Question 1

What does Gal Potha say?

Accepted Answer

Gal Potha contains a royal proclamation by King Nissanka Malla describing his reign, his meritorious deeds, and the qualities required of a rightful king of Sri Lanka. One notable passage states that only a person of Sri Lankan birth may govern the island. The text is written in medieval Sinhalese script across more than 4,300 characters.

Question 2

How old is the Gal Potha inscription?

Accepted Answer

Gal Potha was carved during the reign of King Nissanka Malla, who ruled from 1187 to 1196 AD, making the inscription around 830 years old. It remains one of the longest single-slab stone inscriptions found anywhere in Sri Lanka.

Question 3

Where does the stone for Gal Potha come from?

Accepted Answer

The granite slab is believed to have been transported from the Mahiyangana area, approximately 100 kilometres from Polonnaruwa. Moving a slab of this size and weight overland during the 12th century required considerable organisation and manpower, which the inscription attributes to the king's warriors.

Question 4

Is Gal Potha open to visitors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gal Potha sits in the open-air Quadrangle of the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Site and is accessible as part of the general site entrance ticket. The site is open daily, and early morning visits are recommended for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

Question 5

How do I get to Gal Potha?

Accepted Answer

Gal Potha is inside the Quadrangle of Polonnaruwa Ancient City, clearly reachable on foot or by bicycle once inside the main archaeological complex. Polonnaruwa itself is about 220 kilometres northeast of Colombo, accessible by private vehicle, bus, or train.

Question 6

Can you still read the Gal Potha inscription?

Accepted Answer

Much of the inscription remains legible today. The carved characters show evidence of having had liquid metal poured into the grooves at some point to increase their visibility against the granite surface. Scholars and epigraphers have produced full translations of the text.

Question 7

What other monuments are near Gal Potha in Polonnaruwa?

Accepted Answer

Gal Potha sits within the Quadrangle, which also contains the Vatadage, Thuparama, and Satmahal Prasada, among other structures. The Gal Vihara rock sculptures and Kiri Vehera stupa are a short distance away and are typically visited in the same half-day tour of the ancient city.

Gal Potha stone inscription (Stone Book)

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