HISTORY Grade 10 - VOCABULARY Flashcards (1000)

1000 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, and concepts drawn from the provided lecture notes on Sri Lankan history from prehistoric times through the Kandyan period and touches of Renaissance and Western World interactions.

Literary sources

Writings and documents produced by people in past eras that shed light on history.

Archaeological sources

Physical remains (ruins, inscriptions, coins, artifacts) used to study past cultures.

Local literary sources

Texts written by Sri Lankans about Sri Lanka’s history.

Foreign literary sources

Books written by foreigners about Sri Lanka, often based on secondhand information.

Deepawamsa

Oldest local chronicle, written around the 4th century A.D., detailing Sri Lankan history and Sasana.

Mahawamsa

A major Sri Lankan historical chronicle, extending from earliest times to more recent rulers; considered credible.

Wansattappakasini

The Mahawamsa Teekawa; annotation/interpretation of the Mahawamsa.

Epigraphy

The study of inscriptions as historical sources.

Sellipi / Shilalipi

Inscriptions on stone, clay, metal, or wood; a category of epigraphic writing.

Inscriptions

Written records carved on stone, metal, or clay that reveal ancient events or decrees.

Brahmi inscriptions

The oldest inscriptions in Sri Lanka, written in Brahmi script.

Sellipi (epigraphy)

Inscriptions used to record events such as temple grants, laws, taxes, and decrees.

Coins

Metal money used in ancient Sri Lanka; include local types and imports (Roman, Chinese, Indian).

Kahapana

The oldest Sri Lankan coin type; often called Hasebu; used in ancient trade.

Purana coin

An ancient coin name used in early Sri Lankan numismatics.

Dharana

An ancient coin weight or coin type; used in numismatic records.

Aka (coin)

A type of ancient gold coin; part of Sri Lanka’s coin history.

Numismatics

The study of coins, their history, and monetary systems.

Giri Lipi

Rock inscriptions; inscriptions carved on rock surfaces.

Slabi / Slab inscriptions

Inscription types on stone slabs used in temples and monuments.

Asana Lipi

Slab inscriptions; inscriptions on stone slabs used for public records.

Sellipi Lipi

Rock inscriptions classified by shape and placement (cave, rock, pillar, slab).

Cave inscriptions

Inscriptions carved near cave drip ledges, often linked to monk offerings.

Rock inscriptions

Inscriptions carved on rock surfaces or on top of rocks.

Puwaru Lipi

Slab inscriptions; inscriptions on arranged stone slabs.

Greek sources

Class of foreign sources; Greek texts mentioning Sri Lanka’s geography or events.

Roman sources

Foreign writings about Sri Lanka from Rome, e.g., Naturalis Historia, geography.

Chinese sources

Travellers’ records or Chinese texts mentioning Sri Lanka (Hsuan Tsang).

Arabian sources

Travel accounts and trade records from Arab authors about Sri Lanka.

Portuguese sources

Writings by Portuguese about Sri Lanka (e.g., Ribeiro, Baldaeus).

Dutch sources

Records by Dutch travelers or officials (Baldaeus, Balve).

English sources

Accounts by English travelers (Robert Knox) and later colonial writings.

Local literary sources (examples)

Deepawamsa, Mahawamsa, Sandesha Kavya (e.g., Perakumba Siritha).

Local literary sources (types)

Prose and poetry works by Sri Lankans describing history.

Foreign literary sources (examples)

Seences of Sri Lanka in Indian, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, or English writings.

Monumental sources

Ruins and monuments such as stupas, tanks, and pillars that reveal ancient life.

Megalithic burials

Burial practices’ remains from proto-historic megalithic traditions.

Urn burials

Clay or ceramic urns containing human remains in proto-historic burials.

Ibbankatuwa burial ground

Proto-historic megalithic cemetery near Dambulla, dated 750–450 B.C.; important for ritual data.

Pahiyangala cave

Stone-age habitation site in Kalutara district with evidence of early life.

Beli Lena (Belilena)

Cave site at Kithulgala with stone tools and human remains from the Stone Age.

Sigiriya Frescoes

Ancient wall paintings at Sigiriya illustrating clothes, jewelry, and beauty culture.

Rathnapura gem mines

Stone-age evidence and tools found in Rathnapura area; linked to early resource use.

Iranamadu formation

Gravel deposit related to the Stone Age; contains ancient tools.

Proto-historic era

Transitional period between prehistoric and historic times; beginning of iron use.

Urn burial

Clay urn interments used in proto-historic cemeteries for ashes/remains.

Meagalithic burials

Stone-megalith burial practices associated with proto-historic Sri Lanka.

Ibbankatuwa megalithic burial

Proto-historic burial site near Dambulla; dates 750–450 B.C.

Proto-historic clay tub burial

Clay tubs used to cremate remains in proto-historic burial grounds.

Hene / Chena cultivation

Ancient inland cultivation (slash-and-burn) in dry zones.

Kumbura

Area designated for paddy cultivation; a feature of early historic settlements.

Kanna

Seasonal paddy cultivation cycle; Maha Kannaya, Yala Kannaya etc.

Maha Kannaya

A festival season of paddy cultivation in ancient Sri Lanka.

Yala Kannaya

A paddy cultivation season influenced by rainfall.

Anicut (Avarana)

Stone or brick dam across a river to regulate water for tanks and irrigation.

Ellangawa

Prolapsed tank system; tank-tank connectivity to optimize water storage.

Gamikas

Village chiefs or elders who governed a village; early local governance.

Parumaka

Provincial chieftain who oversaw tank systems and multiple villages.

Dasa Gam Ettan

Council of ten elders in ancient administration; local council.

Gahapathi / Gruhapathi

Senior householders who led families in villages.

King Dutugemunu

Sacred Sri Lankan king who centralized power by unifying the island; leader in the fight against Elara.

King Devanampiyatissa

Ancient king who invited Buddhism to Sri Lanka; important in early state formation.

King Pandukabhaya

Early king who expanded Anuradhapura, centralizing and founding a state.

King Vasabha

Pioneering king who built large tanks and organized internal administration.

King Vijayabahu I

Ruler who expelled the Cholas; moved capital to Polonnaruwa for strategic reasons.

Parakramabahu I

King of Polonnaruwa who unified the country and expanded irrigation.

Parakramabahu II

Dambadeniya ruler who contributed to literature and administration.

Dambadeniya kingdom

Historical kingdom between Polonnaruwa and Kotte, known for literature.

Kurunegala Kingdom

Eastern-based kingdom with notable Alakeshwara influence; later transition era.

Gampola Kingdom

South-central Sri Lankan kingdom characterized by South Indian influence.

Kotte Kingdom

Early modern Sinhala kingdom; capital shifted to Colombo; important for trade.

Yapahuwa

Rock fortress capital during the late medieval period.

Kurunegala city plan

Ancient urban planning during the Gampola period; reflects urbanization.

Kandyan Kingdom

Last independent monarchy of Sri Lanka; lasted until 1815; Nayakkar dynasty later.

Senasammatha Vikramabahu

Founder of the Kandyan kingdom; established independence from coastal powers.

Vimaladharmasooriya I

Founder of the Nayakkar dynasty in Kandy; restored Buddhism and Tooth Relic.

Rajasinghe II

Kandyan king notable for conflicts with Dutch; expansion and resistance.

Dutugemunu's Dan Sel

Public alms offerings tied to construction of Ruwanweliseya; governance project.

Ruwanweli Seya

Great Stupa at Anuradhapura built by Dutugemunu; symbol of central power.

Sigiriya Water Park

Symmetrical hydraulic complex at Sigiriya demonstrating ancient water engineering.

Vasavasa era (Vassavasika)

Seasonal monastic retreat and temple practices; terms related to Vasavasika.

Vejjasala

Hospitals in ancient Sri Lanka; health facilities noted in inscriptions.

Arahath Mahinda Thero

Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka; pivotal in education.

Dhamma / Buddhist order (Sasana)

Buddhist religious and monastic system central to ancient Sri Lanka.

Niyamathana / Niaymasthana

Trading or merchant councils; governance of trade networks.

Parihaka / Dasagam Ettan

Descriptive term for village-level assemblies or councils.

Pannasala

Early Buddhist monasteries; simple clay-walled dwellings for monks.

Asthapura / Nagaragutika

Ancient city architect and urban planning terms found in inscriptions.

Jathikathawa / Attakathawa

Jataka tales and Attakathawa; mythic literature shaping values.

Sigiri graffiti

Ancient inscriptions and poems on Sigiriya walls showcasing literary art.

Gadaladeniya Temple

South Indian-influenced temple complex built during Polonnaruwa era.

Kotte period literature

Literary flowering, including translations of Jatakas and Sinhala texts.

Dalada Siritha

Religious literature associated with the Dalada (Temple of the Tooth) lineage.

Dalada Poojavaliya

Religious chronicle describing Dalada (Tooth) relic traditions.

Paramitha / Paramani literature

Sutra-like literature and Pali texts influencing Sinhalese writing.

Siyabaslakara

Part of Sinhala literature; ancient linguistic work.

Saddharmalankaraya

Buddhist treatise on Dharma and religious conduct.

Lokopakaraya (poem)

Poetic work praising social virtues and education.

Kandyan architecture

South Indian-influenced temples and Devalas built during Kandyan era.

Dantura / Danthika sums

Tusk carving and ivory crafts; ancient artisans' craft terms.