The Sinhalese monarchy was the monarchical head of state of the Sinhalese Kingdom, an absolute and hereditary monarchy. The monarchy traces its origins to 543 BC with the arrival of Prince Vijaya and his founding the Kingdom of Tambapanni. The monarchy existed for over 2300 years. Tambapanni and its successive kingdoms were situated in what is presently Sri Lanka. The monarchy ended with Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy in 1815 after generations of European influences and upheaval in the royal court.