Dakkhina Stupa
Dakkhina Stupa also called Dakkhina Tupa is a 2nd-century BC structure. This structure currently identified as a Buddhist stupa, but considered until the mid-1800s CE as Elara Sohona, the tomb of 2nd century BCE Tamil king Elara, who invaded Sri Lanka from the Chola Kingdom, in the Tamil country and ruled in Anurahapura.
History
There was a belief that this tomb was built by King Duttugemunu, to honour King Elara, who had ruled justly. But today, it is identified as stupa, Dakkhina Stupa.
It was constructed by Uttiya, a Minister of King Valagamba, in the Ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Kanittha Tissa had build an alms hall, King Gottabhaya built an uposathagaraya, where the bhikkhis assembled for the ceremony of confession, while King Agbo I constructed a large building. Human bones collected at the site were sent to France for scientific analysis, which revealed that these did belong to King Dutugemunu.
For a long time this structure was considered the monumental tomb, King Dutugemunu had built for King Elara, after defeating him in battle. But in the mid-19th centuries James Fergusson a Scottish architect and writer who studied History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, had mentioned this structure could not be an Elara's tomb .[1]
Based on his document, the archaeological department of Sri Lanka, have renamed the structure as stupha. This new identification and reclassification is considered controversial and disputed historical conceptualization in Sri Lankan history.[2][3]
See also
Notes
- ↑ History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, By James Fergusson First edition, 1876
- ↑ Harichandra, The sacred city of Anuradhapura, p. 19
- ↑ Indrapala, K. The Evolution of an ethnic identity: The Tamils of Sri Lanka, p. 368