The Six Dravidians were six Tamil rulers apparently from the Pandyan Dynasty who ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 436  to 452 CE. They are said to be Buddhist, taking Buddhist epithets such as the 'servant of Buddha' and are known to have made several Buddhist donations.[1][2]

The Six Dravidians
CountryAnuradhapura Kingdom
Founded436
FounderPandu
Final rulerPithiya
TitlesKing of Anuradhapura
Deposition452

Background

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Before the Six Dravidians had invaded the island, the Anuradhapura Kingdom was ruled by Mittasena (435-436).

Rulers

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Pandu

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Pandu
King of Anuradhapura
Reign436–441
PredecessorMittasena
SuccessorParindu

Pandu was the first of the Six Dravidians. He was a Pandyan, in South India, who established foreign rule in Anuradhapura through a Pandyan invasion. He ruled from 436 to 441

Parindu

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Parindu
King of Anuradhapura
Reign441–441
PredecessorPandu
SuccessorKhudda Parinda
FatherPandu

Parindu, the son of Pandu, was the second of the Six Dravidians. He ruled for less than a year in 441.

Khudda Parinda

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Khudda Parinda
King of Anuradhapura
Reign441–447
PredecessorParindu
SuccessorTiritara
FatherPandu

Khudda Parinda, the third of the Six Dravidians, reigned from 441 to 447. He was the younger brother of Parindu.

Tiritara

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Tiritara
King of Anuradhapura
Reign447
PredecessorKhudda Parinda
SuccessorDathiya
Died447

Tiritara was the fourth of the Six Dravidians. He ruled for two months in 447 until he was defeated and killed by Dhatusena.

Dathiya

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Dathiya
King of Anuradhapura
Reign447–450
PredecessorTiritara
SuccessorPithiya

Dathiya was the fifth of the Six Dravidians, who ruled for two years from 447 to 450. He was defeated and killed by Dhatusena.

Pithiya

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Pithiya
King of Anuradhapura
Reign450–452
PredecessorDathiya
SuccessorDhatusena

Pithiya was the last of the Six Dravidians, who ruled for two years from 450 to 452. He was defeated and killed by Dhatusena.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Epigraphia Zelanica, Vol. IV, No. 18. ANURADHAPURA: SLAB-INSCRIPTION OF KHUDDA-PARINDA. By S. PARANAVITANA. p.114
  2. ^ Sirima Kiribamune, Tamils in Ancient and Medieval Sri Lanka: The Historical Roots of Ethnic Identity in Ethnic Studies Report, vol IV/1, January 1986, pp. 1-23 https://www.thuppahis.com/2021/05/03/tamils-in-ancient-and-medieval-sri-lanka-the-historical-roots-of-ethnic-identity/amp/
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