The summit of this almost inaccessible rock was the
the unlikely setting for a courtly paradise of elegant
pavilions, amid gardens and pools, all perched 180 metres
(600ft) above the surrounding jungle. The rock was transformed
into an immense recumbent lion by the addition of a brick-built
head and foreparts of which only the artfully sculptured
paws remain. The impact of the Lion Rock, as it is called,
must have been awesome, since even its remnants beggar
belief. Executed daringly, on a stupendous scale, it prompts
one to marvel at the creative vision that was behind its
construction.
The creator of Sigiriya was perhaps the most interesting
monarch Sri lanka has produced - the brave, murderous
and brilliant Kassapa who reigned between AD 477 - 495.
The son of king Dhatusena, Kassapa was born to a non-royal
consort. Knowing that his half-brother Moggallana, younger
but of royal blood, would succed him, he seized the throne,
imprisoned Dhatusena, and later killed him for not disclosing
the whereabouts of his treasures. (particide is considered
to be one of the five great sins according to Buddhism)
Moggallana fled to India intending to return with an army.
Seven years after his ascent to the throne, Kassapa moved
into his amazing palace at Sigiriya, built for defence
in preparation for the revenge attack. The rock's natural
defences were augmented by some ingenious strategies.
Broad moats and found elsewhere in Sri Lanka. In the event
of an enemy approach, the outer moat was built ao as to
flood the entire area between the two moats. A boulder
-catapult still stands on the summit waiting to be unleashed
upon an awake, the sentry points on the rock summit were
strategically placed so that a momentary lapse of attention
would send the drowsy guard plunging to his death.
One fateful day AD 495, 18 years after seizing power,
Kassapa descended to confront returning Moggallana and
his army, quite a distance away from the citadel. At the
height of battle, by a stroke of misfortune, Kassapa's
elephant turned aside sensing a hidden swamp. Fearing
that Kassapa was retreating his army backed away, leaving
him stranded. Courageous as he drew his sword and beheaded
himself, leaving no room for capture by his enemies.
Sigiriya was not just the fortress of a paranoid tyrant,
it was the palace of a ruler who wanted to assert his
right to kingship with symbols, and to show through great
works that he was the rightful monarch. He only had a
short reign but his achievements have lasted 15 centuries.
