374 THE SINGHALESE CHRONICLES. [PART III. 



CHAP VIII. 

 EXTINCTION OF THE " GREAT DYNASTY." 



EC. ]? ROM the death of Dutugaimunu to the exhaustion 

 of the superior dynasty on the death of Maha-Sen, A.D. 

 301, there are few demonstrations of pious munificence 

 to signalise the policy of the intervening sovereigns. 

 The king whom, next to Devenipiatissa and Dutugai- 

 munu, the Buddhist historians rejoice to exalt as one 

 of the champions of the faith, was Walagam-bahu I. 1 , 

 whose reign, though marked by vicissitudes, was pro- 

 ductive of lasting benefit to the national faith. Wala- 

 gam-bahu ascended the throne B.C. 104., but was almost 

 immediately forced to abdicate by an incursion of the 

 Malabars. Concerting a simultaneous landing at several 

 parts of the island, the invaders combined their movements 

 so successfully that they seized on Anarajapoora, and 

 drove the king into concealment in the mountains near 

 Adam's Peak ; and whilst one portion of them re- 

 turned laden with plunder to the Dekkan, their com- 

 panions remained behind and held undisputed possession 

 of the northern parts of Ceylon for nearly fifteen 

 years. 



In this and the frequent incursions which followed, 

 the Malabar leaders were attracted by the wealth of 

 the country to the north of the Mahawelli-ganga, the 

 southern portion of the island being either too wild 

 and unproductive to present a temptation to conquest, 

 or too steep and inaccessible to afford facilities for in- 

 vasion. Besides, the highlanders who inhabit the lofty 

 ranges that lie around Adam's Peak (a district known 



Called in the Mahawanso, u Wata-gamini." 



