Pandukabhaya (437 Bc †367 Bc)

Pandukabhaya (437 BC – 367 BC) was King of Upatissa Nuwara and the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and 6th over all of the island of Sri Lanka since the arrival of the Vijaya, he reigned from 437 BC to 367 BC. According to many historians and philosophers, he is the first truly Sri Lankan king since the Vijayan invasion, and also the king who ended the conflict between the Sinha clan and local community, reorganizing the populace. His story is one wrapped in myth and legend. There are three prevailing opinions on his origin.In the Mahavansa, his mother is Umaddha Citta and father is Digha Gamini, both of Aryan origin Kumarathunga Munidasa's opinion is that his father is Chittharaja. He has no affiliation to the Aryan dynasty. He is a local hero. [edit]The second ruler The second ruler of Sri Lanka was King Panduvasudeva, the nephew of Vijaya. Panduvasudeva married Baddha-Kacchayana, an extremely beautiful princess from India. The couple had ten sons, the eldest of wh om was named Abhaya, and one daughter named Chitra.When a sage prophesied that Chitra would bear a son who would kill nine of his uncles and claim the throne, nine of Chitra’s brothers told King Panduvasudeva to have her killed. However, Abhaya would not allow it and Chitra was spared. She married a prince named Digha-Gamini (who, incidentally, was her cousin) and had a son, who was named Pandukabhaya. [edit]The exchange of babies Chitra and Digha-Gamini had been made aware of the prophesy at the time of their marriage and had promised to put to death any son that Chitra gave birth to.However, once Pandukabhaya was born, Chitra was unwilling to kill the infant, and so she decided to exchange babies with another woman who had given birth to a baby girl that same day. Chitra announced to her father and husband that she had given birth to a girl. Only her mother, Baddha-Kacchayana, knew of the secret exchange. The woman who gave up her daughter took Prince Pandukabhaya to a near by village called Dvaramandalaka where he would be brought up as a herdsman’s son. [edit]The attempts on Pandukabhaya’s lifeThe first threat to Pandukabhaya’s life came while he was being transported to Dvaramandalaka. The woman who had exchanged infants with Chitra carried Prince Pandukabhaya to the village in a covered basket. Unfortunately, she ran into nine of Chitra’s brothers (the ones who had wanted their sister to be murdered for fear that her child would kill them). They asked her what she had in the basket and she replied that it contained food. Not satisfied with the answer, they asked her to open up the basket and show them its contents.Luckily, two wild boars happened to run past them, and they forgot about the basket in their eagerness to hunt the animals down. The baby was delivered to the herdsman safely. That same year, King Panduvasudeva died and Abhaya became his successor. He was not a great king, but he was certainly a kind one and he was well-loved, especially by the poor. Several years went by and when Pandukabhaya was about seven years old, rumours reached his nine uncles about a boy in Dvaramandalaka who supposedly was a herdsman’s son, but who showed all signs of being of royal background.They suspected that this child may be their sister’s son, because they had reason to believe that the little girl who was being brought up as a princess in the palace was not Chitra’s daughter. They sent out people to kill all boys in the village who were around the same age as their nephew. It was known that all the boys of Dvaramandalaka bathed at a certain pond, and it was planned that they should be killed while they were bathing. The plan was executed and several young children were murdered.Pandukabhaya, however, had been hiding at the time, and so he escaped death. While Pandukabhaya’s uncles were satisfied at the time that they had eliminated their nephew, some years later they became su spicious again when they heard stories of a village boy who looked more like a prince than a herdsman’s son. They attempted to have him killed again, and the attempt failed once more. When Pandukabhaya was about sixteen years old, Princess Chitra, fearing for her son’s safety, arranged to have him live with a Brahman named Pandula.Once he was old enough to become king, Pandukabhaya left Pandula, married his cousin Pali and fought his uncles to claim his right to the throne. Eight of his ten uncles perished in the war, which lasted for seventeen years. Abhaya, who had never fought against Pandukabhaya, and Girikandasiva, who was Pali’s father, were not killed. Pandukabhaya was a good king and reigned over Sri Lanka for seventy years, leaving the country in a prosperous state when he die

Diamond Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diamond Industry - Essay Example The hallmark of the trade of gem diamonds is its remarkable concentration; that is, diamond cutting and wholesale trade is limited to few locations. This paper will outline the PESTLE that stands for political, economic, social, technological, legal and The cartel, which is the character of the diamond industry, has created a barrier to entry in the diamond industry. Taking this step has made it impossible for new entrants into the diamond industry. According to Greenhalgh (2005, p. 105), the changes experienced in the industry has led to the rise of three major diamond companies such as Alrosa, RTD and BHPB . The changes involve the discovery of other diamond fields in countries that De Beers no longer have control and the political disorders taking place in the diamond producing countries which are still developing. The dynamic trend in the industry has made it possible for junior companies to rise. To enable the industry have a bigger share in the industry, there has been merging and acquisition for junior companies in the past few years. In addition, the strategy laid by Australia of operating in the niche market, such as rare-high priced and colored gems, without hurting the industry leader, has opened aspects of the industry that were not easily accessible. Unlike other industries, the structure of diamond industry does not does not grant the buyers the bargaining power. Over the years, the denied bargaining power has been the trend in the industry. In return the the global economic crisis has hit the industry causing a fall in demand for diamond. With the fall in demand, it meant that there could be an oversupply and a reduction in price. To control this, De Beers ordered for a reduction in diamond production. However, De Beers and other mines including those in Canada stopped the production to as a result of the economic crisis. As a result, there was a low supply for diamonds with increasing demands in other markets such

Continents Trading compare (The United State and Taiwan) Essay

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The role of affirmative action in society Research Paper

The role of affirmative action in society - Research Paper Example The main reason this topic has been chosen is that we live in very diverse societies and are faced with a very wide range of people every single day. With the increasing change of roles of households and the increasing recessions in place, there is a clear need to understand in depth the steps that are taken to positively represent the women and minorities. Body: Impact of Affirmative Action on Society Considering the beneficiaries of the Affirmative Action it is evident that the cause is very noble. Yes, it is true that the law was introduced and passed for the safety and need of many people in need. However considering the people involved and the amount of damage that it has on the society, there have been a number of doubts that have surfaced. The law has also stirred up a number of questions and has built up a number of doubts about the accuracy of the law. Kate Johns has in a very effective manner explained the same. She explains the case of Martin Luther King who had focused on what the person is worth in terms of skills, behavior and performance rather than on the color of the skin. As quoted by Johns, â€Å"Don't judge a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character† (Johns). ... ople are actually being judged by their skin color and being place in jobs and higher places of learning due to their skin color, and their ethnic background† (Johns). This is the concept there several white victims of affirmative action and those from majority groups now refer to as reverse discrimination. Most affirmative action policies have always operated on the assumption of that the group that is on the receiving end of the policies is at an advantage. There are members of this group who are not necessarily under such circumstances. It is hard to believe but there are researchers who have argued that these policies, including those that are founded on racial principles, targets and goals at times have a serious impact on the majority race too. Lately, there have been several instances of white men complaining of reduced opportunities as a result of affirmative action policies that favor women and because of those that favor the minority races. This phenomenon goes by sev eral names and has been employed by a number of groups that criticize the philosophies on which affirmative action policies have been founded. While at the initial stages, the affirmative action policies or frameworks work in a positive way. This is because at this stage, they introduce the terms and define the boundaries for which to sell the concept and idea of gender and racial preferences, goals and targets. However, they ultimately turn their heads and start biting the class of people who had been believed to be strongly protected or favored by the system. It is essential to note that impact of the affirmative action is not completely negative in society and the actual intension of the law is clearly a good one. As explained by Mitchell W. Pearlman and Gregory Daniels, Affirmative action

School bullying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

School bullying - Essay Example In the context of schools, it encompasses the uncalled for aggression directed towards the weaker students by the seemingly big and stronger students. In the recent past, there has been an increase in public reaction by the American concerning the question of bullying schools. This was occasioned by the fact that bullying traumatizing students to the extent where they would not wish to attend school any more. Therefore, it is prudent and imperative for the society as a whole to face and tackle the problem of bullying once and for all. There are different types of intimidation, harassment or bullying namely physical, emotional and verbal bullying. Physical bullying includes instances when the bully hit the other student, verbal bullying is when a person bad mouths another with the intention of hurting them (Einarsen et al, 9). Emotional bullying on its part is where the bully discriminates and marginalizes another person on the basis of any narrow societal definition such negative stereotypes, race amongst others. Conventionally, one would expect that students are the bullies against fellow students, however, the reality is a lot different. Parents and teachers are equally culpable of being bullies. At the long end, the younger person being bullied becomes hurt and would have a lower self-esteem since the people who are expected to offer solace turn out to be bullies themselves.

Introduction to the History of western art Essay - 1

Introduction to the History of western art - Essay Example In trying to keep with the spirit of humanism, artist of the early renaissance tried as much to show a lifelike human forms with accurate proportion and realistic expressions and clothing (Johnson, 2005). For example a woman of the Renaissance, like a woman of the middle ages, were never given any political rights and were treated to be legally subject to their husbands. Women of all classes were required to perform, first and foremost, the tasks assigned to a housewife. For thousands of years women had very few economic, legal, or political rights and, in theory were expected to be submissive to their fathers or husbands (Hartt et al, 2011). Women were restricted to traditional gender roles, which forced them to remain in the domestic or private restriction of a community. Women’s roles as daughters, wives, or mothers were therefore considered their most important function in a community (Johnson, 2005). For the high class members of society, the reproductive ability of a wom an was an extremely significant determinant of inheritance and maintenance the family line (Hartt et al 2011). Through all classes of society, the social system of patriarchy evolved as the primary way to regulate women’s behavior and maintain social control (Slovely et al, 2001). Although women were often depicted in Renaissance art or literature, the cultural advancements and political developments that emerged from the Renaissance overwhelmingly neglected women (Johnson, 2005). The Renaissance brought a renewal and rebirth of intellect, culture, art, and social advancement that was seemingly only advantageous to men. Women continued to be deployed in communities only for the advantage of men, as daughters who could potentially help the family through an advantageous marriage, or as wives who took care of the home and produced children to help work on the farm or to carry on a family name (Hartt et al, 2011). The behavior of women were also an important indication of the social

Influence of Nature and Nurture Developmental Research Essay Example for Free

Influence of Nature and Nurture Developmental Research Essay How many bald, six-foot-six, 250-pound volunteer firefighters in New Jersey wear droopy mustaches, aviator-style eyeglasses, and a the influence of nature versus key ring on the right side of the belt? nurture. The answer is two: Gerald Levey and Mark Newman. They are twins who were separated at birth. Each twin did not even know 25. 2 Describe developmental the other existed until they were reunited—in a fire station—by a research techniques. fellow firefighter. . . The lives of the twins, although separate, took remarkably similar 25. Discuss prenatal paths. Levey went to college, studying forestry; Newman planned to development. study forestry in college but instead took a job trimming trees. . . . Both men are unmarried and find the same kind of woman attractive: â€Å"tall, slender, long hair. † They share similar hobbies, enjoying hunting, fishing, going to the beach, and watching old John Wayne movies and professional wrestling. Both like Chinese food and drink the same brand of beer. learning outcomes 25. 1 Compare and contrast The remarkable range of similarities we see in many pairs of identical twins raises one of the fundamental questions posed by developmental psychology, the study of the patterns of growth and change that occur throughout life. The question is this: How can we distinguish between the environmental causes of behavior (the influence of parents, siblings, family, friends, schooling, nutrition, and all the other experiences to which a child is exposed) and hereditary causes (those based on the genetic makeup of an individual that influence growth and development throughout life)? This question embodies the nature–nurture issue. In this context, nature refers to hereditary factors, and nurture to environmental influences. Although the question was first posed as a nature-versus-nurture issue, developmental psychologists today agree that both nature Gerald Levey and Mark Newman 282 Chapter 8 development and nurture interact to produce specific developmental patterns and outDevelopmental psychology The comes. Consequently, the question has evolved into How and to what degree branch of psychology that studies the do environment and heredity both produce their effects? No one grows up patterns of growth and change that free of environmental influences, nor does anyone develop without being occur throughout life. affected by his or her inherited genetic makeup. However, the debate over Nature–nurture issue The issue of the comparative influence of the two factors remains active, with different the degree to which environment and approaches and different theories of development emphasizing the environ- heredity influence behavior. ment or heredity to a greater or lesser degree (Pinker, 2002; Gottesman Hanson, 2005; Rutter, 2006). For example, some developmental theories rely on basic psychological principles of learning and stress the role learning plays in producing changes in The nature–nurture issue behavior in a developing child. Such theories emphasize the role of the enviis a key question that is ronment in development. In contrast, other developmental theories emphasize pervasive throughout the the influence of one’s physiological makeup and functioning on development. field of psychology, asking Such theories stress the role of heredity and aturation—the unfolding of biohow and to what degree logically predetermined patterns of behavior—in producing developmental environment and heredity change. Maturation can be seen, for instance, in the development of sex characproduce their joint effects. teristics (such as breasts and body hair) that occurs at the start of adolescence. Despite their differences over theory, developmental psychologists concur on some points. They agree that genetic factors not only provide the potential for specific behaviors or traits to emerge, but also place limitations on the emergence of such behavior or traits. For instance, heredity defines people’s general level of intelligence, setting an upper limit that—regardless of the quality of the environment—people cannot exceed. Heredity also places limits on physical abilities; humans simply cannot run at a speed of 60 miles an hour, nor will they grow as tall as 10 feet, no matter what the quality of their environment (Dodge, 2004; Pinker, 2004). Figure 1 lists some of the characteristics most affected by heredity. As you consider these items, it is important to keep in mind that these characteristics are not entirely determined by heredity, for environmental factors also play a role. Developmental psychologists also agree that in most instances environmental factors play a critical role in enabling people to reach the potential capabilities that their genetic background makes possible. If Albert Einstein had received no intellectual stimulation as a child and had not been sent to s tudy aler t Height Weight Obesity Tone of voice Physical Characteristics Blood pressure Tooth decay Athletic ability Firmness of handshake Age of death Activity level Intellectual Characteristics