Kashyapa I of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
Kashyapa I, also known as Kassapa I, was a king of Sri Lanka
, who ruled the country from 473
to 495
CE
. He was the second king of the royal Moriyan dynasty of Sri Lanka. Kashyapa is credited with the construction of the Sigiriya citadel and the surrounding city. He acquired the throne by overthrowing his father, King Dhatusena, and usurping his brother and rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, in a palace coup. He imprisoned and later executed his father. Kashyapa was also known as Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa (Kashyapa the Patricide), after this incident. He was later defeated by Moggallana, who had fled to South India
and returned with an army to regain the throne. Kashyapa was killed in the battle that ensued.
. Moggallana was the son of the royal consort and the rightful heir to the throne, while Kassapa was born to a non-royal concubine. However, Kashyapa sought to acquire the throne by usurping Moggallana. He was assisted by the general of the king’s army
, Migara, who sought vengeance for a disagreement between him and the king. Assisted and encouraged by Migara, Kashyapa carried out a palace coup and overthrew Dhatusena.
Dhatusena was imprisoned, and Kashyapa became the king of the country in 473, as the second king in the Moriyan dynasty of Sri Lanka. However, Moggallana managed to escape and fled to South India, fearing that his brother would assassinate him. Migara led Kashyapa to believe that Dhatusena had treasures of large wealth hidden away, and Kashyapa demanded these treasures from the imprisoned king. Dhatusena took Kashyapa to the Kalaweva, a large irrigation tank he had constructed, and told him that it was the only treasure he had. Enraged at this, Kashyapa had Dhatusena executed by burying him alive in the bund wall
of the Kalaweva.
. Because of this, and fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved his capital and residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura
to the more secure location of Sigiriya
. At Sigiriya, he constructed a large citadel and elaborate city. His palace was built on top of the Sigiriya rock.
Sigiriya was a large rock rising above the surrounding plain, offering a wide view in all directions. It was chosen as the capital because of the strategic advantage this would give the defenders during an attack. Large ramparts and moats were built around the city. An elaborate and large garden was built around the rock. These gardens consisted a number of pools, fountains and other structures. A complex underground irrigation system supplied water to these pools and fountains, and the fountains are functional to this day.
The constructions on top of the Sigiriya rock include the king’s palace among several other buildings and pools. The Sigiriya frescoes, which depict maidens carrying flowers, were also created during Kashyapa’s reign at Sigiriya.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, who ruled the country from 473
473
Year 473 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Leo without colleague...
to 495
495
Year 495 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Viator without colleague...
CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
. He was the second king of the royal Moriyan dynasty of Sri Lanka. Kashyapa is credited with the construction of the Sigiriya citadel and the surrounding city. He acquired the throne by overthrowing his father, King Dhatusena, and usurping his brother and rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, in a palace coup. He imprisoned and later executed his father. Kashyapa was also known as Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa (Kashyapa the Patricide), after this incident. He was later defeated by Moggallana, who had fled to South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
and returned with an army to regain the throne. Kashyapa was killed in the battle that ensued.
Acquiring the throne
Though Kashyapa was the son of the king, he was not the heir to the throneHeir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
. Moggallana was the son of the royal consort and the rightful heir to the throne, while Kassapa was born to a non-royal concubine. However, Kashyapa sought to acquire the throne by usurping Moggallana. He was assisted by the general of the king’s army
General of the Army
General of the Army is a military rank used in some countries to denote a senior military leader, usually a General in command of a nation's Army. It may also be the title given to a General who commands an Army in the field....
, Migara, who sought vengeance for a disagreement between him and the king. Assisted and encouraged by Migara, Kashyapa carried out a palace coup and overthrew Dhatusena.
Dhatusena was imprisoned, and Kashyapa became the king of the country in 473, as the second king in the Moriyan dynasty of Sri Lanka. However, Moggallana managed to escape and fled to South India, fearing that his brother would assassinate him. Migara led Kashyapa to believe that Dhatusena had treasures of large wealth hidden away, and Kashyapa demanded these treasures from the imprisoned king. Dhatusena took Kashyapa to the Kalaweva, a large irrigation tank he had constructed, and told him that it was the only treasure he had. Enraged at this, Kashyapa had Dhatusena executed by burying him alive in the bund wall
Bunding
Bunding, also called a bund wall, is the area within a structure designed to prevent inundation or breaches of various types.-Liquid containment:...
of the Kalaweva.
Construction of the city and citadel at Sigiriya
Kashyapa was disgraced among the public and the bikkhus, and he received the name Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa, meaning Kashyapa the PatricidePatricide
Patricide is the act of killing one's father, or a person who kills his or her father. The word patricide derives from the Latin word pater and the Latin suffix -cida...
. Because of this, and fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved his capital and residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, , is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic...
to the more secure location of Sigiriya
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures...
. At Sigiriya, he constructed a large citadel and elaborate city. His palace was built on top of the Sigiriya rock.
Sigiriya was a large rock rising above the surrounding plain, offering a wide view in all directions. It was chosen as the capital because of the strategic advantage this would give the defenders during an attack. Large ramparts and moats were built around the city. An elaborate and large garden was built around the rock. These gardens consisted a number of pools, fountains and other structures. A complex underground irrigation system supplied water to these pools and fountains, and the fountains are functional to this day.
The constructions on top of the Sigiriya rock include the king’s palace among several other buildings and pools. The Sigiriya frescoes, which depict maidens carrying flowers, were also created during Kashyapa’s reign at Sigiriya.