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The Principality of Ruhuna, also referred to as the Kingdom of Ruhuna, is a region of present-day Southern and Eastern
The Principality of Ruhuna, also referred to as the Kingdom of Ruhuna, is a region of present-day Southern and Eastern Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
. It was the center of a flourishing civilisation and the cultural and economic centres of ancient Sri Lanka. Magama, Tissamaharama and Mahanagakula (now called as Ambalantota) were established here.
The kingdom of Ruhuna was an important state in Sinhalese history as it was known for several rebellions against the superior states in Rajarata. The principality was defeated with its last de-facto Queen Sugala been captured and executed by the invading army of Parakramabahu I. Following its annexing by Parakramabahu, the rebellions that arose were suppressed.
History
Founding
Ruhuna was founded around 200 BC by Prince Mahanaga, brother toDevanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura
Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa, was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 247 BC to 207 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Maurya ...
, after a personal dispute. This region played a vital role in building the nation as well in the establishment of Buddhist culture.
Significance
The kings of Anuradhapura and the Chola kingdom during the reign over a majority of the country, generally fought against the forces of Ruhuna. Notable Ruhunan militants include: Vijayabahu I, whose armies defeated several Chola generals; and Manabharana II, whose army once conquered Polonnaruwa. The resistances that arose from Ruhuna were generally victorious against the Rajarata kingdom.Conquest
After Parakramabahu I conquered the kingdom of Rajarata, defeating its kingGajabahu II
Gajabahu II was king of Rajarata from 1131 until 1153, following his father Vikramabahu I. He was defeated and succeeded by Parakramabahu I.
See also
* Mahavamsa
* List of monarchs of Sri Lanka
* History of Sri Lanka
The history of Sri Lan ...
, he dispatched a force to Ruhuna. The people and army of Ruhuna generally opposed this and established a force against the invaders. While the Ruhunans were able to defeat a prominent general of Parakramabahu's army named Rakkha, they were defeated and their queen was executed.
Area
The area identified with Ruhuna in ancient times is mainly the Southern Province, a large part of theUva Province
Uva Province ( si, ඌව පළාත, Uva Paḷāta, ta, ஊவா மாகாணம், Uvā Mākāṇam) is Sri Lanka's second least populated province, with 1,259,880 people, created in 1896. It consists of two districts: Badulla and Mon ...
and small parts of Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces.
Princes of Ruhuna
See also
*Provinces of Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, provinces ( si, පළාත, translit=Paḷāta; ta, மாகாணம், translit=Mākāṇam) are the first level administrative division. They were first established by the British rulers of Ceylon in 1833. Over the next ...
* History of Sri Lanka
* University of Ruhuna
References
{{Coord missing, Sri Lanka History of Southern Province, Sri Lanka History of Uva Province History of Sabaragamuwa Province History of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka Sinhalese royalty Anuradhapura period Polonnaruwa period Former countries in South Asia