King Aggabodhi II - House of Moriya | Anuradhapura - (608 - 618) - Sri Lankan History - Kings - Governors - Prisidents

King Aggabodhi II

House of Moriya | Anuradhapura - (608 - 618)

After King Aggabodhi I — who ruled during a great poetic age nourished by literary creation — his grand-nephew, Prince Aggabodhi of Malaya, ascended the throne. Since he was the second ruler to bear that name, he is known as King Aggabodhi II, and in Sinhala chronicles, he is also referred to as Kuda Agbo (“the Younger Agbo”). The king appointed a relative of his queen named Sanghabhadra to the office of Asiggahaka (Keeper of the Sword, a high-ranking royal officer). The Mahavamsa records that this ruler was skilled in “Purvacharittha”, meaning that he was well-versed in the ancient royal customs and traditions of the Sinhala kingdom. As described earlier, the laws and systems observed by the kings of Sri Lanka were based on these traditional principles known as Purvacharittha (the “Ancient Custom”). These customs contained several essential features: <ol data-end="1894" data-start="1197"> <li data-end="1445" data-start="1197"> Establishing peace in the country — Upon ascending the throne, the ruler was obliged to bring peace to the land. Only after quelling rebellions, uprisings, and invasions would the people be able to live calmly and pursue their livelihoods. </li> <li data-end="1638" data-start="1446"> Organizing the system of governance — The administration had to be structured properly, eradicating corruption, bribery, theft, and murder, and ensuring justice through fair judgment. </li> <li data-end="1894" data-start="1639"> Promoting economic development — The king had to work toward the material progress of the nation by constructing reservoirs and canals, building embankments and cultivation systems, planning commercial activities, and improving foreign relations. </li> </ol> On this social foundation, nourished by these reforms and organizations, the religious order and its institutions were to be maintained and strengthened. These were the fundamental aspects of the system of governance that existed in ancient Sri Lanka. Every ruler was bound to uphold these customs, and he himself was expected to be well-versed and disciplined in them. <hr data-end="2284" data-start="2281" /> By the time of King Aggabodhi II, it appears that Bharata (India) was undergoing great political turmoil — the Vālukyas (Chalukyas) were striving to establish an empire. King Pulakeshin II had subdued the Dakshina Patha (the southern region) and was extending his power over that territory. Distressed by the massacres and wars that took place during these conquests, the King of Kalinga, together with his queen and a minister, fled the country seeking refuge in Sri Lanka. King Aggabodhi II received the Kalinga king with kindness, granted him all necessary facilities, and provided him protection. Later, that Kalinga ruler, together with his minister, entered the monastic order under the guidance of the Venerable Jotipala Thera, who at that time was the chief leader of the Sangha. The Kalinga queen also took ordination as a Buddhist nun. The queen of Aggabodhi II became a royal attendant (dasika) to the ordained Kalinga queen. Thus, the act of renunciation by these royal families bore deep spiritual significance. Sometime later, when the venerable Jotipala Thera passed away, the king was overcome with great sorrow. He performed all funeral rites and other related ceremonies with the utmost propriety. <hr data-end="3572" data-start="3569" /> During the reign of King Aggabodhi II, another notable event occurred. While Venerable Jotipala Thera was worshipping at the Thuparama Stupa, the stupa suddenly collapsed. The Thera reported this incident to the king. Alarmed, the king immediately ordered that the sacred relics (Dathu) be removed and temporarily enshrined in the Lohamahapaya until the stupa could be restored. The Mahavamsa further records that the deities, displeased by the king’s delay in completing the restoration, appeared to him in a dream and admonished him. Frightened by this divine warning, the king hastened the work and soon completed the reconstruction of the stupa. When enshrining the relics again, the king dedicated both himself and the entire island to the Sacred Relics — a symbolic act of profound devotion. Apart from this, the chronicles record that the king built many other temples and monasteries. Among these, the construction of the Rajayatana Relic Shrine in Nagadipa (Jaffna) is notable. He also built the Dathaggabodhi House and offered it to the Abhayagiri Vihara, as well as constructed the Kapalanaga Vihara. <hr data-end="4759" data-start="4756" /> King Aggabodhi II also devoted his attention to agricultural and economic development, particularly the construction of reservoirs (wewa). He is credited with building three great tanks — Gangatata, Valahassa, and Giritata. <ul data-end="5775" data-start="5014"> <li data-end="5514" data-start="5014"> The Gangatata Tank is identified as the present-day Kantale Tank, one of the great irrigation works of ancient Sri Lanka. Its embankment is one mile in length and 52½ feet in height. It covered an area of 3,263 acres, had a water capacity of 37,124 acre-feet, and irrigated 4,908 acres of agricultural land. This vast reservoir, located in the Eastern Province, clearly demonstrates the developmental activity of the Sinhalese in the eastern region during the seventh century. </li> <li data-end="5622" data-start="5516"> The Giritata Tank is believed to be the modern Giritale Tank, which is also a large reservoir. </li> <li data-end="5775" data-start="5624"> The Valahassa Tank has not been definitively identified, though some scholars suggest that it may be the Vahalkada Tank of the present day. </li> </ul> However, no confirmation has yet been established through inscriptions or archaeological evidence. Even so, the construction of these three tanks alone reveals the success and productivity of King Aggabodhi II’s reign. The historical records suggest that his rule was peaceful and prosperous. There is no evidence of internal disorder or foreign invasion during his time. The people lived peacefully and pursued their livelihoods in harmony. Yet, after this king’s reign, the conditions of the country began to change, marking the beginning of a new phase in the island’s history. King Aggabodhi II ruled the kingdom for ten years.