Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
97
King Kassapa II
Kingdom of Anuradhapura
650 AC - 659 AC

From the battle between Dāṭhōpatiśśa and King Aggabodhi III, we now know that the defeated Aggabodhi III fled to Ruhuna, where he died. However, Dāṭhōpatiśśa did not get the opportunity to consolidate his power. Prince Kaśyapa, the brother of King Aggabodhi III, came to the battlefield and, after Dāṭhōpatiśśa fled to India, ascended the throne. He governed without wearing the coronation robe. This king, who appears under that name, is referred to by historians as the second Kaśyapa.

Not much time passed. Dāṭhōpatiśśa returned from India with a military force and came again to fight, putting his life at risk. This removed a significant obstacle for King Kaśyapa. According to the Mahāvamsa, this king was accused of being the "Kaśyapa who broke the Thuparama." During his tenure as the young king, he destroyed the Thuparama and looted its possessions. In addition, he also destroyed the southern dagaba and seized its wealth.

Because of this, it is evident that the disgraced name given to him previously among the people had stuck. After ascending the throne, he became righteous. As an act of atonement, he built many Vihāras and maintained gardens and coconut groves. Villagers were employed to perform processions to the three Mahāstupas at Thuparama. He expanded the Mahāpāli Danhalaya.

The king also extended patronage to the Dharma monks living at Nāgasaala, allowing them to give Dharma sermons. Monks living at Katakandara were tasked with collecting and organizing the Tipitaka. His attention and consideration for those who sought guidance were a hallmark of his generosity.

According to later records, governance continued under this king’s descendants until the Chola invasion of Lanka. The Mahāvamsa states that King Kaśyapa had many children, with the eldest being a prince named Māṇa. However, all of them were still very young. During this time, the king suffered from a serious illness.

At this point, the administration of Rohana was handled by the father of Prince Māṇa, who was a servant of King Kaśyapa. Knowing that he could not survive much longer, the king summoned Prince Māṇa and entrusted the kingdom to him, along with his children, as there was no alternative solution. Subsequently, the king died. His reign lasted nine years.

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