JOURNAL 



OF THE 



ASIATIC SOCIETY 



MARCH, 1847. 



On the Ruins of Anuradhapura, formerly the capital of Ceylon, by 

 William Knighton, author of the " History of Ceylon,'* and 

 late Secretary, Ceylon Branch Royal Asiatic Society. 



The ruins of the former capital of Ceylon are situated in the northern 

 province of the island, about midway between Aripo and Dambool, on 

 the road or trace which unites the two. It is distant from Aripo about 

 45 miles, and from Dambool not quite 48. On both sides of it the 

 road passes for many miles through a desolate and unhealthy region, 

 unvariegated by any scenery of interest to take from the monotony 

 of the journey. But a few native huts are now in existence on the site 

 once so densely populated, and were it not for the existence of a Dis- 

 trict Court, and a Government Agency there, it would probably be 

 entirely deserted. Dense masses of jungle now surround the monu- 

 ments of ancient civilization, amidst which are to be seen in all directions, 

 granite pillars, varying in height from fifteen to twenty -five feet, and 

 occurring so frequently as to give rise continually to the thought, what 

 could have been their use ? But before entering particularly upon 

 any description of the ruins, it may not be amiss to take a brief review 

 of its foundation and history. 



Anuradhapura was founded about five hundred and forty years before 

 our era, by Anuradha, one of the followers of Wijeya, who had shortly 

 before invaded the island. It is thus coeval with the earliest authen- 

 tic facts in the history of Ceylon. The Mahawanso in noticing its 



No. III. Nf.ay Series. 2 G 



