The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.s5.17

v3.c29.s5.17

Parakkama-Bāhu IV, called also Paṇḍita Parakkama-Bāhu II (*c.* A.D. 1291–1326), son of the preceding king, then ascended the throne at Kuruṇāgala. The duration of his reign is not given in any known historical work, but it may be gathered from the colophon to the *Daḷadāsirita* that he was reigning in A.D. 1325 (*Saka* 1246 expired 1869 A.B.), and in the inscription at Kitsirimevan-Kälaṇi-Vihāra it is stated that Vilgammūla Mahāthera, who translated the *Bodhivamsa* into Sinhalese at the request of this king, was in A.B. 1876 (A.D. 1322, seven years after the compilation of the *Daḷadāsirita*) still holding the position of Māhimi. The king’s death seems to have taken place between A.D. 1325 and 1332, probably in 1326, after a reign of thirty-five years. He was a patron of learning, and during his reign many religious and historical works were composed. To the king himself is ascribed the authorship of the Sinhalese Jātaka book², a monumental work, and the *Daḷadāsirita*³. The second section of the *Chūlavamsa*, from Vijaya-Bāhu II to Parakkama-Bāhu IV (A.D. 1186–1326), also was probably compiled during this period.