Yapahuwa was a short-lived capital of medieval Sri Lanka. The capital was shifted to Yapahuwa by King Bhuvenakabahu in 1272 AD due to the threat of south Indian invasions of the island. In 1284 AD the Indians invaded and captured the Sacred Tooth Relic. After the invasion, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned by the civilian population living there. Today the ruins of the palace that King Bhuvenakabahu remain.