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This towering column of rock, Sigiriya, stands 200 meters tall in central Sri Lanka. The surrounding area has been inhabited since prehistoric times but its fame began when it became home to both a palace and a fortress in the late 5th century AD. It seems that the ruling king of the area had an illegitimate son by one of his consorts. His name was Kasyapa. He grew up, murdered his father and seized the throne. His legitimate half brother fled to India in fear that he too would be murdered, but vowed to return. He did. But not before Kasyapa had turned this rock into a fortress and pleasure palace. The half-brother returned with an army and Kasyapa, rather than suffer defeat, killed himself on the battlefield. The water gardens leading up to the entrance are among the oldest such gardens in the world. The system, which involves both gravity and hydraulic pressure, still functions to this day. |