King Kasyapa : කාශ්‍යප රජු

King Kasyapa and the Marvel of Sigiriya

The citadel of Sigiriya is, possibly, the most famous historical icon of Sri Lanka. Created on an almost sheer rock rising from the plains of Anuradhapura, the citadel is a marvel of ancient architecture. But the most important and mysterious aspect of Sigiriya are its unfading rock frescoes. These beautiful paintings have not lost their color in over a thousand years and have been the marvel of archaeologists and researchers from around the world. Despite this, the story of the king who created and ruled this citadel is not very well known.

The Beginnings of King Kasyapa

Kasyapa I, or Kassapa I as he is also known, was born as the eldest son of King Dhatusena in the middle of the 5th century AD. He was talented in politics, war strategies, and the arts as a prince ought to be; but luck was not on his side. Despite being born the eldest, he was the son of one of the king’s concubines, and his younger stepbrother, who was the son of the royal consort, was declared the rightful heir. Kasyapa felt that the crown prince Moggallana was a coward and not fit for the throne. He resented the fact that he had been ignored.

A Plan is Hatched

Meanwhile, Kasyapa’s father, King Dhatusena, had an army commander named Migara. This commander had a disagreement with the king and sought vengeance. Migara, cunning and strategic, knew Prince Kasyapa’s feelings about not being nominated as heir. He incited the prince to rebel against his father.

Assisted and encouraged by Migara, Kasyapa staged a palace coup. He overthrew King Dhatusena and usurped the throne in 473 AD. The former king was imprisoned, while Kasyapa I became the second king of the Mauryan Dynasty of Sri Lanka. Crown Prince Moggallana fled to India to save his own life, seemingly proving Kasyapa’s judgment of his cowardice true. Kasyapa’s rule might have been relatively stable if not for the deceitful Migara, who was not satisfied with merely overthrowing the king; he wanted him dead.

A Loss of Temper and the Results of Bad Decisions

Migara made Kasyapa believe that the former king Dhatusena had hidden an enormous amount of wealth. Misled by Migara, Kasyapa demanded that the imprisoned king reveal all his treasures. The king, looking at him sadly, led him to Kalawewa, an irrigation tank that he had constructed, and said, "This is the only treasure I have." Blinded by greed and pride, Kasyapa became incensed by this response and ordered his father to be entombed alive within the wall of the irrigation tank—or so the story goes. Another version states that Kasyapa had Dhatusena killed and walled up the body within a random wall.

This cruel decision earned Kasyapa the enmity of the public and the priests. They called him Pithru Gathaka Kasyapa (Patricidal Kasyapa) and spewed vitriol at him. Fearing rebel action from either the people or his stepbrother Moggallana, King Kasyapa sought a more secure location for his citadel.

Sigiriya is Born

Kasyapa discovered a large, roughly lion-shaped rock that rose almost vertically out of the plains of Anuradhapura. He had a large citadel and an elaborate city built on the sides of the rock, with his palace constructed on the top. The lion-like protrusions were carved more elaborately, and he named the rock Sigiriya, or Lion Hill.

Sigiriya reflected the king’s taste for an artistic and luxurious lifestyle. There were large beautiful gardens with numerous pools, fountains, and other structures; a complex underground irrigation system supplied water to the pools and fountains; the famous Mirror Wall, which was shiny enough to see one’s face in its heyday; and wonderful frescoes of heavenly maidens carrying flowers.

Despite its comforts, Sigiriya had enhanced defenses, allowing unhindered views of the nearby plains. Large ramparts and moats were built around the city, providing protection. Sigiriya lived up to its name as the new capital with its strategic advantage for the defenders during an attack.

The Fall of Kasyapa

Though King Kasyapa did his best to protect his kingdom, his efforts proved in vain. In 495 AD, over twenty years after the beginning of his reign, Kasyapa’s stepbrother Moggallana invaded with an army from South India to claim the throne. A fierce battle ensued on the plains of Anuradhapura, and Kasyapa, lacking support among his own people, was overwhelmed by the foreign forces and lost. Not wishing to be captured and tortured, King Kasyapa I fell on his own sword and killed himself. His stepbrother Moggallana was enthroned after him and became King Moggallana I.