Reference
A History of Sri Lanka
The standard history of Sri Lanka from Anuradhapura to independence.
Sanghamitta
Saint / religious leader
Anuradhapura Kingdom
active c. 240 BCE
Brought a sapling of the Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka.
Their world
Move along the chart to see their age in any year, who ruled and what happened; click anything to open it.
The map shows Anuradhapura Kingdom around their lifetime and where the events of their lifetime took place.
Hover a dot for the event; click it to open the full map in that year.
Rulers of the time
Pandukabhaya
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 437–367 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 321–297 BCE
Bindusara
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 297–273 BCE
Bimbisara
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 544–492 BCE
Ajatashatru
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 492–460 BCE
Udayin
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 460–444 BCE
Shishunaga
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 413–395 BCE
Kalashoka
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 395–367 BCE
Mahapadma Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 345–329 BCE
Dhana Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 329–321 BCE
Events in their lifetime
| c. 268 BCE | Ashoka's accession |
| c. 261 BCE | Kalinga War Kalinga was annexed and Ashoka renounced war for Dhamma. |
| c. 257 BCE | Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts inscribed |
| c. 250 BCE | Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra |
| c. 249 BCE | Ashoka visits Lumbini Lumbini's taxes were reduced to one-eighth. |
| c. 247 BCE | Mahinda brings Buddhism to Sri Lanka |
| c. 232 BCE | Death of Ashoka |
Contemporaries
Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Sanghamitta’s life.
📚 Recommended reading
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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
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Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
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