King Sena I - House of Lambakarna II | Anuradhapura - (833 - 853) - Sri Lankan History - Kings - Governors - Prisidents

King Sena I

House of Lambakarna II | Anuradhapura - (833 - 853)

After the short reign of King Namvana Aggabodhi, the throne was ascended by Sena Kumara. He was also a son of the second Dappula king. Being the first to appear under this name, this king is referred to as the first Sena. His coronation name was Silamegha. According to Sinhala manuscripts, this king is referred to as Silamegha, while in inscriptions it is mentioned as Selameva, which is the coronation name of King Sena. His chief minister was Sangha. This king had four ministers named Bhadra, Uttara, Vajira, and Rakkhasa. The Mahavamsa describes him as a very wealthy ruler. Immediately upon becoming king, his first action was to fight his brother and kill many men, including Prince Mahinda, who had fled to Dambadiva. Through this, he avoided every possible obstacle. It is evident from this that the military service system that existed among ancient kings had developed further. During the reign of King Sena, he faced multiple conflicts. The king had three brothers named Mihindu, Kasup, and Udaya. The eldest, Mihindu Kumara, was appointed as the crown prince. During this time, an internal problem arose. The daughter of the king’s queen grew up under the protection of the king. Her name was Nala. The king’s brother, Udaya Kumara, was secretly involved with her. While the king was away on some duty to a coastal region, Udaya Kumara secretly took his niece and fled to Polonnaruwa. When the king learned of this, he acted wisely, sending Prince Mahinda to bring them both, and entrusted the princess to him. After that, they, along with others, were safeguarded, according to the chronicle. The greatest challenge faced by the first Sena king was the Pandya invasion. At this time, it is not inappropriate to briefly examine the political situation in South India. During this period, three empires in South India were engaged in power struggles. On one side were the Chalukyas, on another the Pallavas, and on the other the Pandyas, each trying to expand their empires. During the reign of Varagun Maharaja, also known as Nedun Jadaiyan (765–815), the Pandya king’s invasion spread Pandya control to the districts of Thanjavur, Salem, and Coimbatore. His successor, his son Sri Mara Sri Vallabha (815–862), further expanded Pandya influence southwards. This period generally coincides with the reign of the first Sena king in Lanka. As a consequence of this event, Sri Mara Sri Vallabha was eager to extend his control across the sea to Lanka. Accordingly, the northern region of Lanka was struck. By this time, internal divisions had arisen within the Sinhalese army. The exact nature of the dispute is unclear; it might have been a struggle over positions. Although the king sent an army north, due to these internal divisions, they could not face the Pandya army. Even though Dravidians who had come to various places in Lanka were occasionally taken along by the princes, the invader became stronger with their support. They destroyed northern villages and established a camp at a place called Mahathalitha. This appears to have been a village in the vicinity of Medawachchiya. It may correspond to Mataleegama mentioned in a Brahmi inscription at the nearby Handagala Vihara. Strengthened by establishing the camp and uniting the Dravidians, the Pandya ruler advanced to battle. The Sinhalese army, lacking leadership, was weak and fled. The Pandya army destroyed villages and marched toward Anuradhapura. Prince Mihindu, who had gone out to the battlefield, chose to end his life rather than fall into enemy hands. Kashyapa Kumara, who was at Abhayagiri Vihara, witnessed all this. He fled to Kondivata, hoping to regroup, but was later killed in another battle near Polonnaruwa. The Pandya army was led by Sri Mara Sri Vallabha himself. The Sinhalese army had no effective leadership; they were cowardly and could not face the enemy, so they fled. The city was captured. The head of Crown Prince Mihindu was taken to the Pandya king and executed according to local custom. The country’s prosperity and peaceful conditions had lasted long, and royal wealth had grown. Temples and monasteries were adorned with various valuable offerings by devotees. King Padi looted all these. Even the golden statue kept in the Ratnaprasada, as well as two jewels set in stone statues, were taken, and the city was turned into a den of thieves, according to the Mahavamsa. At this time, King Sena fled, taking valuables and going towards Malaya (the hill region). He remained hidden at Deganmuwudora, the confluence of the Mahaweli and Amban rivers. If the enemy advanced further, he could escape to Rohana or the highlands of Malaya, which is why he stayed there. Guards were posted ahead for protection. It appears that the Pandya king sent envoys to indicate willingness to ally with the Sinhalese king. They were accepted; King Sena sent two envoys and various gifts to the Pandya king. Possibly, this was a form of negotiation for restoring the city. Nevertheless, the Pandya king entrusted the city to Sena’s envoys and departed the same day, taking with him the essential wealth of the country. As mentioned in the earlier section, news reported that either the second Dappula king or Namvana Aggabodhi had taken the Jaya Bera and Mini Paa to Dambadiva. This is clarified as part of the same event. After everything ended, the Sinhalese ruler returned to the city and arranged for the restoration of the country. There is no evidence that Sri Mara Sri Vallabha intended to capture the country; he only desired to seize valuables. Perhaps the Pandya king did plan this. During the expansion of the Pandya empire, there were no strong Pallavas to resist him, and he may have thought they would invade his kingdom. After securing the valuables, he returned. He also had to face a strong combined force organized by the Pallavas. In addition to the destruction by the Pandya invasion, King Sena faced other serious losses. One was the death of his brothers, Mahinda and Kashyapa, in battle. Another was the seizure of rare and revered items, Jaya Bera and Mini Paa, taken by the enemy. Despite these setbacks, Sena’s surviving brother, Udaya Kumara, was given the southern region. Unfortunately, he died shortly afterward. Kashyapa Kumara, who went to face the Pandyas, had four sons. The eldest, Sena Kumara, received the southern region along with the title Mahadipadha. Among the second Dappula king’s sons, only Kashyapa Kumara had suitable heirs to preserve the kingdom. Though he never ascended the throne, his sons maintained the dynastic lineage. Next, King Sena became involved in affairs in Rohana, where his relatives resided. At this time, Rohana was ruled by Kittaggha Bodhi Kumara, the son of Deva, the brother of the second Dappula king, who had placed his daughter Sarana in his care. He had four sons: Mahinda, Kashyapa, Sena, and Udaya, and three daughters. After the death of King Kithu Aggabho, his sister and Mahinda Kumara took control of Rohana. Angered, the remaining brothers, along with three sisters, approached King Sena as before. Accordingly, Sena had to face the crisis in Rohana. Soon, an army was prepared, and Kashyapa Kumara was sent by the king to Rohana. There, he killed the princess who had killed his brother and established control over Rohana. Later, he summoned his two other brothers and divided the country among them, living happily, according to the Mahavamsa. The division and governance of Rohana had not been mentioned in earlier chronicles. Initially, it was under the king, sub-king, or crown prince. Officers under him administered various parts of Rohana, as evidenced by inscriptions. However, they lacked independent authority. Initially, Rohana was divided into two regions: Magama and Deegawapiya. Though Seru Soma-Lona administered parts initially, they were later united with Magama under King Kawantissa. After King Dutugemunu united the country, Rohana was also under Anuradhapura. At times, there was some independence, but generally, it was subordinate to the king. The situation mentioned above indicates that the regional divisions in Rohana existed even before the Polonnaruwa period but were not recorded in chronicles. Evidence for this exists in inscriptions. The eastern part of Rohana, called Pajinikara (eastern sea region), was referred to as Atthasasa (eight thousand region) in inscriptions during the Polonnaruwa period. Inscriptions from Habessa and Leldorugala clarify the administration of Rohana after King Vasabha. Thus, it is clear that dividing and administering Rohana predates King Sena, although it was under the king. Among King Kithu Aggabho Kumara’s children, the eldest daughter Sangha was given the queenly title and provisions and was placed under the care of Sena Kumara, son of the deceased Kashyapa Adipada. Prince Mihindu (also a son of Kashyapa Kumara) was given two daughters, Tissa and Kitti, under his protection. In this manner, King Sena organized the royal family to ensure dynastic continuity and fostered the development of the Buddhist Sasana. The Mahavamsa records that the first Sena king prayed for Buddhahood. This likely aligns with Mahayana beliefs. His charitable and religious works were extensive. He built the Veerankuraramaya at Abhayagiri and commissioned a golden statue at Jetavana Vihara. During this period, special attention was given to Pansukula monks among the public. Among the king’s monastic constructions, a monastery for Pansukula monks at Arittapabbata was particularly significant. The Mahavamsa implies that the monastery was completed with grandeur. This site, at present known as Ritigala, was considered the highest hill in the Nuwara region, and the monastery there was large and impressive. The stairways from base to summit, twin buildings on either side, and large meditation huts at the summit are remarkable constructions. All were built with precisely cut black stone walls. Special features of ancient road construction are visible here. The pond and stone bridge at the site also hold significance. The prominence of this monastery is reflected in the honorific title “Ritigala Aramkāru” mentioned in the Kivulekada inscription. Three other inscriptions from his reign are known. One was found at Usgollewa in the Anuradhapura region. It states that in the fifth year of King Abha Selameva (1 Sena), on the full moon day of Vesak, the crown prince Mahinda Mahadhipada (who died during the Pandya invasion) conducted a ceremony at the Duhadara Maha Vihara with the king’s approval. Prince Mihindu (son of Kashyapa Kumara) was given protection over two other daughters, Tissa and Kitti. In this manner, King Sena safeguarded the royal lineage and supported the development of Buddhism. The Mahavamsa reiterates that the first Sena king prayed for Buddhahood, likely following Mahayana practices. His pious deeds included building the Veerankuraramaya at Abhayagiri and installing a golden statue at Jetavana Vihara. During this period, special attention was given to Pansukula monks, who were highly regarded by the public. Among the king’s monastic projects, the Arittapabbata monastery for Pansukula monks was of notable importance. The monastery was completed magnificently, according to the Mahavamsa. Presently known as Ritigala, it is the highest hill in the Nuwara region. The monastery is large and impressive. The stairway from base to summit, twin buildings on either side, and large meditation huts at the summit are remarkable. All were constructed using precisely cut black stone. Unique features of ancient road construction are visible here. The pond and stone bridge are also significant. The prominence of this monastery is reflected in the honorific title “Ritigala Aramkāru” mentioned in the Kivulekada inscription. Three more inscriptions from this king’s reign have been read. One, from Usgollewa in Anuradhapura, mentions that in the fifth year of King Abha Selameva (1 Sena), on the full moon day of Vesak, the crown prince Mahinda Mahadhipada (who died during the Pandya invasion) conducted a ceremony at the Duhadara Maha Vihara with the king’s approval. Another brief inscription was found at Ela Wewa in the same region, mentioning the year of the king’s coronation. The third inscription was found around the Polonnaruwa fortress and mentions a grant in the twelfth year of the king’s reign, belonging to Muhundeni village. The second and third inscriptions are partially damaged. Some events of King Sena’s reign are not reported in the Mahavamsa but appear in the Nikaya Samgraha, and it is appropriate to present them as in the text. “The king, known as Sen in the Matuwala region, was a righteous ruler. He came from Dambadiwa to establish the Aram called Veerankura. He gave fifteen gold bars kept in the royal palace to the official named Sen, praising his own virtue. Hearing of this, the king sent men to punish those who had committed injustice and disseminated righteous teachings, removing immoral acts from society.” According to this, the author of Nikaya Samgraha views King Sena as a wise and just ruler. Veerankura Aram was built at Abhayagiri by the first Sena king. The Vajiriya teachings indicate Mahayana influence, according to Nikaya Samgraha. Not only King Sena, but also his chief minister Sangha, and ministers Bhadra, Uttara, Vajira, and Rakkhasa built many monasteries and promoted Buddhist work. Considering the restoration of Anuradhapura after the Pandya invasion and the religious efforts mentioned above, it is clear that the period saw economic development and peace. Both the king and his ministers actively engaged in religious activities alongside the people. This is corroborated by the inscriptions at Usgollewa, Ela Wewa, Polonnaruwa, and Kivulekada. The first Sena king ruled Polonnaruwa for twenty years.