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  Review II: The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions Volume I
 

The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions

Volume 1 
(from 3 century BC to 830 AD)

By Lakshman S Perera


Prepared for publication with Introduction and Supplementary Notes
by Sirima Kiribamune and 
Piyatissa Senanayake

 

Hard cover; 
July 2001; xxx+322pp; 
US$ 30/=

(
Local postage free)
The Institutions of Ancient Ceylon from Inscriptions Vol I
This first volume of a three volume work is an exhaustive study of the gradual evolution of the island's institutions (political, economic and religious) beginning from the 3rd century BC to 1016 AD, i.e., the Anuradhapura period of Sri Lankan history. It is an exceptionally important work. This path breaking dissertation on which it is based was the first to use epigraphical sources in writing the history of ancient Sri Lanka. Equally important, the author's interpretations of the institutional structure in his dissertation on early Sri Lanka continue to be part of the current historical debate in the country and many of his insights have still not been challenged.
Reviews

1. Lorna Dewaraja

Formerly Professor of History, University of Colombo.
Director of Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute, Colombo.
 

2. Sudharshan Seneviratne

Professor of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya.

 

3. Amaradasa Liyanagamage

Formerly Professor of History, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

All orders to:
International Centre for Ethnic Studies
554/6A Peradeniya Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Telephone94-081-2234892; 94-081-2232381 Fax: 94-081-2234892
E-mail: info@ices.lk  
CONTENTS

Preface vii
Foreword ix
Introduction by Sirima Kiribamune and Piyatissa Senanayake xi
Introduction by the Author xv
Abbreviations xxiii
Bibliography xxv


SECTION 1 (3 CENTURY BC - 67 AD) 1

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS 15
ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS 60
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS 75
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 92

SECTION II (67-616 AD) 103

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS 117
ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS 156
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS 197
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 222

SECTION III (617-830 AD) 235

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS 239
ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS 248
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS 253
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 263


APPENDIX I List of Kings as given in the Mahavamsa 269
II Kings and Princes in the Inscriptions used in Section I 272
III Collection of Inscriptions from C W Nicholas 282
IV Names and Titles of Kings in the Inscriptions 287
V Genealogical Table of the Kings in Section I 295
VI Records of Kings and Princes used for this Study 297
VII List of Names and Titles of Kings in Section II 304
VIII Supplementary List of Inscriptions from C W Nicholas 308
IX Genealogical Table of the Kings in Section II 312
X Inscriptions used for the Study of Section III 313
Index 315
Map of Sri Lanka (Locations of Inscriptions)