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|image_map = Important locations of Anuradhapura Kingdom.png |image_map_caption = The major ports and towns of Sri Lanka during the Anuradhapura period. ''Rajarata'', ''Malaya Rata'' and ''Ruhuna'', the three sections the country was divided into, are also shown. | |capital = Anuradhapura |latd=8 |latm=21 |latNS=N |longd=80 |longm=23 |longEW=E | |common_languages = Sinhala |religion = Buddhism |currency = | | |leader1 = Pandukabhaya |leader2 = Mahinda V |year_leader1 = 377 BC-367 BC |year_leader2 = 982–1017 | | |stat_year1 = |stat_area1 = 65610 |stat_pop1 = }} The Anuradhapura Kingdom (Sinhala: ), named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC, the kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom. Nonetheless, the king of Anuradhapura was seen as the supreme ruler of the country throughout the Anuradhapura period. Buddhism played a strong role in the Anuradhapura period, influencing its culture, laws, and methods of governance.〔Buddhism was such an important factor in this period that Mendis (2000), p.196 asserts, "The island of Lanka belonged to the Buddha himself; it was like a treasury filled with the three gems".〕 Society and culture were revolutionized when the faith was introduced during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa; this cultural change was further strengthened by the arrival of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka and the patronage extended by her rulers.〔Perera (2001), p.45〕 Invasions from South India were a constant threat throughout the Anuradhapura period. Rulers such as Dutthagamani, Valagamba, and Dhatusena are noted for defeating the South Indians and regaining control of the kingdom. Other rulers who are notable for military achievements include Gajabahu I, who launched an invasion against the invaders, and Sena II, who sent his armies to assist a Pandyan prince. Because the kingdom was largely based on agriculture, the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, ensuring water supply in the dry zone and helping the country grow mostly self-sufficient. Several kings, most notably Vasabha and Mahasena, built large reservoirs and canals, which created a vast and complex irrigation network in the ''Rajarata'' area throughout the Anuradhapura period. These constructions are an indication of the advanced technical and engineering skills used to create them. The famous paintings and structures at Sigiriya; the Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavana stupas, and other large stupas; large buildings like the Lovamahapaya; and religious works (like the numerous Buddha statues) are landmarks demonstrating the Anuradhapura period's advancement in sculpting. ==The city of Anuradhapura== In 543 BC, prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) arrived in Sri Lanka, having been banished from his homeland in India. He eventually brought the island under his control and established himself as king. After this, his retinue established villages and colonies throughout the country. One of these was established by Anuradha, a minister of King Vijaya, on the banks of a stream called Kolon and was named Anuradhagama.〔Wijesooriya (2006), p. 20〕 In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) made it his capital and developed it into a prosperous city.〔Blaze (1995), p. 19〕〔Yogasundaram (2008), p. 41〕 Anuradhapura (Anurapura) was named after the minister who first established the village and after a grandfather of Pandukabhaya who lived there. The name was also derived from the city's establishment on the auspicious asterism called Anura.〔Wijesooriya (2006), p. 27〕 Anuradhapura was the capital of all the monarchs who ruled the country during in the Anuradhapura Kingdom, with the exception of Kashyapa I (473–491), who chose Sigiriya to be his capital.〔Bandaranayake (2007), p. 6〕 The city is also marked on Ptolemy's world map.〔Mendis (1999), p. 7〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Anuradhapura Kingdom」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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