King Nissanka Malla

E569442

King Nissanka Malla was a 12th-century ruler of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom in Sri Lanka, known for his extensive building projects, religious patronage, and efforts to legitimize his royal authority.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Nissanka Malla 2

Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf King of Polonnaruwa
Sri Lankan monarch
historical figure
aim to present himself as a righteous Buddhist king
to strengthen central royal authority
capitalCity Polonnaruwa NERFINISHED
century 12th century
claimedOrigin Kalinga NERFINISHED
claimedOriginRegion Eastern India NERFINISHED
constructionProject Nissanka Lata Mandapaya NERFINISHED
Nissanka Malla Council Chamber NERFINISHED
renovation of the Temple of the Tooth in Polonnaruwa
restoration of stupas and monasteries in Polonnaruwa
various reservoirs and irrigation works
countryRuled Polonnaruwa Kingdom NERFINISHED
Sri Lanka NERFINISHED
deathPlace Sri Lanka NERFINISHED
dynasty Kalinga dynasty NERFINISHED
fullName Nissanka Malla NERFINISHED
historicalContext Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lankan history NERFINISHED
issued Galpota (Stone Book) inscription NERFINISHED
Kalinga inscriptions NERFINISHED
knownFor efforts to legitimize royal authority
extensive building projects
numerous stone inscriptions
religious patronage
languageOfInscriptions Pali NERFINISHED
Sinhala
legitimizationMethod commissioned inscriptions praising his virtues
emphasized descent from Kalinga royal line
publicized donations to Buddhist institutions
militaryActivity claimed military campaigns in South India
patronage Buddhist clergy
Buddhist monasteries
policy asserted that only a person of Kalinga origin was fit to rule Sri Lanka
distributed wealth and gifts to the populace
promoted Buddhism as state religion
reduced certain taxes to gain popular support
predecessor Vijayabahu II NERFINISHED
regionRuled North Central Sri Lanka NERFINISHED
reignEnd 1196
reignStart 1187
religion Theravada
surface form: Theravada Buddhism
successor Vira Bahu I NERFINISHED
title Maha Raja NERFINISHED
Protector of Buddhism

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa associatedWith King Nissanka Malla
Polonnaruwa builtUpUnder King Nissanka Malla
this entity surface form: Nissanka Malla
Polonnaruwa Kingdom notableRuler King Nissanka Malla
this entity surface form: Nissanka Malla