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Parakramabahu VI

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Parakramabahu VI
ReignA.D 1412-1467
PredecessorWeerabahu
SuccessorJayabahu II of Kotte
DiedKotte
Burial
Kotte
SpouseQueen Consort Swarnamanikya, a Kirawalle Princess
Queen Consort Madura, another Kirawelle Princess
Subadhra
IssueUlakadaya Deviya/Lokanatha
Adopted sons
Prince Sapumal (සපුමල් කුමරු) later King Bhuvanaikabahu VI of Kotte, Prince Ambulugala (අම්බුළුගල කුමරු) later king Parakramabahu VIII of Kotte and Prince Rahula/Jayaba also known as Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera
Prince Siriwardhana Jayamahalena (Parakramabahu Jr.)
HouseHouse of Siri Sanga Bo
DynastyMaurya
FatherLameni Jayamahalena
MotherSunethra Devi
ReligionBuddhism

Parâkramabâhu VI (1410/1412/1415–1467) was a king in the Sri Lankan kingdom of Kotte. His rule is famous for the political stability which he maintained in that time period and the thriving of literature, especially poetry. Classical literature (prose and verse) as well as many rock inscriptions and royal grant letters (patent letters, sannas) have been found, rendering much information pertaining to this period.

Early life

His mother was Sunethra Maha Devi. His father was Lameni Jayamahalena (Prince Jayakahalena), a lord. If so, he is the grandson of Prince Parakramabahu, who was Savulu Vijayabahu's son. Savulu Vijayabahu is the fifth to go by that name. His son Parakramabahu is the one who ruled the country, from Dedigama. Another scholar says that Jayamahalena was the grandfather of Parakramabahu. However, he is supposed to belong to the family, that came after Parakramabahu V.[1]

Parakramabahu VI was allied with Ming China who forcibly dethroned Alakeshvara in favor of him.[2][3] As documented in Chinese records, Parakramabahu VI was elected by the Sinhalese present at the Ming court, nominated by the Ming emperor, and installed by Admiral Zheng He with the backing of his fleet.[3]

Coronation

Although most sources say 1415 as his year of coronation, they also say that he coroneted after ruling three years from Raigama. Saddarmalakaraya says the coronation was in 1410. Parakramabahu VI's queen's name is Swarnamanikya or Ranmenika. A new palace was built in Jayawardane-pura Kotte. A 'Temple of the Tooth' was also constructed.

Rule

King Parakramabahu VI suppressed the revolts in Malayarata. The chiefs of Vanni who wielded power there, were defeated by this king.[1] In 1435, a south Indian invasion from the Vijayanagara Empire, is recorded. Sri Lankn sources say that the king thwarted the invasion successfully but south Indian records contradict this. Soon after this time, king Parâkramabâhu VI directed a naval attack on south Indian ports, resulting from a dispute that arose after the incident of steeling of a cargo ship by an Indian called Rayan Malavar around the year 1443.[4]

Conquering Yapa Patuna

This battle was led by king Parâkramabâhu VI's adopted son, Prince Sapumal (Sembagapperumal). Selalihini Sandeshaya records that the prince returned after winning the Yapa Patuna (Jaffna), about year 1449. The king took advantage that AryaChakravarthi could no longer get military assistance from Vijayanagara. As troops advanced across Mannar to Jaffna by land, naval forces must have cut south Indian assistance by patrolling the Palk Strait. The first fierce battle happened in JavaKotte (Chavakacheri) near Elephant pass. Later Jaffna was attacked and Arya chakravarthi was forced to retreat to India.[5][6]

Demise

In year 1463, there was a rebellion in the hill country and Sena sammatha Wikramabahu became king of Senkadagala. The king died in 1467. And his grand son Jayabahu became king. But this was followed by much political turmoil. The stability of king Parâkramabâhu VI would not return for centuries to come.

Contribution to literature

He also played a main role in the contribution to literature. King Parakramabahu VI showed a great interest in literature and arts. Also the offering of Royal favour is influenced to flourish of Sinhalese Literature. His period is considered as the Golden Era in Sinhalese Literature. That was the heyday of 'Sandesha Poetry.'

Contribution to Buddhism

He had built a 'Dalada Maligawa' which imbuded[check spelling] with 3 floors for reposing the tooth relic. So also he constructed a Greatest monument having honour of his mother called 'Papiliyane Sunethradevi Piriwena'.

See also

References

1. Shrilankave Ithihasaya, Department of educational publications, Sri Lanka.

  1. ^ a b "The country under one canopy".
  2. ^ Ray, Haraprasad (1987). "An Analysis of the Chinese Maritime Voyages into the Indian Ocean during Early Ming Dynasty and their Raison d'Etre". China Report. 23 (1): 74–75. doi:10.1177/000944558702300107. S2CID 154116680.
  3. ^ a b Holt, John Clifford (1991). Buddha in the Crown: Avalokiteśvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 109–110. ISBN 0-19-506418-6..
  4. ^ A. S. F. Weerasuriya, Kurukula Charithaya, p.232-8 (1960) Sujatha Publishers
  5. ^ The fifteenth century route to Yapa Patuna Archived 2015-11-20 at the Wayback Machine, Padma EDIRISINGHE (Sunday Observer) Retrieved 20 November 2015
  6. ^ "Portuguese encounter with King of Kotte in 1517". Denis N. Fernando. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
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