Polonnaruwa Gal Potha (Stone Book): 26-foot granite slab inscriptions and King Nissanka Malla?
What paleographic Brahmi characters and royal tax decrees are incised across the massive 26-foot granite slab known as the Stone Book in Polonnaruwa?
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3 Answers from travellers
Gal Potha (The Stone Book) in Polonnaruwa is an immense monolithic granite slab measuring 26 feet long, 4.7 feet wide, and 2 feet thick, weighing over 25 tons. Transported from Mihintale quarries 60 miles away, it sits outside the Satmahal Prasada in the Royal Quadrangle. The upper surface is incised with over 4,300 characters of fine medieval Sinhala Brahmi script recording King Nissanka Malla’s genealogy, administrative prowess, and royal decrees. The slab is flanked by exquisite carvings of two celestial goddesses (Lakshmi) standing on lotuses while elephants pour water over them.
The inscription details royal tax exemptions granted to various provincial districts and warns citizens against governance corruption.
Photography of the intricate side friezes depicting geese and floral scrolls is permitted from wooden viewing walkways surrounding the stone.
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