Pandukabhaya was an extremely important and great king who ruled Sri Lanka from 437 BCE to 367 BCE. He is considered the first native ruler to unite the Aryan and Yakkha tribes on the island. He developed Anuradhapura as the capital, making it the central hub for future kingdoms.
Debates on Ancestry
There are three main theories regarding King Pandukabhaya’s ancestry:
- According to the Mahavamsa: The most widely accepted view, supported by primary sources, is that both his parents were of Aryan descent. His mother was Princess Unmada Chitra, and his father was Prince Dighagamini.
- View of Kumaratunga Munidasa: Scholar and linguist Kumaratunga Munidasa states that Pandukabhaya’s father was Chitraraja. However, this view is not accepted as it is not based on historical evidence. It is considered to be part of a historical reconstruction process of the Durava caste.
- View of Non-Aryan Descent: The third view is that Pandukabhaya had no connection with Aryans and was a completely indigenous hero. This is also considered a “speculation” without primary sources or evidence and does not have high acceptance among historians and archaeologists.
The Mahavamsa Narrative
According to the Mahavamsa, the story of King Pandukabhaya is filled with thrilling events.
Early Life and Dangers
King Panduvasudeva and Queen Bhaddakachchana had ten sons and one daughter. Soothsayers predicted that the son of their youngest daughter, Princess Chitra, would eventually kill his uncles and seize the kingship. Therefore, her brothers decided to kill Princess Chitra, but Prince Abhaya, the eldest son, prevented it. She was then kept under strict guard with a maid in a secluded house. Due to her enchanting beauty, which could drive onlookers mad, she was also known as “Unmada Chitra” (Chitra the Enchantress).
Upon hearing that Princess Bhaddakachchana had arrived in Lanka, her six brothers (Rama, Uruvela, Anuradha, Vijitha, Dighayu, Rohana) also came to the island and established settlements in various regions. Prince Dighagamini, the son of Prince Dighayu, heard of Princess Unmada Chitra’s beauty and secretly went to Upatissa village, where he began a clandestine love affair with her.
As a result of this affair, Princess Chitra became pregnant. When the royal family learned of this, they decided to kill the child if it was a son, and Prince Dighagamini was married to Princess Chitra. As the time for birth approached, another pregnant woman was kept near Princess Chitra, and when Princess Chitra gave birth to a son, he was swapped with the daughter born to the other woman. The son thus born was named “Pandukabhaya.” The uncles were pleased, believing Chitra had given birth to a daughter. Prince Pandukabhaya was placed in a casket and sent to a village called Doramadala. Although his uncles, having learned of the prince’s existence, attempted to kill him several times, Prince Pandukabhaya, blessed with a powerful destiny, survived all dangers.
Education and Military Organization
At the age of sixteen, Prince Pandukabhaya was sent to the Brahmin Pandula, who resided in the southern village of Pandula, to study various arts and sciences. The Brahmin Pandula prophesied that the prince would become king and rule for seventy years, and he taught him knowledge and skills.
Prince Pandukabhaya and Chandana, the son of Brahmin Pandula, quickly completed their studies and departed from Pandula village with a retinue of five hundred, arriving at Kasagala. Gradually increasing his retinue, he had twelve hundred followers when he reached the territory of Prince Girikanda Siva. The prince then crossed the river and went to Dolugala, where he resided for four years. Hearing of this, his uncles came to war, setting up camps at Dumarakgala and fighting. Prince Pandukabhaya drove his uncles across the river and resided in their camp for two years.
Alliance with the Yakkini Chetiya
While residing at Dumarakgala, Prince Pandukabhaya saw the Yakkini named Chetiya wandering by Thimbirasangana Lake in the form of a mare. She was a captivating mare with a white body and a golden hue. When the prince tried to capture her, she became frightened and ran around the lake. As the prince raised his sword, preparing to kill her, she begged for her life, promising to help him gain the kingship. Afterwards, they resided at Dumarakgala for four years, and then moved to Ritigala, where they awaited the opportune time for war for seven years.
The Battle for Kingship and Victory
Except for two, eight of his uncles prepared for war. They set up camps at Kudanuvura near Ritigala and sent a general from Sivuragasa to besiege Ritigala. Prince Pandukabhaya consulted with the Yakkini Chetiya, and she, mounted as a Yakkha mare, entered the battle with her army against the uncles. In this war, Prince Pandukabhaya killed all enemy forces and the eight uncles, achieving a magnificent victory.
Development of Anuradhapura and Long Reign
After winning the war, Prince Pandukabhaya ascended to kingship. He ruled Lanka for seventy years, and during this long reign, he took extensive steps to develop Anuradhapura as the capital. He also worked to unite the Aryan and Yakkha tribes to build a peaceful society.