THE SINGHALESE CHRONICLES. [PART III. 



CHAP. V. 



SINGHALESE CHIVALRY. ELALA AND DUTUGAIMUNU. 



B.C. FOR nearly a century after the accession of Devenipia- 

 289 - tissa, the religion and the social development of Ceylon 

 thus exhibited an equally steady advancement. The 

 B.C. cousins of the king, three of whom ascended the throne 

 266 - in succession, seem to have vied with each other in 

 works of piety and utility. Wiharas were built in all 

 parts of the island, both north and south of the Maha- 

 welli-ganga. Dagobas were raised in various places, 

 and cultivation was urged forward by the formation 

 of tanks and canals. But, during this period, from 

 the fact of the Bengal immigrants being employed in 

 more congenial or more profitable occupations (pos- 

 sibly also from the numbers who were annually devoting 

 themselves to the service of the temples), and from 

 the ascertained inaptitude of the native Singhalese to 

 bear arms, a practice was commenced of retaining 

 foreign mercenaries, which, even at that early period, 

 was productive of animosity and bloodshed, and in 

 process of time led to the overthrow of the Wijayan 

 dynasty and the gradual decay of the Sinhala sovereignty. 

 The genius of the Gangetic race, which had taken 

 possession of Ceylon, was essentially adapted to agricul- 

 tural pursuits in which, in their own country, to the pre- 

 sent day, their superiority is apparent over the less ener- 

 getic tribes of the Dekkan. Busied with such employments, 

 the early colonists had no leisure for military service ; 

 besides, whilst Devenipia-tissa and his successors were 

 earnestly engaged in the formation of religious com- 

 munities, and the erection of sacred edifices in the 



