A Link In Time: How Odisha & Sri Lanka Are Inextricably Connected

The Bay of Bengal has long served as a bridge, connecting the Indian subcontinent with South Asia and beyond. Few regions have taken advantage of this maritime highway as effectively as Odisha and Sri Lanka. Their historical connection, spanning over two millennia, is a fascinating tale woven with threads of trade, cultural exchange, and even royal alliances.

The foundations of the Odisha-Sri Lanka connection were laid in the ancient world. Kalinga (the historical name for Odisha) emerged as a prominent maritime power by the 5th century BCE. Its strategic location on the eastern coast of India made it a natural hub for trade with Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon). Archaeological evidence from Odisha, including unearthed ship anchors and brick kilns, points towards a thriving maritime trade network.

Legends and historical accounts paint a vivid picture of this intertwined past. The Mahavamsa, a meticulously kept Sri Lankan chronicle, narrates the story of Prince Vijaya, who is said to have arrived in Ceylon with a band of followers from Kalinga around 543 BCE. He is credited with founding the Sinhalese dynasty, further solidifying the cultural and ethnic ties between the two regions.

Buddhism, which had taken root in Kalinga by the 3rd century BCE, found fertile ground in Sri Lanka as well. Emperor Ashoka, the Maurya emperor renowned for his embrace of Buddhism, is believed to have played a pivotal role in its spread. According to Dipavamsa, the oldest historical text of Sri Lanka, Ashoka’s daughter, Sanghamitra, is said to have brought a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya to Sri Lanka through the port of Tamralipta in Kalinga. This act solidified the religious and cultural ties between the two regions.

Fast forward to the 11th and 12th centuries CE, and we find evidence of matrimonial alliances between Odia royalty and Sri Lankan kings. The weakening of the Chola dynasty in South India created a political vacuum, and Odisha emerged as a potential ally for Sri Lankan rulers seeking to consolidate their power. Queens like Trilokasundari and Sundari, both from Kalinga, married into Sri Lankan royalty, highlighting the political dimension of the connection. Interestingly, the story of Queen Sundari, mentioned in an inscription at the ruins of Polonnaruwa, showcases the complex interplay between royal dynasties and the powerful Buddhist Sangha in Sri Lanka.

While the stories of royalty and grand exchanges dominate the narrative, smaller villages like Narendrapur in Odisha offer a glimpse into the everyday realities of this connection. This coastal village, with its hundreds of scattered Shiva Lingas and fragments of temple architecture, is believed to have been an ancient maritime trade center. The presence of an anchor and trade items like betel nuts further strengthens this claim. In Odisha, the tradition of making Shiva Lingas for export may have originated during the ancient period. The village also houses the Maa Patana Mangala temple, dedicated to Goddess Lankeshwari, whose name itself signifies a connection to Sri Lanka. Legends speak of a merchant couple who brought the deity from Sri Lanka, adding a layer of cultural exchange to the village's rich history.

The Odisha-Sri Lanka connection transcends political and economic ties. Literary works from both regions echo these bonds. Odia chronicles like the Lavanyavati and Tapoi reference trade relations between the two countries. Additionally, 16th and 17th-century Odia literary works frequently mention Sri Lanka, suggesting a fascination with its beauty and wealth.

From the ancient world to the medieval era, these two regions interacted, influenced, and enriched each other. This shared history continues to be a subject of both academic interest and cultural exchange.

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