The Principality of Ruhuna, 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.
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.[3]
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.[4]
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[5] .
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.[3]
| width=9% | Portrait | width=25% | Name | width=9% | Birth | width=9% | Death | width=9% | King From | width=9% | King Until | width=30% | Relationship with Predecessor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahanaga | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | ? | ? | Younger brother of Devanampiya Tissa | ||||||
| Yatala Tissa | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | ? | ? | Son of Mahanaga | ||||||
| Gothabhaya | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | ? | 205 BC | Son of Yatala Tissa | ||||||
| Kavan Tissa | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 205 BC | 161 BC | Son of Gothabhaya | ||||||
| Vikramabahu (aka Kassapa VI before coronation) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1029 | 1041 |
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| Kirthi (Minister) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1041 | 1049 |
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| Mahalana Kirthi | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1049 | 1052 |
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| Vikkama Pandya | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1052 | 1053 |
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| Jagathpala | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1053 | 1057 |
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| Pârakkama Pandya | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1057 | 1059 | |||||||
| Lokeshwara (Minister) | align="center" | - | align="center" | - | 1059 | ? |
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