Anuradhapura (4th century
BC - 10th century AD)
The Sinhalese people first
developed in the dry, north plain region and then took root across
the island to the west and the south during the 4th century BC.
The strongest Sinhalese group in this period was the Sinhalese
kingdom of Anuradhapura in the north.
In the 3rd century
BC, Buddhism was introduced to the people of Anuradhapura by Arahat
Mahinda, the son of Ashoka Mauryan emperor of India,
and it was him that convinced the Anuradhapura king and his
followers to convert to Buddhism. During this century that
Buddhism went through rejuvenation in Sri Lanka evidenced by which
the sacred Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa) -- the tree
under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya in
northern India -- and the Theravada school of Buddhism can
still be seen in Anuradhapura today. Following the teaching of
Buddhism, Anuradhapura people were getting a strong sense of
national purpose and national identity. It also inspired the
development of culture and arts of Sinhalese people.
For almost 1500 years of Anuradhapura
as a center of Sinhalese kingdom, Buddhism had flourished the
kingdom with cultural greatness and civilization, however, as a
result of its proximity to South India, it suffered from the
repeated invasion and takeover of Anuradhapura by South
Indian kingdom which was a major struggle to the state
progression.
Between the mid-2nd century BC
and the end of 6th century AD, a large part of Sri Lanka came
under the rule of an Indian invader whose dynasty called Lambakarna
and who paid attention to the development of irrigation. Today,
the remnants of the enormous 'Tanks' -- artificial lakes developed
for irrigation purposes in the dry regions -- that are scattered
over the country are the reminders of this period of Sri Lanka
history. |
