Principality of Ruhuna

Three states of the ancient Sinhalese kingdom

The Principality of Ruhuna (Sinhala: රුහුණ, [ruɦuɳə]), also referred to as the Kingdom of Ruhuna, is a region of present-day Southern and Eastern Sri Lanka. 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.^[1][2]

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.

Name

Following the arrival of Princess Buddhakachchana, six of her brothers came to Sri Lanka and settled in different parts of the island. One of the brothers, Rohana, settled in the area between Kumbukkan Oya and Deeghawapi. His settlement was named Rohana.^[3][4]

History

Founding

According to the Pali chronicles, Ruhuna was founded around 200 BC by Prince Mahanaga, brother to Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, after a personal dispute. This region played a vital role in building the nation as well in the establishment of Buddhist culture.^[5]

Significance

See also: Sinhalese Resistance

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.^[6]

Conquest

After Parakramabahu I conquered the kingdom of Rajarata, defeating its king Gajabahu II, 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.^[7]

Area

The area identified with Ruhuna in ancient times is mainly the Southern Province, a large part of the Uva Province and small parts of Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces.^[5]

Princes of Ruhuna

Portrait	Name	Birth	Death	King from	King until	Relationship with predecessor(s)
	Mahanaga	-	-	?	?	Younger brother of Devanampiya Tissa
	Yatala Tissa	-	-	?	?	Son of Mahanaga
	Gothabhaya	-	-	?	205 BC	Son of Yatala Tissa
	Kavan Tissa	-	-	205 BC	161 BC	Son of Gothabhaya
	Vikramabahu (aka Kassapa VI before coronation)	-	-	1029	1041	Son Mahinda V
	Kirthi (Minister)	-	-	1041	1049	A nobleman of Ruhuna
	Mahalana Kirthi	-	-	1049	1052	A chief
	Vikkama Pandya	-	-	1052	1053	A Sinhala prince of Pandya heritage
	Jagatipala	-	-	1053	1057	A native of Ayodhya in North India
	Pârakkama Pandya	-	-	1057	1059
	Lokeshwara (Minister)	-	-	1059	?	An inhabitant of Ruhuna
	Kirti	-	-	1059	?	Descendant of Mahinda V

See also

• Provinces of Sri Lanka
• History of Sri Lanka
• University of Ruhuna

References

1. "South Asia-China Dialogue: Proceedings of the Joint Seminar of South Asian and Chinese Scholars, Beijing, 9-16 June 1980". Marga Institute. 1983. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
2. Ring, Trudy (1996). Asia and Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9781136639791.
3. "Chapter 10- The Consecrating of Pandukabaya". Mahawamsa-The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka.
4. "Maagama Kingdom & Kings by Ellawala Medhananda Thero (Sinhala)".
5. Sīnigama Mahānāma, Maṅgalasiri (1996). Ruhuṇu puda bima. Sri Lanka: Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka). ISBN 955-923-700-4.
6. Mendis, G. C. (1996). The Early History of Ceylon. Asian Education Services.
7. "Mahavamsa - Queen Sugala". Retrieved 2021-08-03.