Parakramabahu I

MedievalEmperorSri Lanka1123 — 1186

Greatest Sinhalese king, unified Sri Lanka.

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Quick Facts

Born

1123

Died

1186

Country

Sri Lanka

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)82

Political (20%)72

Influence (20%)61

Legacy (20%)52

Leadership (15%)82

Strategy (15%)65

Total Score66.1

Parakramabahu I — Complete Timeline

1153 AD

Unification of Sri LankaWar

Parakramabahu I unified the entire island of Sri Lanka under his rule after a series of military campaigns. He defeated the rulers of Ruhuna and other regional kingdoms, ending a period of fragmentation.

Impact: national

1160 AD

Construction of Parakrama SamudraOther◆ Major

Parakramabahu I constructed the Parakrama Samudra, a massive man-made sea of interconnected tanks and canals near Polonnaruwa. This irrigation system, covering over 5,000 acres, was a major engineering achievement.

Impact: regionalconstructive

1165 AD

Invasion of BurmaWar◆ Major

Parakramabahu I launched a naval invasion of Burma (Pagan Kingdom) in retaliation for a trade dispute. The Sinhalese fleet captured the port of Kusumiya and sacked the city, demonstrating Sri Lanka's naval power.

Impact: regional

Reform of the Buddhist SanghaReform◆ Major

Parakramabahu I convened a council to purify the Buddhist Sangha. He expelled corrupt monks and re-established discipline, strengthening Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Impact: nationalconstructive

1170 AD

Construction of Polonnaruwa VatadageCultural◆ Major

Parakramabahu I built the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, a circular relic house for the Tooth Relic of the Buddha. This structure is considered a masterpiece of Sinhalese architecture.

Impact: nationalconstructive