Search results for "History"
Found 8 results
Arrival of Arhat Mahinda Thera (Mahindāgamana) as Reflected in Pāli Mahāvaṃsa
By Ven. Dr. Ehelepola Mahinda Thero
The entry or arrival of Arhat Mahinda Thera, a significant event that marked the official introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, is exquisitely described in the Pāli Mahāvaṃsa, a chronicle of Sri Lankan history. Mahindāgamana, the establishment of Buddhism on the island of Lanka, emphasizes both heavenly providence and political peace. It took place under King Devānampiya Tissa’s reign. The importance of Mahinda Thera as an emissary of Emperor Ashoka is emphasized throughout the book, demonstrating how Buddhism flourished as a uniting factor over several geographical areas. According to the Mahāvaṃsa, which includes stories of Mahinda’s airborne descent and theological talks to convert the monarch and his subjects, his arrival is both miraculous and deliberate. The revolutionary effects of Buddhism on Sri Lanka’s spiritual, cultural.
Regional Identity Linked to the Concept of Natha - Activities Associated with the Natha Canal in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (15th to 19th century)
By Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
In studying the trade history of the Indian Ocean, it is clear that from the 13th century to the 15th century AD, the developed region of trade was around the Arabian Sea region. After the 13th century AD, the southern, southwestern and western ports of Sri Lanka became more prosperous The source provides the factors. During this period, the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526A.D.) and Mughal power (1526-1857 A.D.) were active in India, so there is evidence of how many South Indian traders came into contact with Sri Lanka. In particular, the advanced stage of “Natha ” worship can be seen in Sri Lanka by the 15th century AD and after that period Natha statues were built in many temples and shrines focusing on the western, southwestern and Kandy regions of Sri Lanka. By the 13th century AD, “natha” worship was popular in Southeast Asia and India. Also, during this period, Catholicism and Protestantism spread in these areas. Natha Ela and its surrounding temples belonging to Gampaha district in the Western Province have been selected for this research. When studying its location, it becomes clear that this Natha canal (natha ela) is an additional canal built to transport goods from inland to the western coast. Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Sapugaskanda Rajamaha Viharaya and Heiyanthuduwa Rajamaha Viharaya etc. are the major temples built around Natha Ela. There is evidence that economic activities in this area were very prosperous during the reign of King Rajasinghe II (1635-1687 AD). Also, due to the prevalence of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism in those areas, during the Rajasinghe II period (1635-1687 AD), more Natha statues were built in this area to challenge Catholicism and Protestantism as well as to protect Buddhism. At the same time, during this period, Natha statues were built to bring the pilgrims from India as well as Southeast Asia to this area. Also, it is clear that in order to face the Mughal power in India and the expansion of the power of the Europeans, Buddhism was spread in the area by advancing the Mahayana concept.
Viability of Outcome-Based Education Approach in Social Science Education: A Review
By K.G.C.C.I. Piyasena, Ali Lubna, R.M. Dhanapala
Social science education is a field of study that focuses on the teaching and learning of social science subjects. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including curriculum development, instructional methods, and assessment strategies. With its deep roots in history, social science education presents a unique set of challenges due to its inherent complexity and multifaceted nature. There are many research studies in the field of social sciences, and also in the field of the OBE approach. However, there are limited studies on the OBE approach in social science education. Therefore, this study aims to fill the research gap of the viability of the OBE approach in social science education. This research entirely depends on declarative knowledge. Existing literature has highlighted significant advantages of OBE. Similarly, there are notable differences between traditional teacher-centered content-based education and student-centered OBE approach. Social science education plays a vital role in preparing students to become informed and engaged citizens in a complex and ever-changing world. By addressing the challenges and embracing new approaches, educators can continue to enhance the quality and effectiveness of social science education for all students by selecting a proper mix of traditional teaching approaches and student-centered OBE approaches.
Investigation of Ancient Pre-colonial Monuments in Jaffna, Sri Lanka
By Mrs. Ajiththa Suganthan
One of the most difficult aspects of understanding Jaffna’s history and archaeology is the peninsula’s general lack of pre-colonial monumental structures. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, two ancient Sri Lankan cities, are surrounded by temples and stupas. These monuments date to the pre-colonial period. These historic landmarks can still be seen today. These are remarkable pieces of evidence for understanding ancient monuments and history. Even though Jaffna was once a prominent ancient trade center, no pre-colonial structures or monuments have been discovered in the region. Although temples and buildings have been mentioned numerous times throughout history, no monuments have been found. There were no previews of the study that addressed the question of why Jaffna lacked Kingdom monuments, particularly pre-colonial associated architectural structures. The purpose of this inquiry is to identify the number of pre-colonial monuments that are still in Jaffna. The second objective is to understand why Jaffna is missing kingdom-related structures like those seen in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The thesis does not discuss the European invasion of Jaffna or its aftermath. The study was conducted in the form of a survey, with data gathered from the Archaeology Department, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. In addition, the research utilized archival material from ancient period literatures, Portuguese references, travelers’ notes, and archaeological records. The Portuguese heritage monuments and pre-colonial monuments were mapped using GIS. The analysis has revealed that the evidence from the Five Buildings is from the Portuguese period. The other eleven are pre-colonial monuments. It is clear that several of the pre-colonial monuments were altered throughout the years until the end of the Dutch period. Prior to the Dutch period, Jaffna had four periods of monuments: ancient, Chola, Jaffna Kingdom, and Portuguese. More study should be conducted to explore the structure of pre-colonial monuments utilizing ground penetrating radar.
Indigenous Knowledge system Among Meemure Inhabitants: Kandy District, Sri Lanka
By D. T. H. Ananda
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is a set of knowledge belong to a specific group or a community which cannot be seen either in the mainstream or in a dominant society. The knowledge systems developed by the ancestors of these groups have transmitted this knowledge system to their succeeding generations. This knowledge system has shaped their traditional way of life and culture throughout the history. Meemure inhabitants are one of the minority groups in Sri Lanka that have remarkable indigenous knowledge system (IKS). The main objective of this study was to explore their valuable IKS as a whole. Thus, questioner survey, interviews and observation methods were used as data collecting methods. Though the village cultural heritage is rich in precious indigenous pertaining tangible and intangible cultural heritage those are at risk of disappearing at present with the effects of new technologies and innovations. Capturing these IK as much as we can and making documents, films and ethnographies are the best methods to safeguard this invaluable indigenous heritage.
Prehistoric Life in the Jaffna Peninsula - A Preliminary Investigations for the study of Stone Age culture base on Archaeological Evidences
By Professor. S. Krishnarajah
The investigation undertaken here on prehistoric life in the Jaffna Peninsula is a preliminary study of the stone age culture based on archaeological evidences. Having considered the remarkable collection of stone implements from the Jaffna Peninsula, it is expected to stratify the cultural successions before the historical records came to use in the Peninsula. Most of the excavation missions so far have been deployed in this region which focused light on the Megalithic cultural layers and material culture of the period. But for the first time an excavation mission was targeted by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka with finding of prehistoric layer deposits and prehistoric remains at Kantarodai and Mayakkai in 2011 and 2020 respectively in the Peninsula. The concept of prehistoric settlements in the Jaffna Peninsula had been developed from the research findings of this author who has been working since more than 30 years in collecting of material like stone tools in many variety which had been used by the mankind lived in this Peninsula before the written records come to the usage. This investigation has been categorized into the three main divisions based on the material we received in relation to the prehistoric life adopted in this land. Having conducted explorations, surface collections and unexpected discoveries of artifacts from the archaeological sites like Mayakkai Cave site in Point Pedro District and the Lower Valley of Thondamanaru salt water basin site have yielded much stone implements from time to time. The most important discovery was held that the 31st Layer of the 2nd Trench Pit at Kantarodai (excavation held in 2011) which exposes the prehistoric sediments. Thus, the morphology of the stone tools found so far from the Peninsula stimulate us to develop a room for research space for prehistoric life existed in this peninsular region. Though the time span of the prehistoric culture is much wider, our material collections are very narrow for this particular period of research as the title indicates the aim and scope of the investigation is a preliminary studies. Our proposed hypotheses have enhanced to highlight the prehistoric cultural strata with the life style of the people who lived before the historic ages. Therefore, this is not an entity of un-witnessed mission or concepts but the collection of accumulated man made implements from the surface basins of Thondamanaru and Valukiyaru have testified our hypotheses that ‘The prehistoric settlement was formed from the sand dune area which was located in Vadamaradchi- East, as the northern edge of the expansion of Iranaimadu Culture ends. B.) Deviation of Neolithic Life and Microlithic culture intermingled in the Lower part of Thondamanaru Salt basin and C.) Prehistoric Cultural epicenter was formed at Mayakkai in Vadamaradchi as socio- economic influences received from Iranaimadu Basin at the time. However, to make very clear cut phenomena of the prehistoric cultural phases from Palaeolithic, Microlithic and Neolithic cultural strata in the Jaffna Peninsula we need to have stratigraphic evidences which will be available when excavations taking place. However, in this introductory research a preliminary examination has been done in order to verifying the collected stone tools of the cultures.
An Archaeological Comparison of Late Medieval Non-Religious Architecture between Kerala and Sri Lanka
By Buddisha Jayashan Weerasuriya
Literary sources do not contain much information about significant events that took place in the history of a country, but it is not difficult to find them through archaeological sources. Although, it is difficult to confirm something that happened in history, it is possible if the information obtained from the archaeology matches any picture of the past in line with the sources of historical literature. This study of non-religious architecture in Kerala and Sri Lanka can be called a research of that kind. This study focuses on predominant similarities in non-religious architecture between Kerala and Sri Lanka with an archaeological perspective. The main purpose of this study is to show how an architectural tradition developed in the late medieval period is different from the architectural style used in Sri Lanka until then. Here the late medieval period after the 13th century and here the colonial period is also studied. In this study, the data was collected by conducting field visits to some of the chosen regions of Kerala and Sri Lanka, and the snowball sampling method was used to achieve this. The research required the study of a number of architectural textbooks as well as historical sources in parallel with archaeological sources. After classifying the collected data, the anomalies of the architectural features of the two zones were studied. The study concludes by examining the theoretical factors that contributed to the building of architectural similarities between Kerala and Sri Lanka.
The Hindu - Buddhist religious and social reconciliation reflected from pre-Buddhist time to the 3rd Century AC period in Sri Lanka
By Dr. Dananjaya Gamalath, Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
This topic and the research undergone the subject of Historical Archaeology and its social factors which were covering major part of nature of the subject. The Archaeological evidence confirms that the cross-cultural and social ties between the people of South India and Sri Lanka in pre-Buddhist time of the history are being revealed from earlier years. Archaeological evidence of various artefacts as well as settlements such as coins, pots and carvings belonging to the pre- Buddhist period have been found in the North, North Central, North Western and Eastern as well as Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka. According to these facts, among the religious beliefs practiced by the people in the early period before the conversion to Buddhism were tree worship, rock worship and sun deities, etc, these religions attributed divinity to objects of nature are prominent, and there is evidence that religions such as phallic worship, which were part of the Vedic Hindu faith, were prevalent among the people