Culavamsa
Encyclopedia
The Cūḷavaṃsa, also Chulavamsa, (Pāli: "Lesser Chronicle
") is a historical record, written in the Pāli
language, of the kings
of Sri Lanka
. It covers the period from the 4th century to 1815.
The Culavamsa was compiled over many years by Sinhala
Buddhist monks. It is generally considered to be a sequel to the Mahavamsa
("Great Chronicle") written in the 6th century by the monk Mahanama. The Mahavamsa and the Culavamsa are sometimes thought of as a single work (referred to as the "Mahavamsa") spanning over two millennia of Sri Lanka
n history.
The Culavamsa is divided into two parts. The first part begins with the 4th century arrival in Sri Lanka of a relic
, said to be a tooth of Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism
) and continues to the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153 – 1186). While the authorship of the first part is traditionally ascribed to the monk Dhammakitti, many historians now believe it to be a collaborative effort, written by a number of monks. The second part, written over many years, continues the history of the Sri Lankan monarchy until its end in 1815, when Sri Lanka was transferred to the British Empire
.
A German translation of the Culavamsa was completed by Wilhelm Geiger
in 1930. This was subsequently translated into English by Mabel Haynes Bode, and the English translation was revised by Geiger.
into German. In 1929 an English edition was published by Oxford University Press, translated by C.M. Rickmers.
Tradition has it that the work was compiled by the monk Dhammakitti, who Geiger regards as 'a man of literary culture...acquainted with Indian Niti
literature'. He regards 'the history of Parakkama [sic] as the real kernel, the main subject of the Culavamsa', much in the same way that Dutugemunu's life is the major part of the Mahavamsa.
Geiger believes that it is not possible 'to form a harmonious and credible picture of the single acts attributed to the youthful Parakkama [sic]' simply from the information presented in the Lesser Chornicle. The explanation for this lies in the writer's approach to history:
That there is a certain amount of truth contained in the text is corroborated by numerous carvings, edicts and monuments still extant in Sri Lanka today - e.g., Parakramabahu's wars with Gajabahu and Manabharana are attested to by at least one rock-carving from this period. Furthermore Geiger also believes that the Culavamsa 'does not consciously relate...false [information]'.
Chronicle
Generally a chronicle is a historical account of facts and events ranged in chronological order, as in a time line. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the...
") is a historical record, written in the Pāli
Páli
- External links :* *...
language, of the kings
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. It covers the period from the 4th century to 1815.
The Culavamsa was compiled over many years by Sinhala
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
Buddhist monks. It is generally considered to be a sequel to the Mahavamsa
Mahavamsa
The Mahavamsa is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka...
("Great Chronicle") written in the 6th century by the monk Mahanama. The Mahavamsa and the Culavamsa are sometimes thought of as a single work (referred to as the "Mahavamsa") spanning over two millennia of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n history.
The Culavamsa is divided into two parts. The first part begins with the 4th century arrival in Sri Lanka of a relic
Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder of Buddhism.-The relic in India:...
, said to be a tooth of Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
) and continues to the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153 – 1186). While the authorship of the first part is traditionally ascribed to the monk Dhammakitti, many historians now believe it to be a collaborative effort, written by a number of monks. The second part, written over many years, continues the history of the Sri Lankan monarchy until its end in 1815, when Sri Lanka was transferred to the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
A German translation of the Culavamsa was completed by Wilhelm Geiger
Wilhelm Geiger
Wilhelm Ludwig Geiger was a German Orientalist, in the fields of Indian and Iranian languages. He was known as a specialist in Pali, Sinhala language and the Dhivehi language of the Maldives.-Life:...
in 1930. This was subsequently translated into English by Mabel Haynes Bode, and the English translation was revised by Geiger.
Significance
The primary source for Parakramabahu's reign is the Culavamsa, or 'Lesser Chronicle', of Sri Lanka. The foremost translation of this work was that of William Geiger from PaliPáli
- External links :* *...
into German. In 1929 an English edition was published by Oxford University Press, translated by C.M. Rickmers.
Tradition has it that the work was compiled by the monk Dhammakitti, who Geiger regards as 'a man of literary culture...acquainted with Indian Niti
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
literature'. He regards 'the history of Parakkama [sic] as the real kernel, the main subject of the Culavamsa', much in the same way that Dutugemunu's life is the major part of the Mahavamsa.
Geiger believes that it is not possible 'to form a harmonious and credible picture of the single acts attributed to the youthful Parakkama [sic]' simply from the information presented in the Lesser Chornicle. The explanation for this lies in the writer's approach to history:
That there is a certain amount of truth contained in the text is corroborated by numerous carvings, edicts and monuments still extant in Sri Lanka today - e.g., Parakramabahu's wars with Gajabahu and Manabharana are attested to by at least one rock-carving from this period. Furthermore Geiger also believes that the Culavamsa 'does not consciously relate...false [information]'.