Archaeologists translate stone inscriptions from 1st century BC-by Leenah Wahab

An ancient lithic inscription found at the Dimbulagala Namal Pokuna is shedding new light on Sri Lanka’s socio-political and religious history during the pre-Christian era in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. This monumental discovery was discussed at an event titled ‘Sri Lanka’s History Renewed by Dimbulagala Inscription’ organised by the Press Council of Sri Lanka and was attended by Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Professor Thusitha Mendis, Professor Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Professor Ratnasiri Arangala and Dr. Arjuna Thantilage.
The researchers recited anecdotes of how the group of archaeologists had to travel far onto a mountain, reading the inscriptions using a torch at night and drinking water they found in the forest for more than 1.5 months.
The inscription, written in Early Brahmi script, consists of 23 identifiable characters, along with two non-Brahmi symbols, and is believed to date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, according to Professor Hettiarachchi. Although the text has weathered over time, with portions illegible, the Department of Archaeology used digital and multispectral imaging to reconstruct much of the original content, allowing the stone to come alive and retell its forgotten story from thousands of years ago, This antediluvian inscription believed to be the oldest lithic record of large-scale donations made in the name of Buddhism, or Sasana, highlights the political dynamics of early Sri Lanka, recording details about royal members, donations to Buddhist institutions, and the organisation of lands and resources during the period.

History, they say, is written by the victors- but this inscription offers a more nuanced view of Sri Lanka’s ancient political landscape. It chronicles the reigns of King Tissa, King Kavan Tissa, and King Saddhatissa, who ruled the region between 137 and 119 BCE. The text further sheds light on the influence of the ‘Kataragama generation’, a group of rulers from the southernmost part of the island. According to epigraphic evidence, this group maintained connections with the rulers of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, although the specific lineage appears to differ from the mainstream historical record.

The fifth line of the inscription provides details about a ruling family consisting of three generations: a father, son, and grandson who governed a territory called Devamusika. It also references King Gamani Asali and his son Siva, as well as another prince named Suratissa, son of Siva. The Mahawamsa portrays the three younger brothers of Devanampiyatissa, Suratissa and Asela. Suratissa was later defeated by two horse traders named Sena and Guttika.

At the heart of the inscription lies an unwavering devotion to Buddhism. The stone records an array of donations made to the Buddhist Sangha, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between religion and politics. Kings and nobles alike funnelled land, wealth and resources into these religious institutions. King Tissa, for example, is credited with the allocation of no less than 100 plots of land to the monasteries, a gesture symbolic of religious patronage.

Moreover, the inscription names several financial institutions, including the ‘atana’ and ‘mulatana,’ which played a key role in the administration of funds collected for religious purposes. This reinforces the importance of religious patronage in the socio-economic structure of the early Anuradhapura regime.

Aside from political and religious content, the inscription provides critical insights into the economic systems of the time. It outlines the division of land, the collection of revenue, and the distribution of resources to different individuals and groups. In particular, the sixth line mentions an allotment of land (referred to as “talaka varadi”) and the role of collective family income in supporting religious institutions.

The inscription also lists various professionals and workers, including Brahmins, artisans, horsemen, lapidaries, and slaves, offering a glimpse into the social hierarchy and labour dynamics of the time. Notably, it documents the involvement of slaves in constructing religious facilities and their role in the broader economy. Professor Mendis encouraged more research into the origins of letters and studies of ancient alphabets in unearthing further discoveries in the future.