Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa explained

Nissanka Malla
නිස්සංක මල්ල
King of Sri Lanka
Reign:1187–1196
Full Name:Kalinga Nissanka Malla
Predecessor:Mahinda VI
Successor:Vira Bahu I
Queen:Kalinga Subadradevi
Gangavamsa Kalyanamahadevi
Spouse 1:Kalyanavati
Issue:Vira Bahu I
Dynasty:House of Kalinga
Father:Jayagopa
Mother:Parvati
Religion:Theravada Buddhism
Birth Date:1157 or 1158
Birth Place:Sinhapura, Kalinga

Nissanka Malla (Sinhala; Sinhalese: නිස්සංක මල්ල), also known as Keerti Nissanka and Kalinga Lokesvara was a king of Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka) who ruled the country from 1187 to 1196.[1] He is known for his architectural constructions such as the Nissanka Lata Mandapaya, Hatadage and Rankot Vihara, as well as for the refurbishment of old temples and irrigation tanks.

Nissanka Malla declared that only a Buddhist had the right to rule the country, thereby securing his position and justifying his claim for kingship. He spent large sums for various constructions and refurbishments, and also gave money to the public in an attempt to put down crimes. He maintained cordial relationships with several countries, and also invaded the states of the Pandyan and Chola dynasties in South India but the invasion failed.

Ancestry and family

A rock inscription made by Nissanka Malla at Dambulla mentions that he is of the Kalinga dynasty and a descendant from the race of Prince Vijaya. Another inscription at Ruwanwelisaya describes him as being a member of a royal family of Kalinga, born at Sinhapura. The inscription there reads;[2]

Nissanka Malla's year of birth is 1157 or 1158.[3] He was the son of Queen Parvati and King Jayagopa. This is mentioned in a rock inscription made by Nissanka Malla at Galpota. This inscription describes Jayagopa as being the reigning king of Sinhapura. Nissanka Malla had two wives named Kalinga Subadradevi and Gangavamsa Kalyanamahadevi. He was also a son-in-law or nephew of Parākramabāhu I.

Reign

Nissanka Malla came to Sri Lanka under the invitation of Vijayabâhu II, who succeeded Parākramabāhu the Great, and was appointed as Vijayabâhu's Aepa (ඈපා/ duke/ sub-king). Vijayabâhu was killed by Mahinda VI of the Kalinga Dynasty. Mahinda VI reigned for only five days before Nissanka Malla killed him and assumed the throne himself in 1187.[4]

By claiming to be descended from Vijaya, the first king of Sri Lanka, Nissanka Malla justified his right to the throne. He secured his position further by declaring that the ruler of Sri Lanka should adhere to Buddhism.[5] His rock inscription at Galpotha describes this, saying that "non-Buddhists should not be placed in power in Sri Lanka to which the Kalinga dynasty was the rightful heir".[6]

He is also known as Kirti Nissanka and is referred to in some records as Kalinga Lankesvara. His rock inscriptions refer to him in names such as "Fountain of renown", "Protector of the Earth" and "Lamp by which the whole world was illuminated".[7]

Economy

Heavy taxes that were imposed by Parākramabāhu I were largely reduced by Nissanka Malla. He gave money, gold, cattle, land and other items of value to the public. This was seen by him as an act to "put down robbery", since he believed that they resorted to robbery because of oppression and severe taxation. However, Nissanka Malla tried to outdo the accomplishments of Parākramabāhu I with his constructions, which later led the kingdom becoming almost bankrupt.[8]

Foreign relations

Nissanka Malla recovered cordial relationships with Ramanna (Burma); following the end of Polonnaru-Pagan war. He also maintained relationships with countries such as the Khmer empire.[9] He sent missionaries to Cambodia and was responsible for conversion of Cambodia into Theravada which lasted until. Pali language scripts that are found in Southeast Asia are likely from the missionaries he sent.

Territory

Rameswaram of South India, which had come under the control of Sri Lanka during the reign of Parākramabāhu I, in the end of the Pandyan Civil War it come under Cholas. However Nissanka Malla invaded the Rameswaram and renovated a temple in Rameswaram and renamed it Nissankesvara.[10] [11] Nissanka Malla also invaded the states of the Pandyans and Cholas in South India but the invasion failed.[12]

Constructions

The Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, constructed by Nissanka Malla is a unique type of building. It contains 8 granite pillars which were used to support a roof.[13] The pillars are carved out of granite in the form of lotus stems with opening lotus buds on the tops, and are positioned on a platform.[14]

The Hatadage is another construction done by Nissanka Malla. This building was constructed to keep the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha.[15] The Rankot Vihara, the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka, was also constructed by Nissanka Malla. A major refurbishment was carried out at the Dambulla cave temple by Nissanka Malla. A rock inscription records that he has spent 7 lakhs for this. However, another of his own rock inscriptions contradict this statement and mentions the sum as 1 lakh.[16] The interior of the temple was gilded during the refurbishment. This later earned the temple the name Swarnagiri, meaning golden rock. Nissanka Malla also had 50 Buddha statues in the temple gilded, and had this recorded in a rock inscription near the entrance of the temple.[17] A statue of Nissanka Malla was also made in one of the caves.[18]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa. 2005-05-08. Sunday Observer. 2009-04-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605222312/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2005/05/08/juniorob04.html. 2011-06-05. live.
  2. Book: Rasanayagam, C.. Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami . Ancient Jaffna. Asian Educational Services. 1993. 322, 323. 81-206-0210-2. 2009-04-11.
  3. Book: Codrington, H. W. . Short History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. 1995. 65. 81-206-0946-8. 2009-04-11.
  4. Book: Wijesooriya, S.. A Concise Sinhala Mahavamsa. Participatory Development Forum, Sri Lanka. 2006. 126. 53. 955-9140-31-0.
  5. Book: Strathern, Alan . Kingship and Conversion in Sixteenth-Century Sri Lanka. Cambridge University Press. 2007. 147. 0-521-86009-1. 2009-04-12.
  6. Web site: The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Educational Publications Department, Sri Lanka. 2009-04-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20120222173948/http://www.edupub.gov.lk/Final%20History%20Grade%207%20%2010.04.2008(Eng)/Chapter%204.pdf. 2012-02-22. dead.
  7. Book: Wright, Arnold . Twentieth century impressions of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. 1999. 38. 81-206-1335-X. 2009-04-12.
  8. Web site: Studying Sri Lanka's simian soap opera. Paxton. Hugh. Paxton, Midori . 2002-09-10. The Japan Times Online. 2009-04-14.
  9. Sri Lanka-Cambodia relations. Gunetileke. Hema. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. University of Cambridge Press.
  10. Book: Mendis, G.C. . Early History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. 1996. 65, 66. 81-206-0209-9. 2009-04-12.
  11. Web site: Rameswaram Inscription of Nissankamalla. Pradeepa. Lanka. 2021-09-19. Lankapradeepa. 2021-12-27.
  12. Book: Peebles, Patrick . The history of Sri Lanka. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2006. 21, 23. 0-313-33205-3. 2009-04-12.
  13. Book: Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. . History of Indian and Indonesian Art. Kessinger Publishing. 2003. 165. 0-7661-5801-2. 2009-04-12.
  14. Book: Isenberg, Joan P.. Renck, Mary . Major Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education. Teachers College Press. 2003. 75, 76. 0-8077-4350-X. 2009-04-12.
  15. Web site: Sacred Tooth Relic; a journey from Kalinga in India to Senkadagalapura Temple of Tooth. . Witharanage. Hansima . 2007-02-14. The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. 2009-04-12.
  16. Book: Davids, T.W.Rhys . International Numismata Orientalia. Asian Educational Services. 1996. 23. 81-206-1188-8. 2009-04-12.
  17. Web site: Dambulla - Best preserved cave temple complex. Pradeepa. Ganga. 2008-10-24. Daily News. 2009-04-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604205402/http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/10/24/fea11.asp. 2011-06-04. dead.
  18. Web site: The cave temples of Dambulla. 2004-11-07. Sunday Observer. 2009-04-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605222321/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/11/07/juniorob05.html. 2011-06-05. live.