Anuradhapura

Ceylonese city, the capital of a kingdom of the same name from the 5th century BC. It was abandoned following raids from southern India in the 10th century AD, and the capital moved to Polonnaruva. During its period of supremacy Anuradhapura became a cultural center. Later forgotten, it was not rediscovered until the late 19th century. Its remains include vast stupas.