Rajarata, or the country of the kings, was the most important region in ancient Sri Lanka, at least from about 500 B.C. It stretches from the northernmost part of the country to the central highlands and Mahaweli River and Deduru Oya marked its borders with the Ruhuna and Maya Rata respectively.
Cradle of the Ancient Civilization
According to chronicles such as Mahavamsa, Anuradhapura, situated in the North Central parts in Sri Lanka was the ancient capital for more than 1300 years until the 11th Century A.D. But there is evidence of an older civilization in the area. It was a thriving civilization around 7th Century B.C., if not even before that.
Rajarata and much of Ruhunu Rata in the South and East are in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. They were the ‘rice-lands’ of the ancients. Even though proper accounts are absent, a population of at least 3-4 million could have been supported at that time. Ancient Sri Lanka possessed a unique irrigation system and a sustainable environmental policy. Buddhism may have also helped to enhance the quality of life especially in the early part of the Rajarata civilization.
Political Instability
Then, in the 11th Century, things went backwards rapidly. By the 13th Century, the whole of Rajarata was largely abandoned.
Signs of decline, especially in the political arena, were to be seen even from 7th Century A.D. Dynastic rivalries between numerous princes was the main cause. The chronicle Hatthavanagallaviharavamsa gives a description pin pointing the dominating factor for decline at that time. It says that the Lords of Lanka who were endowed with immensely meritorious and miraculous prowess, who were devoted to the triple gem passed away, the other lords who had gone astray from the path of justice and were weaklings took their place. The ministers of similar nature were living embroiled in mutual antagonism.
Although this is written on the last two decades of Polonnaruwa period, these signs were present from several centuries back. Rival princes used mercenaries to seize power and once they had done the job, the soldiers settled in the island. At times of invasions, they became a potential debilitating factor for the local kings. When the central power was weak, this became even more prominent.
The Cholas invaded and occupied Rajarata in late 10th century and were expelled by Vijayabahu I only in 1070. he moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. Parakramabahu I was the greatest king in Polonnaru period. After his death, there were many kingmakers who ruled through puppet monarchs. Also, there were many invasions, culminating in the invasion of Kalinga Magha in 1215.
Effect on the Irrigation System
The wars of Parakramabahu I had long lasting repercussions on the economy of the country, from which it never recovered in the times of Rajarata civilization. The weak central authority also affected the economy negatively.
Ancient Rajarata and Ruhuna were dependent on the irrigation system. There were many small village scale reservoirs called “vewa” and some vewas were much larger. The maintenance of this system required a large labour force. Foreign invasions and political instability had a large negative impact to this aspect.
The Effect of Malaria
Malaria has been accused of being the main cause for the fall of the Rajarata civilization by some scholars. The fact that malaria was an important factor is clear. The spreading of the disease must have been facilitated by the unattended irrigation systems. But whether it caused the initial abandonment remains a contentious point. However, it is clear that malaria prevented the population from reclaiming the lands of Rajarata until the 20th century.
Sources
The Collapse of the Rajarata Civilization in Ceylon and the Drift to the South-West (ed. Indrapala, K.), University of Ceylon, Peradeniya (1971)
Basnayake H. T., Purana Srilankave Jala Shishtacharaya (The hydro-civilization of Ancient Sri Lanka). Gunasena, Colombo (1997 edition)
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