Rajarata (Sinhala: රජරට, romanized: rajaraṭa (IPA: [rad͡ʒəraʈə]); Tamil: ரஜரட, romanized: rajaraṭa; meaning "King's country") was one of three historical regions of the island of Sri Lanka for about 1,700 years from the 6th century BCE to the early 13th century CE.[1] Several ancient cities, including Tambapanni, Upatissa Nuwara, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, were established as capitals within the area by successive rulers.[2] Rajarata was under the direct administration of the King (raja/king, rata/country). Two other areas, Mayarata and Ruhunurata, were ruled by the king's brothers "Mapa" and "Epa"[citation needed] . The Magha invasion in the 13th century brought about the end of the Rajarata kingdom.[3][4]