Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa
Who was Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa?
Sri Lankan king of Polonnaruwaa from 1055 to 1110
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Vijayabahu I, also known as Vijayabahu the Great, was a key ruler in Sri Lankan history from 1055 to 1110 CE. Born Prince Keerthi into royalty, he became a notable leader during a time when Sri Lanka was under foreign control and politically fragmented. His rule ended Chola control over the island and brought back self-rule to the Sinhalese.
Vijayabahu took charge of the Ruhuna region in southern Sri Lanka in 1055, while most of the island was occupied by the Cholas. The Cholas had previously taken over large parts of Sri Lanka, disrupting traditional leadership and religious practices. From Ruhuna, Vijayabahu launched a prolonged military campaign against the Cholas, lasting seventeen years. He used guerrilla tactics and formed diplomatic alliances to gradually weaken Chola hold over different areas.
By 1070, after years of hard fighting, Vijayabahu succeeded in driving the Cholas out, reuniting the island under one ruler for the first time in over 77 years. This wasn't just his personal victory; it also restored Sinhalese control across the island. After his triumph, he set up his capital in Polonnaruwa, which became the center of Sri Lankan power for a long time.
Besides his military success, Vijayabahu focused heavily on rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and religious sites. He initiated projects to fix the damage from years of war and occupation. He worked to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka by rebuilding monasteries, supporting monks, and encouraging religious study. He also engaged in international diplomacy, notably gifting the Thihoshin Pagoda with a Buddha image to the Burmese king Alaungsithu, strengthening ties between the two Buddhist nations and asserting Sri Lanka's new independence.
Vijayabahu ruled until his death in 1110 in Polonnaruwa, turning Sri Lanka from a divided, occupied land into a united and thriving kingdom. His 55-year rule brought the stability needed for economic recovery and cultural growth after years under foreign domination.
Before Fame
Prince Keerthi was born into a royal family during a tough time in Sri Lanka's history. At that point, the island had mostly been taken over by the Cholas from South India. They had taken control of much of the northern and central regions, breaking up the traditional Sinhalese kingdoms that had been in power for centuries.
Growing up under foreign rule, the young prince saw the disruption in Sri Lankan society, including the decline of Buddhist institutions and the traditional ruling elites losing their place. This early experience shaped his determination to restore local rule and likely influenced his later dedication to rebuilding the country's religious and cultural foundations once he came to power.
Key Achievements
- Expelled the Cholas from Sri Lanka after a 17-year military campaign
- Reunified Sri Lanka under single rule for the first time in 77 years
- Re-established Buddhism as the dominant religion and rebuilt monasteries
- Established Polonnaruwa as the new capital and political center
- Restored diplomatic relations with other Buddhist kingdoms including Burma
Did You Know?
- 01.He ruled for 55 years, one of the longest reigns in Sri Lankan history
- 02.The Thihoshin Pagoda he gifted to Burma still stands in Pakokku today
- 03.His 17-year campaign against the Cholas employed guerrilla warfare tactics from his southern stronghold
- 04.He was the first ruler to reunify all of Sri Lanka after more than seven decades of fragmentation
- 05.His capital at Polonnaruwa became the political center of Sri Lanka for the next two centuries