KINGSHIP AND GOVERNANCE Of OLD CEYLON -
ANURADHAPURA ERA - PART 1

Sri Lankan history can be categorized under two major headings,

I) Before the written history (pre historic age)

II) After the written history(advent of Aryan)

When we discuss the kingship and the ruling system of pre historic age, it is rare. Unwritten history is started before the advent of Vijaya. According to the Buddhist literature few stories are revealed. 

• Choolodara and Mahodara in Buddhist culture said to be siblings and they were introduced  as Kings, they might be powerful rural leaders with great power. 

• Maniakkitha Na Raja also a such leader who ruled Kelaniya.

Before the  arrival of Aryan three main tribes resided and ruled old Ceylon. Those  were good at mercantile affairs especially the "Naga" . The unique location of the country made it possible. For a well organised business, firmly established administration is needed. Therefore it is evident that though there is no sufficient written or archaeological sources, it is possible to believe in it with circumstantial evidence. 

King Devanampiyathissa was the one who gave a meaning to the kingship which came initially from Asoka emperor in India.  In Anuradapura era kingship was transferred from father to son basically. This was the conventional concept of succession, most of the civilizations existed so far. 

However Sri Lankan system differs from other traditional and rigid rules. 

King was the central , though all legislative, executive and judiciary powers are under one shelter, it was not an arbitrary at all. Instructions in ruling the state was taken by the Buddhist monks, it led state towards peace and harmony. This came with the Buddhism. With the time due to many migrations and invasions the society became much complicated and many tribes emerged. Lambakarna and Maurya  the main dynasties which ruled Anuradhapura  era were a good example.  Whatever the ruling party kings were devoted to serve people. Therefore they were personified as "Bodhisatwa", (an extraordinary person who is able to attain "Nibbana" the highest dimension of the all world but delays it through compassion for suffering beings in the world)

Eg- King Buddadasa

When king Devanapatissa came to the power Buddhism played a major role. Since then, preserving the Buddhism both as a religion and a philosophy became a prime object of a king. There was a strong condition formulated with kingship that person who wants to success the throne should be  a Buddhist. This happens with the direct influence of the Buddhism. He built stupa, temples as well other worshiping places for the well being of his subjects. King Dutugamunu was the first who unified the country. His ruling system was totally depend on the Buddhist ideology similar to his ancestors. Later in Polonnaruwa era Vijayabahu first and the parakramabahu first were the vigorous characters who ruled well and improved the country. Nishankamalla was a king with foreign origin but respected to the Buddhism well. 

As whole, Apart from the King,there were ministers allocated to various necessities. It was a kind of cabinet which is similar to the modern context . 

• Eg- Thonigala   rock inscription  refers such cabinet as "Amathi pajeha". 

• The structure of the King Nishshankamalla's Royal pavilion is a real evidence of a cabinet. Each tower in it depicts the position of the particular minister. 
• Badagarika- The head of royal treasury
• MahaLena- The head of writings
• Nagara Guththika- Protector of the city (aimilar to the mayor now a days but more active than today)
• Danda Nayaka- Head opf the troops who protected boundaries (Hopitigamuwa or Badulu rock inscription depicts on such Danda Nayaka) were very few of essential position of Anuradhapura Era

"yuvaraja" (Uparaja) was an important position in the Anuradhapura era. 

• Eg-  King Devanampiyatissa has appointed his younger brother "Mahanaga" as yvaraja.

Yuvaraja had to rule the remote areas of the kingdom on behalf of the king. Later on "Yuvaraja" named as "Epa". There were times yuvaraja came to the throne following the death of the king. Senapathi  (chief of the forces) was the guardian of the security or forces similarly responsible for the security of the country along with the king. Most of times he was next of kin of the King. 

For the smooth function of the state it was divided in to provincial units. The names used for each of them was differ from time to time.

• Eg- In the first phase of Anuradapura kingdom, Rajarata and Rohanaya

Later phase of Anuradhapura additional unit as Malaya (Hill Country) appeared, with Rajarata and Ruhuna(formally rohanaya)

Apart from few, in the history most of Kings could not unify the country, due to both internal and external matters. However duties of a king were fulfilled by most of them. Preserving Buddhism, Protecting people and building irrigation was the set of task endowed upon the king.

Village was the smallest unit. He was called as "Gamika, Gamini, Gama Bojaka". When ten village were clustered it was "Dasa Gamladda" was the chief of all ten villages. Collecting levies, sorting out minor offences, were their duties. "Parumaka" was a powerful person. According to certain readings the origin of the Kingship has come out of so called Parumaka. Since they are attached with the village, they had a good understanding on the attitudes and life style of the rural men, it made their task easy.  From the top to bottom each and every state official was an integral part of the state service and they were responsible for their each deed to the King.  

This was the basic outline of the kingship and the administration of the Anuradhapura kingdom.  Next article will be the way how monarchical governance shifted from Dambadeniya to Kotte. 

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