Dutugamunu the Great (Sinhala: දුටුගැමුනු), also known as Dutthagamani Abhaya ("fearless
Gamini"), was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom[1] who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is
renowned for first uniting the whole island of Sri Lanka by defeating and overthrowing Elara, the
usurping Tamil prince from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Anuradhapura kingdom in 205
BC.[2] Dutugamunu also expanded and beautified the city of Anuradhapura and projected the power
of his native Rajarata region across the island of Sri Lanka.
Due to his significance as one of the most potent symbols of Sinhalese historical power,
Dutugamunu's story is swathed in myth and legend.[3] However, many aspects of the accounts of his
life have been verified by contemporary inscriptions, and the basic account of his life is generally
accepted as accurate.[4]
Etymology[edit]
KING DUTUGEMUNU (161 BC – 137 BC)
Dutugamunu (Sinhala: දුටුගැමුනු, lit. 'දුටුගැමුනු', Tamil: துட்டகாமினி, lit. 'Tuṭṭakāmiṉi') is also
known as Dutthagamani Abhaya ("fearless Gamini"[5]). The Mahavamsa describes how as a youth
he mocked his father Kavantissa, king of Ruhuna, for refusing to wage war against the powerful King
Elara who ruled Sri Lanka for 45 years and known and venerated by the Sinhalese as a Just King or
Dharmista Elara* , He ruled what was then known as the island of Ratnadiva from Anuradhapura.
Duttagamni , the prefix Dutta means terror-inspiring, rustic or rowdy2* stated that "If [his] father were
a man he would not speak thus" and sent him a piece of women's jewellery. The resulting fury of the
king caused many of his friends to flee to Malaya region and the prince himself being
dubbed Dutthagamani, meaning "disobedient".[6] After his death, he was referred to as Dharma
Gamini ("righteous Gamini"), but it is as Duttha Gamini or Dutugemunu that he is known to posterity.
Ancestry and family[edit]
The Mahavamsa constitutes the major source on Dutugemunu's reign and dedicates some six
chapters (out of 35) to his tale. In chapter 22 he is described as being descended from the ancient
royal family of Rajarata through Devanampiyatissa's brother Mahanaga. At the time of his birth
Dutugemunu's father was Kavantissa, king of Ruhuna, a small kingdom in south-east Sri Lanka
outside of the influence of Rajarata in the north; the border between the two polities was the
Mahaganga, or 'Great River', possibly the modern Menik Ganga. Kavantissa is portrayed in the
Mahamvamsa as 'devoutly believing in the three gems, [and] he provided
the brotherhood continually with...needful things'.[7]
Dutugemunu's mother was Viharamahadevi, daughter of Tissa, king of Kalyani. Legend has it that as
punishment for Tissa slaying a Buddhist monk, Kalyani had been subject to a series of deluges from
the sea. To placate it Tissa placed his daughter Devi in a golden boat with the words 'A King's
Daughter' written on the side, and set her out to sea. Miraculously the princess washed ashore, alive
and well, in Ruhuna, and married Kavantissa.
During her pregnancy with Dutugemunu, Viharamahadevi had a series of peculiar cravings,
including the urge to sleep on a pillow made of honeycombs. In particular her urge to drink the water
used to wash a sword that had cleaved the head of a warrior of Elara, whilst standing on that same
head, raised the interest of the soothsayers at court, who predicted that 'The queen's son, when he
has vanquished the Damilas (Tamil) and built up a united kingdom, will make the doctrine to shine
forth brightly'.[8] Viharamahadevi gave birth to a son named Gamani Abhaya some time later, and
after that to another child, a boy named Tissa.
Around the time of Gamani's birth, 'an elephant of the six-tusked race brought his young one thither
and left him here and went his way'.[9] Named Kandula, he went on to become Gamani's mount and
accompanied him through much of the prince's adventures.
Dutugemunu's sister
"Recent archaeological studies have found evidence proving that King Kavantissa had a daughter
who was a sister to King Dutu Gemunu".
New evidence to this appeared in[10] The Island of March 27, 2017.
The battle in the palace and early reign[edit]
Flag of King Dutugamunu, as depicted in the Dambulla
Viharaya cave no.2
[11]
By the age of sixteen Gamani was 'vigorous, renowned, intelligent and a hero in majesty and
might',[12] if a little wayward. Determined to expel the invading king of Rajarata, Gamani levied an
army from around Rohana and declared his intention to regain the north to his father. The king
forbade this stating that 'the land on this side of the river is enough';[13] the resulting exchange
between father and son saw Gamani being dubbed 'Duttha Gamani', his friends fleeing to Malaya,
and he himself being incarcerated in a royal prison.
Kavantissa is known as a brilliant strategist who recognized early that he needed to make his
kingdom powerful before waging a war against the invaders. He assembled armies and made his
kingdom prosperous in "rice and betel leaf" - this meaning that the people had a lot of agricultural
surplus. The legendary ten "great giants" - men who had great strength – are brought into the army
at this time. Kavantissa repeatedly makes Dutugemunu and Tissa swear that they would never fight
one another and that they would always respect and listen to the advice of the priests. He also
makes the ten giants swear never to pick sides in a war between the brothers.
Upon Kavantissa's death, Dutugemunu found himself having to defend his crown against his
younger brother Tissa, who had seized possession of not only the elephant Kandula, but the
dowager queen Viharamahadevi as well.[14] The war between the two began with a defeat for
Dutugemunu at Culanganiyapitthi, where 'many thousands of the king's (Dutugemunu's) men'
perished. Dutugemunu was forced to flee back to Mahagama where he levied another army and
engaged Tissa in yet another battle in the vicinity of the city. Legend has it that as Tissa, fought his
brother riding the royal elephant "Kandula" against Dutugemunu who rode a mare. Dutugemunu at
one point made the mare jump over the elephant causing the elephant to recognize its master and
attempt to kill Tissa who hastily dismounts via a tree. Dutugemunu was victorious and Tissa was
smuggled off the battlefield disguised as the corpse of a monk.[15][16] It is said that Dutugemunu
recognized the ploy and called out to his brother "Are you not ashamed to be carried on the back of
these priests?" Some time afterwards, however, Dutugemunu and Tissa were reconciled through the
efforts of Viharamahadevi and the monks, and Tissa became one of the king's foremost generals.
Gaining of Rajarata[edit]
Having secured his throne, he then planned his operations to conquer the north, which included not
only Rajarata but numerous smaller semi-independent polities. The king's army consisted of
'chariots, troops and beasts for riders', soldiers and a number of war elephants, as well as a number
of monks (to advise the King) and a relic placed in his spear for luck and blessings.[17] In addition he
was accompanied by the famed Ten Giant Warriors who had been recruited from all over the island
by his father Kavantissa – Nandhimitra, Suranimala, Mahasona, Theraputtabhya, Gotaimbara,
Bharana, Vasabha, Khanjadeva, Velusamanna, and Phussadeva.
The campaign saw Dutugemunu subduing a number of usurping Tamil rulers in the north (as many
as 32, according to the Mahavamsa). Of particular interest is the four-month siege of Vijitanagara,
where the defending Tamil troops are said to have used 'red-hot iron and molten pitch'[18] to panic
Dutugemunu's elephants. During this time he also married Ran Etana, the daughter of a chieftain
who continued to pay homage to Elara of Anuradhapura.[19] On at least two occasions victory is
attributed to the king's 'cunning' and the bravery of Kandhula. The campaign reached a climax at the
eastern gate of Anuradhapura, where Dutugemunu, riding Kandhula, finally confronted the aged
usurped king Elara, on his own elephant Mahäpabbata, and slew him with a spear; the encounter is
one of the most famous in Sri Lankan history.
Dutugemunu's victory at Anuradhapura put him in the unprecedented position of ruling nearly the
entire island of (Sri) Lanka. Despite this however his position was far from problem-free. Elara,
despite being an invading Tamil from the Chola empire of south India, was renowned as having
been a just and righteous leader, and Dutugemunu went out of his way to ensure the memory of the
old king was revered as he cremated Elara and built a tomb for his ashes and made rules for
travelers to get off and pay their respects to his tomb. Furthermore, 'looking back upon his glorious
victory, great though it was, [he] knew no joy, remembering that thereby was wrought the destruction
of thousands of both enemies and his soldiers.'[20] This is attested to by the sheer number of religious
foundations attributed to him by the chronicles (between 68 and 99), which include magnificent
stupas, monasteries, and shrines.
Reign and construction work[edit]
Ruwanveliseya, King Dutugamunu's most famous
construction; it currently stands at over 90 metres in height and 91 diameter
Aside from his many construction projects Dutugemunu's reign is memorable for his estrangement
from his son, Saliya or Salirajakumara. The Prince fell in love with a girl called Agokamaladevi or
Asokamala; unfortunately for all concerned she was of the Scavenger caste, one of the lowest
castes in Sinhalese society. Saliya refused to give her up and rejected the throne. Though the
Mahavamsa mentions no reconciliation,[21] folk stories have the young couple eventually restored to
the king's good graces.[22]
The king's reign also saw extensive contact between Sri Lanka and traders from the west, including
Arabs, Persians, and possibly Romans[23]
Following his consolidation of his position Dutugemunu began a series of huge construction projects,
many of which still survive in Anuradhapura today. As with nearly everything in Dutugemunu's life,
each foundation comes with its own legend, many of which reveal the preoccupations and
inclinations of ancient Sinhalese society.
The first foundation mentioned in the Mahavamsa is the Maricavatti vihara, the modern Mirisavetiya.
Legend has it that traveling to the shore of the Tank of Tissa with the 'women of the harem' for a
water-festival, Dutugemunu planted his spear (which contained a sacred relic) in the soft ground.
When preparing to return to the palace, he found that neither he, nor anyone in his retinue, could pull
it out. Taking this as a sign he ordered the construction of a stupa over the spear.[24]
Dutugemunu also ordered the construction of the Lohapasada, or Brazen Palace, a nine-story
chapter house for monks, which derived its name from its bright copper-tiled roof. Again, legend has
it that the design for the palace was based on a building seen in one of the heavens by a group of
monks, who drew the design with 'red arsenic on linen' and dispatched it to the king.[25]
Perhaps his most famous creation was the Ruwanweliseya, also known as the Great Stupa or and
Swarnamalee Chetiya, to house the begging bowl of the Buddha. The construction was started on
the full moon day of the month of Vesak (traditionally the date of the birth, enlightenment, and
passing away of the Buddha) with the creation of a foundation of crushed rock. To hammer the
stones into place elephants were used with their feet bound in leather.[26] Dutugemunu is said to have
overseen the work personally, being present at the construction of the relic chamber and the
interring of the bowl itself. The dedication of a stupa is described in Chap. 29 of the Mahavamsa,
which lists the visit of delegations from various parts of India, as well as a delegation of 30,000
monks from Alexandria of the Caucasus, led by the Indo-Greek monk Mahadharmaraksita.
Other notable works include the construction of a stupa in Mundeshiwari, current day Bihar, India.[27]
Spiritual relationship with god "Kataragama"[edit]
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Stories relating to some of the king's constructions reflect a spiritual relationship with
the Kataragama deviyo. Two such sites are Henakaduwa Purana Raja Maha
Viharaya at Tangalle and Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya.
During the period of preparations for war with King Elara, the Kataragama deity appeared in front of
King Dutugemunu and gave him a sword for him to use in the war at the present-day site
of Henakaduwa temple (hena and Kaduna, meaning thunder and sword respectively in Sinhalese).
After defeating Elara in single combat in the Battle of Vijithapura and subsequently regaining power
in the country, the Kataragama deity appeared yet again before Dutugemunu while the latter was in
meditation at Kiri Vehera, Kataragama. The victorious king asked the deity what should be done in
return for the deity's help in winning the battle. The god replied by shooting an arrow in the direction
of Wedihiti Kanda from Kiri Vehera and instructed Dutugemunu to build a shrine where the arrow
lands.
Death and succession[edit]
King Dutugemunu did not live to see his beloved Ruwanweliseya completed, dying before the plaster
work was finished. The Mahavamsa dedicates an entire chapter to his death,[28] which contains a
poignant scene where the dying king is taken by palanquin to the vicinity of the incomplete stupa.
There he also encounters his old colleague Theraputtbhya, now a monk. After some discussion of
the mortality of men, the aged monarch passes away and is immediately reborn in the heavenly
realm of Tusita.[29]
A common folk tale surrounding the death of King Dutugemunu is that as he was dying he was told
that Ruwanweliseya was completed in order to keep him happy. The well-intentioned plan went
awry, however, when Dutugemunu asked to be shown the finished building. His brother Tissa had
the entire building draped in white cloth to present the illusion of whitewash, and due to his failing
eyesight Dutugemunu did not spot the difference, dying convinced that the building was finished.
Following his death Dutugemunu was succeeded by his brother Saddhatissa, rather than his
disinherited son Saliya.