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Parakramabahu I
Reign: 1153 – 1186
Born : 1123
Birthplace: Punkhagama
Died: 1186
Place of death : Polonnaruwa
Predecessor : Gajabahu II
Successor : Vijayabâhu II
Consort Queen : Lilavati
Royal House : Polonnaruwa Kingdom
Father: King Manabharana
Mother: Queen Ratnavali
Parakramabahu I (Sinhala: Maha Parakramabahu (Parakramabahu the Great 1123–1186) was king of Sri Lanka from 1153–1186. During his reign from his capital Polonnaruwa, he unified the three sub kingdoms of the island, becoming one of the last monarchs in Sri Lankan history to do so. He oversaw the expansion and beautification of his capital, constructed extensive irrigation systems, reorganized the country's army, reformed Buddhist practices, encouraged the arts and undertook military campaigns in southern India and in Myanmar. The adage "not even a little water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to man" is one of his most famous utterances.
Parākramabāhu spent much of his youth in the courts of his uncles Kitti Sri Megha and Sri Vallabha, the kings of the principalities of Dakkinadesa and Ruhuna respectively, as well as in the court of the King of Rajarata, Gajabahu II. He succeeded his uncle Kitti as king of Dhakkinadesa around 1140 and over the next decade improved both Dhakkinadesa's infrastructure and military. Following a protracted civil war, he secured power over the entire island around 1153 and remained in this position until his death in 1186. During Parākramabāhu's reign, he launched a punitive campaign against the kings of Myanmar, aided the Pandyas against the Chola Empire in southern India and maintained extensive trade relations with China and countries in the Middle East.[4] Within the island, he consecrated religious monuments, built hospitals, social welfare units, canals and large reservoirs, such as the Sea of Parakrama.
Last edited by Gamaya; 02-20-2009 at 12:59 PM..
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