Yapahuwa Fortress in sri lanka

 

Yapahuwa Fortress is a magnificent kingdom built around a natural rock fortress for defense against enemies, marking a unique milestone in the history of Sri Lanka. Located in the Kurunegala District, close to the Maho railway station, this historical site attracts both local and foreign tourists due to its unique architecture and fascinating history.

Historical Background

Following the collapse of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, the capital of Sri Lanka was relocated to safer destinations to protect it from South Indian invaders. As a result, King Buwanekabahu I (1272–1284 AD) chose Yapahuwa as his kingdom.

The primary value of Yapahuwa lay in its exceptional defensive positioning. The fortress and palace complex were constructed around a single granite rock rising over 100 meters high. The Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, a highly venerated object in Sri Lankan Buddhist history, was also once safely enshrined in this Yapahuwa Kingdom.

Architectural Excellence and Sculpture

The most striking feature of the Yapahuwa Fortress is its royal ornamental stairway (steps) and the elegant gateway. Entirely carved out of stone, it beautifully showcases the exceptional sculpting skills of Sri Lankan craftsmen.

• The Yapahuwa Lion: The lion statues on either side of the staircase differ from other lion sculptures in Sri Lanka, displaying features influenced by Chinese or Cambodian art styles. The unique Yapahuwa Lion depicted on the current 10-rupee note is indeed this statue.

• Stone Carvings: The female dancers, musicians, and various animal figures carved around the gateway and windows are exquisitely detailed.

• Perforated Stone Windows: An extremely famous, intricately carved stone window (known as the Galu Kuluwa or honeycomb window) is currently on display at the museum located on-site.

Defensive Tactics

Yapahuwa was not merely a palace, but a true fortress designed to be virtually inaccessible to enemies.

• Two moats and two earthen ramparts were constructed around the rock.

• The stairway leading up to the palace is extremely steep. It was strategically designed to prevent enemies from climbing easily, while allowing the soldiers stationed at the top to launch attacks with ease.

Collapse of the Kingdom

Following the demise of King Buwanekabahu I, an army led by a commander named Arya Chakravarti from the Pandya Kingdom of South India invaded Yapahuwa. They besieged the fortress and plundered the Sacred Tooth Relic, taking it back to South India. Subsequently, the political significance of Yapahuwa declined, and the capital was shifted to Kurunegala. Later, the site was converted into a forest monastery (Aranya Senasanaya) where Buddhist monks resided.