The Mahavamsa (Sinhala: මහාවංසය, Pali: Mahāvaṃsa, trans. "Great Chronicle," abbrev. Mhv. or Mhvs.) is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka. The first version of it covered the period from the coming of King Vijaya of the Rarh region of ancient Bengal in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahasena (334–361).
The first printed edition and English translation of the Mahavamsa was published in 1837 by George Turnour, an historian and officer of the Ceylon Civil Service. A German translation of Mahavamsa was completed by Wilhelm Geiger in 1912. This was then translated into English by Mabel Haynes Bode, and revised by Geiger.
Read more about Mahavamsa: Buddhism, History, Most Important Pali Epic Poem, Political Significance, Historical Accuracy