Historical Importance of Ancient Hospital Complexes in Mädirigiriya and Ruwanwäliseya in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Mädirigiriya hospital is situated in the Tamankaduwa area about forty six miles to the South East of Anurādhapura. The hospital complex of Ruwanwäliseya is situated near the stūpa of Ruwanwäliseya in the Anurādhapura in Sri Lanka. The ancient Sinhalese are responsible of introducing the concept of Hospitals to the world. This paper proposes to discuss the significance of lay outs of the above mentioned two hospital buildings. Two medicinal troughs have been identified in these sites. Although The Mädirigiriya Hospital complex dated bake to the 10th C.E., the Ruwanwäliseya hospital complex can be dated to the early period of the kingdom of Anurādhapura. The plan of the Ruwanwäliseya is much more similar with the hospital complexes of Mihiantalē. All the rooms are arranged on a high platform. This paper aims to identify the distinctive features in these hospitals. The Madirigirya pillar inscription gives evidence that there was a hospital in this monastery. The inscription belonged to the King Kāssapa V (980-990C.E). The inscription orders that dead goats and fowls should be given to the hospital attached to the vihāra.