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Vasabha

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King Vasabha
King of Anuradhapura
Maharaja (note 1)
Reign67–111 AD
PredecessorSubharaja
SuccessorVankanasika Tissa
Died111 AD
SpousePottha and/or Jita (Citrā) [1]
IssueKing Vankanasika Tissa[1]
(King) Uttara [2] (note 2)
(King) Duṭaga [3] (note 2)
HouseLambakanna dynasty
ReligionTheravāda Buddhism

Vasabha (Sinhala: වසභ) was a monarch of the Anuradhapura period of Sri Lanka. He is considered to be the pioneer of the construction of large-scale irrigation works and underground waterways in Sri Lanka to support paddy cultivation. 11 reservoirs and 12 canals were constructed during his reign. He also constructed several Buddhist temples in addition to renovating already existing ones. Vasabha started a new dynasty in the history of Sri Lankan monarchs, having seized the throne after killing Subharaja, the then ruler of Anuradhapura.

Early life and kingship

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Prince Vasabha, born to a family of a clan named Lambakanna, spent his childhood in a village in the North of the country working for his uncle who was a general in the king's army. The ruler of the country at this time was Subharaja, who was informed by soothsayers that one named Vasabha would defeat him and become king. To avoid this, Subharaja ordered everyone in the country bearing that name to be killed. Vasabha's uncle tried to take him to the king under the pretext of taking him to join the king's service. However, he was saved by Pottha, the wife of his uncle, who told him about the king's decision. He went into hiding followed this, and gathered an army in secret.[4]

Having eventually raised an army, Vasabha led a rebellion against the king, and subsequently seized the throne in 67 AD after killing Subharaja and his uncle. He ruled for 44 years, until his death in 111 AD.[4] His accession to the throne marked the beginning of a new dynasty of rulers, known as the First Lambakanna Dynasty after the name of his clan.

Services

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The ancient chronicle Mahavamsa states that he constructed eleven reservoirs and twelve canals to distribute water from them. His most notable construction is the Elahara canal or Aalisara canal, which originally had a length of about 30 miles (48 km). It was created by damming the Amban river, and was used to divert water in a westerly direction for agricultural use. The reservoirs at Mahavilachchiya and Nochchipotana, which have both been identified as constructions of Vasabha, have a circumference of about 2 miles (3.2 km). Due to such constructions, Vasabha pioneered the construction of large irrigation works in the country.[5]

Having been told by a soothsayer that he would live only for twelve more years, Vasabha became a devout Buddhist and performed many meritorious acts in an effort to prolong his life. He constructed several Buddhist temples, and renovated others. Among his constructions are the vatadage at Thuparama and some additions to the Mahavihara.[4]

Inscriptions

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Inscriptions belonging to the reign of King Vasabha such as the Vallipuram Gold Plate in the Jaffna peninsula in the north which mentions about a minister named Isigiraya was appointed to" Nakadiva", which was then Jaffna.[6] Situlpawwa and Tissamaharama in the south, Batticaloa District of the east and Kurunegala District of the west all prove that King Vasaba's power had spread through the island.

See also

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Notes

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1.^ Sinhala: මහරජ, lit. 'Great King', [maharadʒə]; Should not be confused with the Hindu and Sikh princely title "Maharaja".
2.^ Not mentioned in the Mahavamsa list of Kings. According to some historians the name 'Duṭaga' refers to Vankanasika Tissa. See, Neth FM - Unlimited History - Episode 59 - 03 Video on YouTube

References

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  1. ^ a b "Inscription No. 54 at Kādigala". inscriptions.lk.
  2. ^ "Inscription No. 57 at Habässa". inscriptions.lk.
  3. ^ "Inscription No. 55 at Tammannǟva". inscriptions.lk.
  4. ^ a b c Wijesooriya, S. (2006). A Concise Sinhala Mahavamsa. Participatory Development Forum. p. 81. ISBN 955-9140-31-0.
  5. ^ Siriweera, W. I. (2004). History of Sri Lanka. Dayawansa Jayakodi & Company. p. 169. ISBN 955-551-257-4.
  6. ^ "Kings of Sri Lanka 62 AD – 131 AD". 18 March 2010.
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Vasabha
Born: ? ? Died: ? 111 AD
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Anuradhapura
67–111 AD 		Succeeded by
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