history Anuradhapura (4th century BC - 10th century AD)

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.