# House of Vijaya

The House of Vijaya (also known as the Vijayan dynasty and sometimes referred to as the "Great Dynasty") was the first recorded Sinhalese royal dynasty that ruled over the island, Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lankan historical literature Prince Vijaya is the traditional first king of Sri Lanka, founding the Kingdom of Tambapanni and the dynasty subsequently founding the Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara and finally the Anuradhapura Kingdom.
There were 37 Vijayan monarchs who reigned during a span of 609 years and ruled all but 80 of them. The dynasty ended when Vasabha of the House of Lambakanna I seized power in 66 AD.

## Origins

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.

## Reign
### Tambapanni

According to popular tradition, the Kingdom of Tambapanni was founded by Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers after landing on the island, in a district near modern day Mannar which is believed to be the district of Chilaw, after leaving Suppāraka. It is recorded the Vijaya made his landing on the day of Buddha's death. Vijaya claimed Tambapanni his capital and soon the whole island come under this name. Tambapanni was originally inhabited and governed by Yakkhas, having their capital at Sirīsavatthu and their queen Kuveni. According to the Samyutta Commentary, Tambapanni was one hundred leagues in extent.
After landing in Tambapanni, Vijaya is believed to have met Kuveni, a legendary queen of the yakkhas, who was disguised as a beautiful woman but was really a yakkini (devil) named Sesapathi.
During the end of his reign Vijaya, who was having trouble choosing a successor, sent a letter to the city of his ancestors, Sinhapura, in order to invite his brother Sumitta to take over the throne. However Vijaya had died before the letter had reached its destination so the elected minister of the people Upatissa, the Chief government minister or prime minister and leading chief among the Sinhalese became regent and acted as regent for a year. After his coronation which was held in the Kingdom of Tambapanni, he left it building another one bearing his own name. While his was king, Upatissa established the new capital Upatissagāma, in which the kingdom was moved to from the Kingdom of Tambapanni. When Vijaya's letter arrived Sumitta had already succeeded his father as king of his country, and so he sent his son Panduvasdeva to rule Upatissa Nuwara.
Upatissagāma was seven or eight miles further north of Tambapanni. It was named after the regent king Upatissa, who was the prime minister of Vijaya.

### Anuradhapura

In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) made Anuradhapura his capital and developed it into a prosperous city. 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. Anuradhapura was the capital of all the monarchs who ruled from the dynasty.
The consecration ceremonies and rituals associated with kingship began during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa, under the influence of Ashoka of India. The whole country was brought under the rule of a single monarch by Dutthagamani for the first time. Before this, it had several principalities independent of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. The king of Anuradhapura was seen as the supreme ruler throughout the island, even at times when he did not have absolute control over it.
Several invasions have been made against the Anuradhapura Kingdom, all of which were launched from South India. The first invasion recorded in the history of the country is during the reign of Suratissa (247–237 BC), where he was overthrown by two horse dealers from South India named Sena and Guththika. After ruling the country for 22 years, they were defeated by Asela (215–205 BC), who was in turn overthrown by another invasion led by a Chola prince named Ellalan (205–161 BC). Elara ruled for 44 years before being defeated by Dutthagamani. The country was invaded again in 103 BC by five Dravidian chiefs, who ruled until 89 BC when they were defeated by Valagamba.

## Genealogy

The House of Vijaya claimed a close relationship to the Shakya dynasty, family of the Gautama Buddha.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | King of Kalinga | King of Kalinga | King of Kalinga | King of Kalinga | King of Kalinga | King of Kalinga | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mahasammata line of Kings | Mahasammata line of Kings | Mahasammata line of Kings | Mahasammata line of Kings | Mahasammata line of Kings | Mahasammata line of Kings |
| | | | | King of Vanga | King of Vanga | King of Vanga | King of Vanga | King of Vanga | King of Vanga | | | Princess | Princess | Princess | Princess | Princess | Princess | | | Prince | Prince | Prince | Prince | Prince | Prince | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Jayasena | Jayasena | Jayasena | Jayasena | Jayasena | Jayasena | | | | |
| | | | | The Lion | The Lion | The Lion | The Lion | The Lion | The Lion | | | Suppadevi | Suppadevi | Suppadevi | Suppadevi | Suppadevi | Suppadevi | | | Royal Standard Bearer | Royal Standard Bearer | Royal Standard Bearer | Royal Standard Bearer | Royal Standard Bearer | Royal Standard Bearer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kacchana | Kacchana | Kacchana | Kacchana | Kacchana | Kacchana | | | Sihahanu | Sihahanu | Sihahanu | Sihahanu | Sihahanu | Sihahanu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Yasodhara | Yasodhara | Yasodhara | Yasodhara | Yasodhara | Yasodhara | | | Anjana | Anjana | Anjana | Anjana | Anjana | Anjana | | |
| | | | | Sinhabahu | Sinhabahu | Sinhabahu | Sinhabahu | Sinhabahu | Sinhabahu | | | Sinhasivali | Sinhasivali | Sinhasivali | Sinhasivali | Sinhasivali | Sinhasivali | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amitodana | Amitodana | Amitodana | Amitodana | Amitodana | Amitodana | | | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | Ghattitdana Dhotodana Sukkodana Pamita | | | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | | | Pajapati Suddhodana | Pajapati Suddhodana | Pajapati Suddhodana | Pajapati Suddhodana | Pajapati Suddhodana | Pajapati Suddhodana | | | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | | | Amita | Amita | Amita | Amita | Amita | Amita | | | Suppabuddha | Suppabuddha | Suppabuddha | Suppabuddha | Suppabuddha | Suppabuddha | | | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | Pajapati | | | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | Maya | Dandapani | Dandapani | Dandapani | Dandapani | Dandapani | Dandapani | | |
| Kuveni | Kuveni | Kuveni | Kuveni | Kuveni | Kuveni | | | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | Prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) | | | Vijaya of Pandava | Vijaya of Pandava | Vijaya of Pandava | Vijaya of Pandava | Vijaya of Pandava | Vijaya of Pandava | | | Other Issues | Other Issues | Other Issues | Other Issues | Other Issues | Other Issues | | | Sumitta | Sumitta | Sumitta | Sumitta | Sumitta | Sumitta | | | Princess of Madha | Princess of Madha | Princess of Madha | Princess of Madha | Princess of Madha | Princess of Madha | | | | | | | Pandu | Pandu | Pandu | Pandu | Pandu | Pandu | | | Susima | Susima | Susima | Susima | Susima | Susima | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Siddhartha | Siddhartha | Siddhartha | Siddhartha | Siddhartha | Siddhartha | | | | | | | Subhaddakacchana | Subhaddakacchana | Subhaddakacchana | Subhaddakacchana | Subhaddakacchana | Subhaddakacchana | | | Devadatta | Devadatta | Devadatta | Devadatta | Devadatta | Devadatta | | |
| Jivatissa | Jivatissa | Jivatissa | Jivatissa | Jivatissa | Jivatissa | | | Dissala | Dissala | Dissala | Dissala | Dissala | Dissala | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | | | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | Panduvasdeva (504–474 BC) | | | Bhaddakacchana | Bhaddakacchana | Bhaddakacchana | Bhaddakacchana | Bhaddakacchana | Bhaddakacchana | | | Dighaya | Dighaya | Dighaya | Dighaya | Dighaya | Dighaya | | | | | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | Rama Uruvela Anuradha Vigita Rohana Gamani | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rāhula | Rāhula | Rāhula | Rāhula | Rāhula | Rāhula | | | | |
| | | | | Vedda people | Vedda people | Vedda people | Vedda people | Vedda people | Vedda people | | | | | | | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | Other Issue | | | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | Abhaya (474–454 BC) | | | Tissa (454–437 BC) | Tissa (454–437 BC) | Tissa (454–437 BC) | Tissa (454–437 BC) | Tissa (454–437 BC) | Tissa (454–437 BC) | | | Girikandasiva | Girikandasiva | Girikandasiva | Girikandasiva | Girikandasiva | Girikandasiva | | | Chittra | Chittra | Chittra | Chittra | Chittra | Chittra | | | Dighagamani | Dighagamani | Dighagamani | Dighagamani | Dighagamani | Dighagamani | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Suvannapali | Suvannapali | Suvannapali | Suvannapali | Suvannapali | Suvannapali | | | | | | | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) | Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) | Mutasiva of Anuradhapura (367–307 BC) |
| | | | | | | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) | | | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | Uttiya (267–257 BC) | | | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | | | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | | | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | Mahasiva (257–247 BC) | | | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | Suratissa (247–237 BC) | | | Asela (215–205 BC) | Asela (215–205 BC) | Asela (215–205 BC) | Asela (215–205 BC) | Asela (215–205 BC) | Asela (215–205 BC) | | | Mattabhaya | Mattabhaya | Mattabhaya | Mattabhaya | Mattabhaya | Mattabhaya | | | Asoka | Asoka | Asoka | Asoka | Asoka | Asoka | | | Uddhachulabhaya | Uddhachulabhaya | Uddhachulabhaya | Uddhachulabhaya | Uddhachulabhaya | Uddhachulabhaya | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | Uttiya | Uttiya | Uttiya | Uttiya | Uttiya | Uttiya | | | Tissa | Tissa | Tissa | Tissa | Tissa | Tissa | | | Gothabhaya | Gothabhaya | Gothabhaya | Gothabhaya | Gothabhaya | Gothabhaya | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Vihara Devi | Vihara Devi | Vihara Devi | Vihara Devi | Vihara Devi | Vihara Devi | | | Kakavanna Tissa | Kakavanna Tissa | Kakavanna Tissa | Kakavanna Tissa | Kakavanna Tissa | Kakavanna Tissa | | | | | | | | | | | Second wife | Second wife | Second wife | Second wife | Second wife | Second wife | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | Dutugamunu (161–137 BC) | | | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | Anula | | | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | Saddha Tissa (137–119 BC) | | | Dighabhaya | Dighabhaya | Dighabhaya | Dighabhaya | Dighabhaya | Dighabhaya | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Asokamala | Asokamala | Asokamala | Asokamala | Asokamala | Asokamala | | | Saliya | Saliya | Saliya | Saliya | Saliya | Saliya | | | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | Thulatthana (119–119 BC) | | | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | Lanja Tissa (119–109 BC) | | | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | Khallata Naga (109–104 BC) | | | Anuladevi | Anuladevi | Anuladevi | Anuladevi | Anuladevi | Anuladevi | | | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | Valagamba (104–103 BC) (89–76 BC) | | | Somadevi | Somadevi | Somadevi | Somadevi | Somadevi | Somadevi | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | Mahakuli Mahatissa (76–62 BC) | | | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | Chora Naga (62–50 BC) | | | Anula (47–42 BC) | Anula (47–42 BC) | Anula (47–42 BC) | Anula (47–42 BC) | Anula (47–42 BC) | Anula (47–42 BC) | | | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | Mahanaga | | | | | | | | | | | Siva I (47 BC) | Siva I (47 BC) | Siva I (47 BC) | Siva I (47 BC) | Siva I (47 BC) | Siva I (47 BC) | | | Vatuka (47 BC) | Vatuka (47 BC) | Vatuka (47 BC) | Vatuka (47 BC) | Vatuka (47 BC) | Vatuka (47 BC) | | | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC) | | | Niliya (47 BC) | Niliya (47 BC) | Niliya (47 BC) | Niliya (47 BC) | Niliya (47 BC) | Niliya (47 BC) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | Kuda Tissa (50–47 BC) | | | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | Kutakanna Tissa (42–20 BC) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC–9 AD) | | | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | Mahadathika Mahanaga (9–21) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | Amandagamani Abhaya (21–30) | | | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | Kanirajanu Tissa (30–33) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Chulabhaya (33–35) | Chulabhaya (33–35) | Chulabhaya (33–35) | Chulabhaya (33–35) | Chulabhaya (33–35) | Chulabhaya (33–35) | | | Sivali (35–35) | Sivali (35–35) | Sivali (35–35) | Sivali (35–35) | Sivali (35–35) | Sivali (35–35) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ilanaga (38–44) | Ilanaga (38–44) | Ilanaga (38–44) | Ilanaga (38–44) | Ilanaga (38–44) | Ilanaga (38–44) | | | Mahamatta | Mahamatta | Mahamatta | Mahamatta | Mahamatta | Mahamatta | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Chandamukha (44–52) | Chandamukha (44–52) | Chandamukha (44–52) | Chandamukha (44–52) | Chandamukha (44–52) | Chandamukha (44–52) | | | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |