The Kotte Kingdom was an important Sinhalese kingdom in Sri Lanka. It became powerful in the 14th century and lasted until the 16th century.
The capital city, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, was protected by strong walls, marshes, and waterways, making it hard for enemies to attack.
The most famous ruler of the Kotte Kingdom was King Parakramabahu VI. He united the entire island for a short time and supported literature, education, and Buddhism.
Many famous Sinhala poems, called ”Sandesa poems”, were written during this period.
The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka during the Kotte period. Their influence changed politics, trade, and religion in the kingdom.
Because of internal conflicts and foreign influence, the Kotte Kingdom later weakened.
Kotte is known for important historical places such as:
– Kotte Fortress
– The old Royal Palace area
– Ancient ramparts and waterways
– Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya
Today, Kotte remains important because Sri Lanka’s administrative capital is still located in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte.
Kotte Kingdom Quiz
Welcome to the Kotte Kingdom Quiz! This quiz will help you test your knowledge of one of Sri Lanka’s important medieval kingdoms. Read each question carefully and choose the correct answer. These questions are simple and suitable for students. Enjoy learning!
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. When did the Kotte Kingdom become powerful?
A. 10th century
B. 18th century
C. 14th century
D. 12th century
Answer: C
2. What was the capital city of the Kotte Kingdom?
A. Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte
B. Polonnaruwa
C. Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte
D. Kurunegala
Answer: A
3. Who was the most famous king of Kotte?
A. King Dutugemunu
B. King Parakramabahu VI
C. King Elara
D. King Vijayabahu I
Answer: B
4. What type of writing became famous during the Kotte period?
A. Sandesa poems
B. Rock inscriptions
C. Buddhist sutras
D. Folk stories
Answer: A
5. What protected the Kotte capital from enemies?
A. Mountains
B. Marshes and waterways
C. Desert
D. Forests
Answer: B
6. Which foreign group arrived during the Kotte period?
A. Dutch
B. Portuguese
C. Chinese
D. British
Answer: D
7. What caused the Kotte Kingdom to weaken?
A. Foreign influence and internal conflicts
B. No water
C. Lack of kings
D. Natural disasters
Answer: A
8. What is Kotte known for today?
A. Farming
B. Being the administrative capital of Sri Lanka
C. Being a fishing village
D. Being a port city
Answer: B
9. Who united the island during the Kotte period?
A. King Dhatusena
B. King Parakramabahu VI
C. King Kashyapa
D. King Mahasen
Answer: B
10. What were Kotte’s defenses mainly made of?
A. Steel walls
B. Sand dunes
C. Marshes, moats, and ramparts
D. Mountains
Answer: C
11. Which religion was mainly supported in the Kotte Kingdom?
A. Buddhism
B. Hinduism
C. Islam
D. Christianity
Answer: A
12. What is a Sandesa poem?
A. A war story
B. A type of message poem
C. A religious chant
D. A love story
Answer: B
13. What did the Portuguese influence in Kotte?
A. Only farming
B. Trade, politics, and religion
C. Only art
D. Only buildings
Answer: B
14. What is the Kotte Fortress?
A. A marketplace
B. A natural mountain
C. A defensive fortification
D. A lake
Answer: C
15. Which king helped develop art and literature?
A. King Elara
B. King Parakramabahu VI
C. King Tissa
D. King Nissanka Malla
Answer: B
16. The waterways around Kotte helped to:
A. Grow more rice
B. Make trade easier
C. Protect the city from attacks
D. Bring more rain
Answer: C
17. The Kotte Kingdom existed mainly during which centuries?
A. 3rd–5th
B. 14th–16th
C. 1st–2nd
D. 18th–19th
Answer: B
18. What caused Kotte to lose power?
A. Too many buildings
B. Poor climate
C. Conflicts and foreign rule
D. Lack of trade
Answer: C
19. Which group came to Sri Lanka first?
A. British
B. French
C. Dutch
D. Portuguese
Answer: D
20. Why is Kotte still important today?
A. It is a famous beach city
B. It is Sri Lanka’s administrative capital
C. It has many factories
D. It is the largest village
Answer: B