Unveiling the Enduring Mastery: Exploring the Rich Tradition of Crafting Majestic Stone Forts on Hilltops
Nestled in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, stands as a captivating testament to history. Once a sprawling forest, the forces of nature transformed it into a majestic hill through relentless storms and landslides.
In the 5th century AD, this hill evolved into the new capital of Sri Lanka, thanks to the vision of King Kashyapa (477-495). Atop the hill, he erected a palace adorned with mesmerizing frescoes, while a colossal lion-shaped gateway graced the plateau, granting the fortress its renowned name, “Sinhagiri,” the lion rock.
Once the king passed away, the capital transformed into a Buddhist monastery and remained as such until the 14th century. Nowadays, Sigiriya rock fortress has gained recognition as one of the most well-preserved instances of ancient urban planning, earning it a spot on UNESCO’s list of World Heritages.
As per the historical records, there existed
