Sri Lanka

The Anuradhapura Kingdom was established in 380 BCE during the reign of Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura. Thereafter, Anuradhapura served as the capital city of the country for nearly 1,400 years.[37] Ancient Sri Lankans excelled at building certain types of structures (constructions) such as tanks, dagobas and palaces.[38] Society underwent a major transformation during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, with the arrival of Buddhism from India. In 250 BC,[39] Mahinda, the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) arrived in Mihintale carrying the message of Buddhism.[40] His mission won over the monarch, who embraced the faith and propagated it throughout the Sinhalese population.[41]