Image title: Galpota Slab (detail)

This is a detail of the Galpota (Gal-pota) Slab Inscription from the reign of Nissankamalla 1187-1196 A.D. written in Medieval Sinhala—This giant inscription which assumes the shape of a palm-leaf manuscript in stone has been a work of King Nissankamalla (1187 - 1196 A.D.) and it is the largest stone inscription so far discovered. The inscription itself says that this large stone block was transported from Mihintale, some hundred kilometers away from Polonnaruva. The weight of the rock is approximately 15 tons and the dimensions are 26ft. 3in. X 4ft. 7in. X 1ft. 9in. (av.). This is the longest inscription of King Nissankamalla (i.e., Nissanka-Malla or Kalinga Nissanka). The king has outlined some of his policies and the duties and responsibilities of the subjects in this inscription. It describes the genealogy, heroic and altruistic deeds of King Nissankamalla.

For more details and full contents of the text, see previous photos.

Gallery information:

These photographs were taken at the Polonnaruwa archaeological site which preserve some of the monuments and religious structures of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa (also Pulathisipura or Vijayarajapura) of Sri Lanka dating to the 10th century CE. Some of the important kings who reigned in this kingdom are King Vijayabahu I and his grandson, king Prakramabahu the Great. The city and it's architecture were influenced by various religious such as Hinduism in its early history, Shaivism and later Buddhism.