පොළොන්නරු යුගය

{{{official_name}}}
Statue at Gal Vihariya
Coordinates: 7°56′0″N 81°0′0″E
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa	Before 1070 CE
Government
- Mayor
Area
- City
- Land
- Water
Population (2001)
- City	359,000
- Density
Time zone	Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa*
යුනෙස්කෝ ලෝක උරුම අඩවිය
රට	ශ්‍රී ලංකාව
වර්ගය	Cultural
වර්ගීකරණය	i, iii, vi
යොමුව	201
කලාපය†	Asia-Pacific
ලේඛනගත ඉතිහාසය
ලේඛනගත වූ වර්ශය	1982  (6th Session)
* ලෝක උරුම අඩවි නාමාවලියෙහි ඇති පරිදි. † යුනෙස්කෝවට අනුව වර්ගීකරනය වී ඇති ආකාරයට.

The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

History

While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real Polonnaruwa Hero of the history books is actually his grandson, Parakramabahu I. The city Polonnaruwa was also called as Jananathamandalam during the short Chola reign. It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the patronage of the King, who was adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed during Parakramabahu's reign, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the east of the country. The greatest of these systems, of course is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama, a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. It is of such a width that it is impossible to stand upon one shore and view the other side, and it encircles the main city like a ribbon, being both a defensive border against intruders and the lifeline of the people in times of peace. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was completely self-sufficient during King Parakramabahu's reign.

However, with the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all other monarchs of Polonnaruwa, were slightly weak-willed and rather prone to picking fights within their own court. They also went on to form more intimiate matrimonial alliances with stronger South Indian Kingdoms, until these matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage and gave rise to the Kalinga invasion by King Magha in 1214 and the eventual passing of power into the hands of a Pandyan King following the Arya Chakrawarthi invasion of Sri Lanka in 1284. The capital was then shifted to Dambadeniya.

Present Situation

Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to filmed scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in 1982. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Near the ancient city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossy shops, and places to fulfill day to day needs. There are government institutions in a newly built area called “new town,” about 6km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, Polonnaruwa Royal Central College is situated at new town.

Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province. But it is known as one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The greeny environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parakrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200 A.C.), attractive tourist hotels and most importantly nice people with hospitality, always attracted local and foreign tourists. One recent scientific observation is that of its climate changes. Historically Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chillyness has been increased noticeably. Although this is surprising to some people, it is more enjoyable for tourists. But sometimes paddy field farmers suffers when there is too much rain.

Kings and Queens of Polonnaruwa (1055–1236)

Portrait	Name	Birth	Death	King From	King Until	Relationship with Predecessor(s)
	Vijayabâhu I	-	-	1055	1110	*Grandson of Vikrama Bahu
	Jayabâhu I	-	-	1110	1111	*Brother of Vijaya Bahu I *Prime Minister of Vijaya Bahu
	Vikramabâhu I	-	1131/32	1111	1132	*Son of Vijaya Bahu from a princess of Kalinga
	Gajabâhu II	-	-	1131	1153	*Son of Vikramabâhu I
	Parâkramabâhu I 'the Great'	1123	1186	1153	1186	*Grandson of Vijaya Bahu I *Prince of Royal Blood *Pandyan descent *Son of Manabharana and Vijaya Bahu’s
	Vijayabâhu II	-	-	1186	1187	*Parakrama Bahu’s nephew (sisters son)
	Mahinda VI	-	-	1187	1187	*A Kalinga

Kalinga monarchs (1187–1212)

Portrait	Name	Birth	Death	King From	King Until	Relationship with Predecessor(s)
	Nissanka Malla	-	-	1187	1196	*A Kalinga Prince *Sub-king of Vijaya Bahu II
	Vira Bahu I	-	-	1196	1196	*Son of Nissanka Malla
	Vikramabâhu II	-	-	1196	1196	*Younger brother of Nissanka Malla
	Chodaganga	-	-	1196	1197	*Nephew of Nissanka Malla
	Queen Lilavati	-	-	1197	1200	*Widow of King Parakrama Bahu I
	Sahassamalla	-	-	1200	1202	*King Nissanka Malla’s younger brother
	Queen Kalyanavati	-	-	1202	1208	*Queen of late King Nissanka Malla
	Dharmashoka	-	-	1208	1209	*Infant King 3 months old was put to death by Anikanga
	Anikanga Mahadipada	-	-	1209	1209	*Governor of Maya Rata
	Queen Lilavati (restored)	-	-	1209	1210	*Widow of King Parakrama Bahu I
	Lokissara	-	-	1210	1211
	Queen Lilavati (restored)	-	-	1211	1212	*Widow of King Parakrama Bahu I

Pandya monarchs (1212–1215)

Portrait	Name	Birth	Death	King From	King Until	Relationship with Predecessor(s)
	Parakrama Pandya	-	-	1212	1215	*South Indian King (Pandyan)

See also

• Anuradhapura
• World Heritage List
• Sigiriya
• Mahawamsa
• Gal Vihare
• Place names in Sri Lanka

Maps

• Detailed map of Polonnaruwa and Sri Lanka

External links

• Discover Sri Lanka - More information & images about Polonnaruwa
• Discover Sri Lanka - Historical background of Polonnaruwa
• Discover Sri Lanka - Old City of Polonnaruwa

විකිමීඩියා කොමන්ස් සතුව පහත මෙයට අදාල මාධ්‍ය ඇත:

Polanaruwa

• The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa
• Polonnaruwa
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
• Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Sri Lanka
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - World Heritage
• "Discovering Polonnaruwa" - an article in The Hindu
• Galvihara - a unique display of rock art
• Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board
• A list of traditional names of cities in Sri Lanka
• Places of interest in polonnaruwa

References

• Balasooriya, Jayasinghe (2004). The Glory of Ancient Polonnaruva. Sooriya Printers, Polonnaruva. ISBN 955-8158-01-1 (Archeological ruins)

සැකිල්ල:Sri Lankan cities සැකිල්ල:World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka