Sinhalese Kingdom of Anuradh

Flag of Anuradh

Anuradh, officially the **Sinhalese Kingdom of Anuradh** (Sinhala: Anurād Siṁhala Rājadhāniya) is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of the North, and southeast of the Persian Sea; it is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Malaya and the Palk Strait. Anuradh has no maritime or land borders. The capital and largest city of the nation is Rahuna, located on the southern coast.

## Toponymy

The island was first named Tambapanni (Sinhala for red-hands) by ancient Indian tribes, due to the island's rich red soil. Other peoples had similar names for the island. In the second century AD, the island picked up the name Serendib, by travellers from Arabia. This is to this date the name of the physical island that Anuradh is situated on.

The name of the nation entity has changed over the years to reflect the different dynasties that ruled the land. The current name of Anuradh is derived from the First Raja Anuradhana, who fought for the liberty of the Sinhalese peoples over the Tamil Indian overlords. The reason the name wasn't changed after the Coup of 498 was to honour a great freedom fighter, rather than abandon their legacy just because of some bad decisions in his ruling years.

## History

### Pre-History

The first peoples came to Serendib approximately 50,000 years BC, and the first complex societies are believed to have began around 1000 BC. During this period Serendib had many ties to mainland South India, especially culturally and economically. These peoples would eventually form the Tamil ethnic group, the former natives in Serendib.

### Old History

The arrival of Bengalese colonists to the area around 500 BCE dramatically affected Serendibic society. Disease and genocide by the Bengalese reduced the native populations by 98%, and caused most Tamils to flee to South Indian land. The Tamil kings of that area frequently launched raids and attacks on Bengalese cities. The colony grew culturally, economically, and eventually politically separate to the Bengals, which culminated in a declaration of independence. The Bengal Empire, facing internal unrest and external threats, let the colony go. The Kingdom of Sudlanaka was formed.

It was not a stable nor prosperous nation however, and power rapidly changed hands. This was the Period of a Dozen Kings, where the average lifespan of a monarch was just 8 years. By 20 AD, legendary Tamil conqueror Vijaya II took control of the island, and committed horrific crimes on the Sinhalese majority. The Tamil dictatorship over the island was bloody, and terrible for the Sinhalese. This reignited the divide between the ethnicities. Eventually the peasant Anuradhana led a brutal revolt. The war lasted 20 years, and is estimated to have killed 20% of the entire population, including 95% of the Tamil minority. His most senior backers were given noble positions, and the Anuradh Kingdom was born.

However, it would soon be known that while Anuradhana was truly a great general, and a very apt public speaker, he was not much of a ruler. For his whole reign he had to balance interests and the public opinion, and made some bad calls along the way. At the start of his regime, public opinion and the opinion of his nobles was overwhelmingly in favour of pushing into Tamil territory. He refused, citing the very real concern of reconstruction. He further hurt his image throughout his reign, and it was widely known the nobility was plotting the end to his rule. In 497 AD, the *Andukara (Governor)* of Rahuna Sajith Wijeratne publicly announced the ultimatum: The Raja must abdicate immediately or face the might of Anuradh. Anuradhana chose to surrender, and was exiled. The new (and current) Raja Sajith Wijeratne promised to seek vengeance on the Tamils, bring prosperity to Anuradh, and strengthen international ties. Time will tell what he can do.

## Geography

Serendib is a fairly flat island, although there are mountain ranges reaching over two and a half kilometres high in the south. There are many inland rivers, which cause the lush jungles and plains that stretch over the whole island. Some of the most plentiful natural resources include \_\_\_\_.

### Marine

There are also many natural harbours and coral reefs, especially in the north. The Palk Strait between Serendib and mainland India is extremely shallow, being under a metre deep in some places. This is also the home of limestone shoals, believed to have once been a land bridge before climate change and cyclones sunk it. Fish are plentiful, especially in the east where the Serendib island falls away to the Indian Ocean.

### Climate

The Anuradhi climate is tropical and warm, but fairly moderate due to the ocean winds. The average temperature ranges from 10 degrees in the southern highlands to 30 degrees in the tropical northern regions. Large amounts of rain fall, especially in the central areas, influenced by the monsoon winds from Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

## Government & Politics

Anuradh is an absolute feudal monarchy, with a Raja functioning as Head of State. There is no Constitution and no de jure separation of powers, but the nobility act as a de facto check on the Raja.

### Executive

The Executive is made up of the Raja and his appointed court. There are traditionally 9 advisors, each leading people in their fields. They can be fired and appointed on the whim of the Raja, and hold no active legal power. They merely advise the Raja on their topics of expertise.

### Legislative and Nobility

The Raja rules by royal decree, but it is customary to ask for the opinions of the nobles. Due to much of the actual responsibility to execute the decrees falling on the noble class (the *utum*), they hold significant weight politically. The Raja also knows that they rely on the nobles, and if they decided to they could easily oust him, especially if the Raja is not popular with the outside public. Noble titles are hereditary, and noble subdivisions can be created by higher ranking nobility.

### Judicial

There is a Supreme Court which functions as a national court, but it is at the mercy of the Raja. It is effectively a way for the Raja to enforce his will. Provincial courts are often set up by nobles, but they too end up being mere tools of the nobles.