Tissa I (267–277)
- Mahasena (277–304)
- Sirimeghavanna (304–332)
- Jettha Tissa II (332–341)
- Buddhadasa (341–370)
- Upatissa I (370–412)
- Mahanama (412–434)
- Soththisena (434)
- Chattagahaka Jantu (434–435)
- Mittasena (435–436)
- Pandu (436–441)
- Parindu (441)
- Khudda Parinda (441–447)
- Tiritara (447)
- Dathiya (447–450)
- Pithiya (450–452)
- Dhatusena (463–479)
- Kashyapa I (479–497)
- Moggallana I (497–515)
- Kumara Dhatusena (515–524)
- Kittisena (524)
- Siva II (524–525)
- Upatissa II (525–526)
- Silakala Ambosamanera (526–539)
- Dathappabhuti (539–540)
- Moggallana II (540–560)
- Kittisiri Meghavanna (560–561)
- Maha Naga (561–564)
- Aggabodhi I (564–598)
- Aggabodhi II (598–608)
- Sangha Tissa II (608)
- Moggallana III (608–614)
- Silameghavanna (614–623)
- Aggabodhi III (623)
- Jettha Tissa III (623–624)
- Aggabodhi III (624–640)
- Dathopa Tissa I (640–652)
- Kassapa II (652–661)
- Dappula I (661–664)
- Dathopa Tissa II (664–673)
- Aggabodhi IV (673–689)
- Unhanagara Hatthadatha (691)
- Manavanna (691–726)
- Aggabodhi V (726–732)
- Kassapa III (732–738)
- Mahinda I (738–741)
- Aggabodhi VI (741–781)
- Aggabodhi VII (781–787)
- Mahinda II (787–807)
- Dappula II (807–812)
- Mahinda III (812–816)
- Aggabodhi VIII (816–827)
- Dappula III (827–843)
- Aggabodhi IX (843–846)
- Sena I (846–866)
- Sena II (866–901)
- Udaya I (901–912)
- Kassapa IV (912–929)
- Kassapa V (929–939)
- Dappula IV (939–940)
- Dappula V (940–952)
- Udaya II (952–955)
- Sena III (955–964)
- Udaya III (964–972)
- Sena IV (972–975)
- Mahinda IV (975–991)
- Sena V (991–1001)
- Mahinda V (1001–1029)
- Kassapa VI (1029–1040)
- Mahalana–Kitti (1040–1042)
- Vikrama Pandu (1042–1043)
- Jagatipala (1043–1046)
- Parakrama Pandu (1046–1048)
- Loka (1048–1054)
- Kassapa VII (1054–1055)
House of Vijayabahu (1055–1187)
House of Kalinga (1187–1197)
House of Vijayabahu (1197–1200)
House of Kalinga (1200–1209)
House of Vijayabahu (1209–1210)
Lokissara (1210–1211)
House of Vijayabahu (1211–1212)
Pandyan dynasty (1212–1215)
Eastern Ganga dynasty (1215–1236)
- Vijayabahu I (1055–1110)
- Jayabahu I (1110–1111)
- Vikramabahu I (1111–1132)
- Gajabahu II (1132–1153)
- Parakramabahu I (1153–1186)
- Vijayabahu II (1186–1187)
- Mahinda VI (1187)
- Nissanka Malla (1187–1196)
- Vira Bahu I (1196)
- Vikramabahu II (1196)
- Chodaganga (1196–1197)
- Lilavati (1197–1200)
- Sahassa Malla (1200–1202)
- Kalyanavati (1202–1208)
- Dharmasoka (1208–1209)
- Anikanga (1209)
- Lilavati (1209–1210)
- Lokissara (1210–1211)
- Lilavati (1211–1212)
- Parakrama Pandya (1212–1215)
- Kalinga Magha (1215–1236)
House of Siri Sanga Bo (1220–1597)
House of Senasammata Vikramabahu (1469–1592)
- Vijayabahu III (1220–1234)
- Parakramabahu II (1234–1270)
- Vijayabahu IV (1270–1272)
- Bhuvanaikabahu I (1272–1284)
- Interregnum (1285–1286)
- Parakramabahu III (1287–1293)
- Bhuvanaikabahu II (1293–1302)
- Parakramabahu IV (1302–1326)
- Bhuvanaikabahu III (1326–1335)
- Vijayabahu V (1335–1341)
- Bhuvanaikabahu IV (1341–1351)
- Parakramabahu V (1344–1359)
- Vikramabahu III (1357–1374)
- Bhuvanaikabahu V (1371–1408)
- Vira Bahu II (1391/92–1397)
- Vijayabahu VI (1397–1409)
- Parakramabahu Epa (1409–1412)
- Parakramabahu VI (1410–1467)
- Jayabahu II (1467–1472)
- Bhuvanaikabahu VI (1469–1477)
- Parakramabahu VII (1477)
- Parakramabahu VIII (1477–1489)
- Parakramabahu IX (1489–1513)
- Vijayabahu VII (1513–1521)
- Bhuvanaikabahu VII (1521–1551)
- Dharmapala (1551–1597)
- Sitawaka Line:
- Mayadunne (1521–1581)
- Rajasinha I (1581–1593)
- Rajasuriya (1593–1594)
- Kandyan Line:
- Senasammata Vikramabahu (1469– 1511)
- Jayavira Bandara (1511–1551)
- Karalliyadde Bandara (1551–1581)
- Kusumasana Devi (1582–1582)
- Rajasinha I (1582–1592)
House of Vimaladharmasuriya (1592–1739)
Nayaks of Kandy (1739–1815)
- Vimaladharmasuriya I (1592–1604)
- Senarat (1604–1635)
- Rajasinha II (1635–1687)
- Vimaladharmasuriya II (1687–1707)
- Vira Narendra Sinha (1707–1739)
- Sri Vijaya Rajasinha (1739–1747)
- Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747–1782)
- Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha (1782–1798)
- Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (1798–1815)
- Category