Vijithapura විජිතපුර விஜித நகரம் | |
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  Vijithapura | |
| Coordinates:8°02′N80°32′E / 8.033°N 80.533°E /8.033; 80.533 | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | North Central Province |
| District | Anuradhapura District |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time) |
| Sri Lanka Post | 50110 |
| Area code | 024 |
Vijithapura (Sinhala:විජිතපුර,romanized: Vijitapura;Tamil:விஜித நகரம்,romanized: Vijita Nakaram), also known asVijitha Nagara orVijithagama, was a fortress–city in ancient Sri Lanka. WhenVijaya, the first recorded ruler of the country arrived from India, he brought a large retinue of his followers with him. These followers spread throughout the country, and established settlements. One of his chief followers named Vijitha founded the establishment which was then known as Vijitha Nagara (city of Vijitha) or Vijithagama (village of Vijitha).[1] The city is believed to have been founded during the reign of kingPanduvasudeva, the third recorded king ofSri Lanka, who was the brother in law of the chieftain Vijitha.[2]
The city is mentioned again in the chroniclesMahavamsa,Dipavamsa,Rajavaliya andThupavamsa nearly 300 years later during the reign of kingDutthagamani. The city is then a highly fortified stronghold ofEllalan, against whom Dutthagamani had launched a military campaign. The Thupavamsa mentions that it was defended by three moats and a high wall.[3] The wall had four gates made of wrought iron on the north, south, east and west. TheRajavaliya describes Vijithapura as a fortress second only to the then capital city ofAnuradhapura. Dutthagamani's army laid siege on the city for four months before finallycapturing it through simultaneous attacks on all four gates.[4]
After this, there is no more mention of Vijithapura in the ancient chronicles. However, historians believe that the city may have been an important trade center during the early stages of theAnuradhapura Kingdom, connecting several trade routes.[1] The exact location of the city is uncertain. However, a modern village with the same name exists near the ancientKalawewa reservoir, which may be the location of ancient Vijithapura. There is an ancient temple here as well as a granite stone that locals believe to have been used by Dutthagamani's soldiers to sharpen their swords before their battle.[5] Other historians and archaeologists believe that the location is close toKaduruwela nearPolonnaruwa, where the ruins of an ancient fortress have been found.[1][6]
| Ancient Forts | _fort.jpg)  | |
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| Colonial Forts | ||
Less or no contribution/renovation works of Dutch are marked by† symbol under "Portuguese Forts", and others are considered as Dutch forts too. | ||
