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The Dawn of the Thambapanni Kingdom in Sri Lanka (543 BCE)
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In the year 543 BCE, a significant event unfolded in the history of Sri Lanka—the establishment of the Thambapanni Kingdom, marking the beginning of recorded civilization on the island. According to Sri Lankan chronicles, particularly the Mahavamsa (the "Great Chronicle"), this event is tied to the legendary arrival of Prince Vijaya and his followers from northern India.
The Mahavamsa recounts that Prince Vijaya, an exiled prince from the kingdom of Sinhapura (in present-day Bengal or Odisha, India), landed on the shores of Sri Lanka with 700 followers after being banished for his unruly behavior. They arrived near Thambapanni (modern-day Mannar or Puttalam), named for the reddish-brown sand (thamba meaning copper, panni meaning sand).
Upon arrival, Vijaya and his followers encountered the indigenous Yakkha (possibly referring to early Vedda people or other tribal groups). After initial conflicts, Vijaya established dominance and founded a settlement, which became the nucleus of the Thambapanni Kingdom. He was crowned as the first king, and his reign laid the foundation for the Sinhalese civilization.
The Thambapanni Kingdom set the stage for the Anuradhapura Kingdom, which would rise as a major power in Sri Lanka. The story of Vijaya remains a foundational myth, symbolizing the island's deep historical and cultural ties to India.
Note: While the Mahavamsa provides a vivid narrative, modern archaeology continues to uncover earlier settlements (like those of the Balangoda culture), suggesting a more complex pre-Vijayan history of Sri Lanka.
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