Queen Anula - Unknown | Anuradhapura - (BC 47 - BC 42) - Sri Lankan History - Kings - Governors - Prisidents

Queen Anula

Unknown | Anuradhapura - (BC 47 - BC 42)

Queen Anulā, having acquired power within the royal palace, enthroned any man who pleased her and then, once her desires were satisfied, had them put to death. In this manner, she fell in love with a Tamil named Vatuka, poisoned King Siva, and placed Vatuka upon the throne. The Mahāvaṃsa refers to Vatuka as a Tamil craftsman (blacksmith) of the city of Vatuka, while the Dīpavaṃsa describes him as a foreigner. Following him, Anulā successively enthroned Darubhatika Tissa and the royal chaplain Niliya, poisoning each of them in turn. Finally, she ascended the throne herself. According to the chronicles, Vatuka reigned for one year and two months, Darubhatika Tissa for one year, and Niliya for six months. Another person named Vasuki also appears in the Pūjāvaliya and related texts, and all of these rulers together reigned for a total of three years and eleven months. The chronicles further note that Darubhatika Tissa constructed a pond in the Mahāmeghavana (Mahāmevna) Park, and that the work was completed with unusual speed. The Mahāvaṃsa Ṭīkā (commentary) states that this pond was built near the Pañcamba Maluwa. Perhaps Darubhatika Tissa hurried to complete the work because he feared that, like the previous consorts of Anulā, he too might soon meet his death. Those who preceded him had each witnessed the fate of Anulā’s earlier lovers, and so, like a man who eats honey while knowing the bee is near, they continued to fulfill the queen’s desires, leaving behind no other record of notable deeds. From the accounts that survive, it is evident that these individuals were all members of the royal household staff or officials attached to the palace. Though Darubhatika Tissa is described as a woodworker (carpenter) and Vatuka as a smith, they likely held positions of higher rank within the royal establishment. An inscription at Ritigala mentions a monk named Darabhatika, suggesting that this was originally a personal name. Other inscriptions refer to palace officials with titles such as Balattha and Jeththadovārika (chief gatekeeper). The latter was a significant post closely connected to the royal palace, known in inscriptions as Mahadorathana. This confirms that Anulā’s lovers were men who already held important offices in the royal court. <hr data-end="2619" data-start="2616" /> <h3 data-end="2650" data-start="2621"> Anulā’s Rule and Downfall</h3> After killing Niliya, Anulā took the throne herself, intending to rule with the support of thirty-two powerful men. However, she was able to enjoy her sovereignty for only about four months. The name Anulā Devī, once borne by the pious queen of Prince Mahānāga, who played a leading role in establishing the Buddhist Order of Nuns (Bhikkhunī Sāsana) in Sri Lanka, was now stained by the impious and immoral deeds of this later Queen Anulā, consort of King Choranāga. Her corrupt and scandalous conduct aroused disgust among the people. Yet, despite her infamous life, she holds the distinction of being the first woman in Sri Lankan history to ascend the throne, even if only for a few days. Because of her depraved character, the chroniclers of old were unwilling even to recognize her as a queen, referring to her instead merely as “a woman named Anulā.” The chronicles suggest that the general public took little interest in the intrigues of the royal palace, and there is no indication that the frequent changes within the inner court provoked any widespread unrest or rebellion. Nor is there evidence of any significant political transformation in the country as a result of the series of poisonings and short-lived reigns that took place over nearly four years. After the internal dissensions that began during the final years of King Mahāsīla Mahātissa’s reign—following King Vaṭṭagāmini Abhaya—peace was finally restored. With the death of Queen Anulā, there commenced a long and stable period of tranquility in Sri Lanka that lasted for about half a century.