Historical information from inscriptions

Kamalika PIERIS

Inscriptions of ancient and medieval Sri Lanka are the source for much important information on ancient Sri Lanka. They help historical research in several ways. They corroborate statements in the Mahavamsa. Mahavamsa said that king Gotabhaya (249-262) was also known as Meghavanna Abhaya.

This is confirmed in an inscription of Gotabhaya. Anuradhapura slab inscription of Kassapa V confirms much of what is said about Kassapa V. Kivulekada pillar inscription and Tamaraveva inscription support Mahawamsa information on Sena I and Sena II.

Devinuvara pillar inscription confirms the Mahavamsa account of a rebellion in Ruhuna during time of Sena I. Usgollava pillar slab inscription makes it possible to determine the probable date of the Pandya invasion in the time of Sena I. Inscription at Chetiyagiri, Mihintale, supports Mahavamsa information on Chetiyagiri. Kukurumahan damana pillar inscription confirms the Mahavamsa account that the commander-in-chief of Kassapa IV built a hospital and nunnery on the high street of the inner city of Anuradhapura.

Important historical events are supported by inscriptions. Situlpahuwa cave inscription refers to Nandimitta, one of the ten commanders in Dutugemunu's army. Vala-ellu-goda inscription (near Dombagahavela, Badulla district) refers to Pussadeva. Inscriptions of the Senapati of Dutugemunu are found in places far removed from each other.

Political information

Inscriptions also provide fresh political information. It is from inscriptions that we know that Vasabha ruled over the whole island. His inscriptions were found in the North at Vallipuram, South at Sandagiri temple, (Tissamaharama), West at Perumyankulam, (Anuradhapura), East at Casimottei (Batticaloa) as well as Madawala, Andarawewa and Aluth Halmillewa. After Vasabha, his three sons divided up the kingdom and ruled amicably. This is indicated in Habessa and Ledorugala inscriptions. Gajabahu I thereafter united the three kingdoms. The 14 inscriptions of Gajabahu are scattered all over the island, including Batticaloa and Vavuniya. Mahavamsa does not say anything about any of this.

Mahavamsa does not give the succession from Dappula III (923- 924). From Panduvasnuwara inscription, Bandara Ratmale inscription, Kaludiya Pokuna slab inscription and Ramba Vihara inscription Ranwelle was able to compile a table which showed systematic succession within one royal group from Sena II to Kassapa VI.

Information on the political history of Ruhuna between 877 and 923 AD are provided in the Kirinda, Bolana and Mayilagastota inscriptions of Apa Mihindu. Tamgoda inscription helps revise the chronology of the kings from 6th to 10th Century.

Kusalanakanda inscription (Batticaloa district) gives information on the genealogy of Mahanaga, Gotabhaya and Kavantissa.

Inscriptions also amplify the information given in the Mahavamsa. Kottadamuhel inscription in Hambantota district tells us that Viharamaha Devi's name was Savera and that she entered a cloister later in life. Mulllikulam inscription confirms this information and refers to her as 'Rajamata', the king's mother. She was involved in the administration of the state, she had territory under her. The date of the Pandyan invasion by Sena II is supplied in the inscription of Kassapa V.

Pillar inscription

Inscriptions record success in war. Vessagiri slab inscription confirms that Tamil king Parantaka II invaded Sri Lanka and was defeated by the army of Mahinda IV. Iripinniya Wewa inscription, Nagama pillar inscription and Kaludiya Pokuna inscription confirm the exploits of Senapati Kuttaka, who was sent by Sena II (853-887) together with a Sinhala Army, to meddle in the Tamil succession. Devanagala rock inscription records a grant from Parakrama Bahu I to Kit Nuvaragal for his part in the successful expedition against Burma. Usgollava pillar slab inscription makes it possible to determine the probable date of the Pandya invasion in the time of Sena I.

The historical chronicles do not provide much information on how the island was administered. Inscriptions fill this gap. There are edicts issued by the king, known as 'vavastha' edicts. Vessagiriya edict shows that Mahinda IV provided a definite supply of water from Tissa tank for the land adjoining Kasubgiri monastery.

The edict was issued because of disputes among the monks in Kasubgiri. Kondavattam inscription of Dappula V lays down rules for the administration of the village at this site.

The immunity grant pillars show the administration at work. They give the lineage of the reining king, the regnal year, a list of names of the officials who were prohibited from entering and a list of officials who were assembled to grant the immunities.

Immunities were granted at a ceremony. The immunities were first entered in a register, and the order declared before an assembly. It was presented as a decision of the King's Council.

Inscriptions provide information on the royal administration. The designations of the officials in Nissanka Malla's council are inscribed on pillars. Kapuru vadu oya inscription refers to the retinue of ministers.

The governors were known as Pasladdan. Dakkinadesa was ruled by the heir apparent. Many edicts of the Mahapa (heir apparent) were found. Ruhuna was administered by a prince designated as 'apa 'or 'adipada'.

The Adipada who administered Ruhuna during the reign of Dappula II was a prince named Kittaggabodhi. He issued the Devinuvara pillar inscription. Inscriptions show that the terms Yuvaraja, Uparaja, Mahapa and Mahadipada mean the same thing.

Administrative units

Inscriptions of the 9th Century have yielded about 170 official designations which were not known before. Some of them are unfamiliar and need interpretation. Rajamaligava pillar inscription of Mahinda V indicates that there were two classes of state officials, Vel Vassam and Vel Kamiyan.

Several different territorial and administrative units such as Danaviya, Pasa, Kuliya, Bima, Rata, Dasagama, Pasgama and Desa are listed in the inscriptions of the 9th and 10th Century. Padaviya, Hurulu Palata and Vavuniya belonged to the Uturupasa. Panduva Nuvara and Tambutta in Kurunegala district were in Dakunupasa.

Secondary information is also available from inscriptions. The inscription of Udaya II confirms that Sena II named his younger brother as Mahadipada. Bilibava inscription gives the name of the son whom Kassapa V had elevated to Senapati. The name of the commander, Viduraguna Nimala, who subdued the rebellion against Udaya II, is given in three inscriptions dated to Kassapa IV and in the inscription of Apa Mihindu who accompanied the army commander.