Panduwasnuwara
Polonnaruwa Period (1153–1215 CE)·Sinhalese medieval (Polonnaruwa period)·🇱🇰 North Western Province, Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka
About
About Panduwasnuwara
Panduwasnuwara is a 12th-century Sinhalese medieval capital (Parakramabahu I), a 20-ha moated rectangular city (900×500 m) with brick rampart and the Panduwasnuwara Vatadage circular relic house (8-m diameter) on the Deduru Oya floodplain.
Why it mattersKey Sinhalese medieval (Polonnaruwa period) ancient-city with stratified sequence and regional trade significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1153 CE
- Period
- Polonnaruwa Period (1153–1215 CE)
- Culture
- Sinhalese medieval (Polonnaruwa period)
- Purpose
- Ancient city and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- 13th century
- Rediscovered
- 1970s excavation
- Excavation
- Excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
7.5972° N · 80.1014° E · 60 m · 3 mapped features
Vatadage
stupa8-m-diameter brick stupa with concentric granite pillars
7.5975° N · 80.1017° EPalace Moat
fortificationNorthern moat 10 m wide with brick rampart
7.5975° N · 80.1011° ESouthern Bund
hydraulic1.2-km earthen bund with sluice
7.5969° N · 80.1017° E