Kashyapa I

Kashyapa I (Kasyapa I)
King of Anuradhapura
Reign473–495
PredecessorDhatusena
SuccessorMoggallana
Bornc.448
Died495 (aged 46-47)
IssuePrincess Bodhi
Princess Uthpalawanna
HouseHouse of Maurya
DynastyMoriya
FatherDhatusena
MotherA non-royal wife of King Dhatusena

Kashyapa I, also known as Kasyapa I or Kassapa I, was a king of Sri Lanka, who ruled the country from 473 to 495 CE. He was the second king of the royal Moriya dynasty of Sri Lanka. Kashyapa is credited with the construction of the Sigiriya citadel and the surrounding city.[1][2][3] He acquired the throne by overthrowing his father, King Dhatusena, and usurping his brother and rightful heir to the throne, Moggallana, in a palace coup. He imprisoned and later immured his father. Kashyapa was also known as Pithru Ghathaka Kashyapa (Kashyapa the Patricide), after this incident. He was later defeated by Moggallana, who had fled to South India and returned with an army to regain the throne. Kashyapa was killed in the battle that ensued.

  1. ^ Bandaranayake, Senake (1999). Sigiriya. Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka. pp. 5, 6. ISBN 955-613-111-6.
  2. ^ Ponnamperuma, Senani (2013). The Story of Sigiriya. Melbourne, Australia: Panique Pty Ltd. pp. 19–22. ISBN 9780987345110.
  3. ^ Mihindukulasuroya Susantha Fernando (2005-10-29). "Mysteries of Sigiriya and its landscape garden". Daily News. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2008-10-26.