Mahachuli Maha Tissa

Mahachuli Maha Tissa (76-62 BC) was Buddhist King of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in the 1st century BC, who ruled from 76 BC to 62 BC. He succeeded his adopted father Valagamba as King of Anuradhapura and was succeeded by his cousin Chora Naga.

Variants of name

• Mahacula
• Mahachula
• Mahaculi
• Mahakula
• Mahachuli
• Mahakuli
• Mahaculi Maha Tissa
• Mahakuli Mahatissa
• Maha Cula Maha Tissa

Jat clans

• Chula
• Kulya

Mention by Panini

Mahakula (महाकुल) is mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi.

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Mahakulina (महाकुलीन) is mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi.

In Mahavansa

Mahavansa/Chapter 34 (The Eleven Kings) mentions ....Mahaculi Maha Tissa reigned fourteen years with piety and justice. ...The same king built the Mandavapi-vihara, the Abhayagallaka (vihara), the (vihäras) Vankavattakagalla and Dighabahugallaka and the Jalagama-vihara. When the king (inspired) by faith had done works of merit in many ways he passed into heaven, at the end of the fourteen years.

Mahavansa/Chapter 34 (The Eleven Kings) mentions .... Vatta Gamani's son known as Coranaga lived as a rebel under the rule of Mahacula. When Mahaculi had departed: he came and reigned. Those places, where he had found no refuge during the time of his rebellion, eighteen vihäras, did this fool destroy. Twelve years did Coranaga reign. And eating poisoned (food) that his consort gave him the evildoer died and was reborn in the Lokantarika-hell. After his death king Mahaculi's son ruled three years as king, being known by name Tissa. But Coranaga's spouse, the infamous Anulä, had done her infamous (consort) to death, giving him poison, because she was enamoured of one of the palace-guards. And for love of this same palace-guard Anulä now killed Tissa also by poison and gave the government into the hands of that other.