Jettha Tissa I of Anuradhapura
Sri Lankan King of Anuradhapura from 267 to 277 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jettha Tissa I (ruled 263–273)[1] also referred to as Dethutis, Kalakandetu Tissa, and Makalan Detu Tissa,[2] was the eldest son of Gothabhaya and brother of Mahasena. He was a king of Sri Lanka for ten years.[3]
Jettha Tissa I | |
---|---|
King of Anuradhapura | |
Reign | 263 – 273 |
Predecessor | Gothabhaya |
Successor | Mahasena |
Father | Gothabhaya |
The chronicle of Sri Lanka - Mahavamsa described Jettha Tissa I as a cruel person and stated that immediately after his father’s death, he had all of his father’s court ministers killed and then had their bodies placed on spikes around the pyre.[4]
Sources cite that Jettha Tissa and his brother Prince Mahasena were educated by the Buddhist monk Sanghamitta.[5] It is said that the young Jettha Tissa, who later embraced the Maha Vihara priests instead of Buddhism, disliked his teacher.[3] The monk was forced to flee when he became king but returned and became influential during Mahasena's reign.[3]