Gajabahu I

Gajabahu I
ගජබාහු I
Maharaja [1] A B
King of Anuradhapura
Reignc. 113 – c. 135
PredecessorVankanasika Tissa
SuccessorMahallaka Naga
DynastyLambakanna dynasty
ReligionTheravāda Buddhism

Gajabahu I (Sinhala: ගජබාහු, lit.'Arm of an elephant', [ˈgadʒəba:ɦu]), also known as Gajabahuka Gamani (c. 113 – 135 CE), was a Sinhalese king of Rajarata in Sri Lanka. He is renowned for his military prowess, religious benefactions, extensive involvement in South Indian politics, and for possibly introducing the cult of the goddess Pattini to Sri Lanka. The primary source for his reign is the Mahavamsa, though he is also the only early Sri Lankan king (along with Elara) to be extensively mentioned in the Chera Cilappatikaram (also spelled Silapathikaram).[2][3]

  1. ^ "Ruvanvälisǟya Inscription (No.58)". www.inscriptions.lk.
  2. ^ "LANKALIBRARY FORUM • View topic - Lankan saga of war and peace". Lankalibrary.com. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Dr.Gift Siromoney's Home Page". Cmi.ac.in. Retrieved 17 August 2012.