A Critical Study on the Impact of the Kalinga-Sri Lanka Relationship

This research critically examines the contemporary relevance of the diplomatic relations established between the Polonnaruwa Kingdom and Kalinga. The research question focuses on understanding the impact of Kalinga-Sri Lanka relations on the stability of the Sri Lankan state. The study aims to identify the political, socio-economic, and cultural dimensions of these relations and analyze their short-term and long-term effects on state stability. The research follows a qualitative methodology, utilizing literature, archaeological sources, and historical records. The data collected was analyzed using comparative and thematic analysis methods to derive conclusions. A notable feature of the diplomatic relations of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom was that Sri Lankan rulers strategically selected countries with which to maintain stable relations, ensuring long-term political and economic benefits. Kalinga was one such significant region. A key objective was to establish alliances with regional powers opposing the Chola Empire, thereby countering Chola influence. One prominent aspect of King Maha Vijayabahu I’s foreign policy was the perception of the Chola Empire as a perpetual adversary. Moving beyond the traditional consanguineous marriage system, he married Kalinga’s Tilokasundari to strengthen regional power dynamics. This marital alliance played a role in sustaining Kalinga-Sri Lanka relations. For instance, his daughters, Subhadra and Sumitra, were married to his successors, Uparaja Veerabahu and Adipada Jayabahu, ensuring continuity in diplomatic ties. Additionally, high-ranking positions were sometimes granted to relatives of Kalinga queens to reinforce these bonds. According to the Mahavamsa, princes such as Madhukarna, Bhimaraja, and Balatkāra, who were relatives of Queen Tilokasundari, were provided salaries and stationed in Sri Lanka. Trade relations with Kalinga may have also been a primary objective of these ties. King Nissankamalla further strengthened diplomatic and friendly relations with Kalinga. Ultimately, King Vijayabahu I’s special focus on Kalinga, in comparison to other Bengal relations, can be attributed to the region’s access to the major trade hub of the Bengal Bay and the need to establish a regional alliance against Chola dominance.