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Arts & Communication Cultural exchange and decorative motifs in 12 -century
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trade, wielded significant influence over eastern trade The Pala Empire, renowned for its sustained diplomatic
routes. Its temporary loss during Vijayabahu’s campaigns engagement with Southeast Asian kingdoms, including the
disrupted these trade networks, underscoring its critical Srivijaya Empire, maintained a tradition of ambassadorial
importance to the regional economic and diplomatic exchange that fostered cross-cultural interactions. In
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landscape. 29 addition to promoting monarchical relations, the Srivijaya
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During the reign of King Parakramabahu, the arrival Empire played a crucial role in political alliance-building.
of a Cambodian envoy in Sri Lanka marked a significant Both Malaysia and India actively utilized these diplomatic
milestone in cementing diplomatic relations, establishing exchanges to strengthen regional ties. The Pala Empire,
Polonnaruwa as a central hub of cultural exchange strategically situated along the Asia-Pacific trade routes,
and interaction. One noteworthy yet underexplored facilitated the export of textiles, spices, and precious stones
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dimension of this relationship lies in the architectural to China while importing luxury goods via maritime
influence of Khmer design elements, which were introduced networks. Key centers of this interconnected trade network
to Polonnaruwa architects and left an indelible mark on included Trincomalee, the Srivijaya Empire, and the Khmer
the region’s architectural heritage. By the 12 century, the Kingdom, linked by both maritime and land routes.
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architectural advancements in Polonnaruwa, exemplified By the late 12 century, these relationships began to
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by constructions such as the Polonnaruwa Watadageya shift, with the previously royal and ceremonial character of
and the Parakramabahu Palace, reveal intricate decorative the trade routes gradually giving way to a more commercial
motifs indicative of strong Khmer influence. orientation. The Pala kings’ strong ties with the Srivijaya
Religiously and culturally, Sri Lanka held a prominent Empire, the dominant maritime power controlling
position as a focal point for Buddhist pilgrimage among Southeast Asian trade routes, proved instrumental not only
Theravada Buddhist countries. Periods of disruption that in fostering the exchange of goods but also in disseminating
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hindered monks and Buddhist adherents from visiting Sri culture and artistic traditions These multilayered
Lanka often placed considerable diplomatic pressure on the interactions underscore the interconnectedness of political,
ruling elite. Furthermore, the Buddhist patronage of rulers economic, and cultural systems in South and Southeast
and their active engagement with East Asia underscored Asia during this transformative period.
the island’s pivotal role in the Theravada Buddhist world. The cultural significance of Sarnath, one of the four
By this time, the port of Trincomalee had already emerged sacred Buddhist sites, further underscores the Pala kings’
as a vital node in trade and maritime networks, particularly role in fostering religious and cultural integration through
with India. During King Vijayabahu’s reign, the temporary their patronage. The sea trade routes connecting Southeast
loss of the Trincomalee port disrupted these trade routes, Asia and India facilitated not only economic exchange
posing a significant challenge to Sri Lanka’s intermediary but also religious pilgrimages, reinforcing cultural ties
position in eastern trade networks via the Soli land through tacit communication, often expressed through
junction. art and design. This is evident in the pervasive influence
of Pala decorative motifs across Southeast and East Asian
Diplomatic relations during this period culminated
in the arrival of Cambodian ambassadors to Sri Lanka, kingdoms, signifying a homogeneity in artistic expression
who were housed at a site in Polonnaruwa referred to as resulting from these interactions. These continuous
“Kamboja Wasala,” located south of the city. Historical maritime trade networks naturally catalyzed cultural
records document that this delegation engaged in a diffusion, with art and design serving as tangible markers
cultural and architectural exchange with local architects, of shared cultural heritage that transcended geographic
contributing to the design of Cambodian prasada (temple and political boundaries.
towers). While this has often been interpreted as an Historically, rulers who excelled as warriors,
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exchange of regional architectural styles, its broader administrators, and navigators of geographic and political
implications for stylistic evolution remain underexplored. challenges maintained monarchial relations through
By the 12 century, Polonnaruwa had become a capital strategic political and cultural advantages. Religion and art
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city of remarkable architectural and urban development, emerged as central pillars in sustaining these connections.
characterized by diverse building types and stylistic When culture manifests in forms of learning and artistic
innovations. A comparison of the creative design elements expression, ancillary domains such as architecture,
in structures such as the Polonnaruwa Watadageya, sculpture, and decorative arts become integral to the
Parakramabahu Palace, and Atadageya reveals parallels primary cultural narrative. Artistic design, often framed
with Khmer architecture, particularly in the use of lines within the context of religious traditions, serves as a
and ornamental motifs. crucial element in this cultural interplay. From the 8 to
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Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 12 doi: 10.36922/ac.4205