Kandyan period

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The Kandyan period covers the history of

Kandyan Kingdom was the last Independent monarchy of Sri Lanka. The Kingdom played a major role throughout the history of Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1476.[1] The kingdom located in the central part of Sri Lanka managed to remain independent from both the Portuguese and Dutch rule who controlled coastal parts of Sri Lanka; however, it was colonised by the British in 1815.[2]

Overview

Periodization of Sri Lanka history:

Dates Period Period Span (years) Subperiod Span (years) Main government
300,000 BP–~1000 BC Prehistoric Sri Lanka
Stone Age
  300,000 Unknown
Bronze Age  
~1000 BC–543 BC
Iron Age
457
543 BC–437 BC Ancient Sri Lanka Pre-Anuradhapura   106 Monarchy
437 BC–463 AD Anuradhapura 1454
Early Anuradhapura
900
463–691
Middle Anuradhapura
228
691–1017 Post-classical Sri Lanka
Late Anuradhapura
326
1017–1070 Polonnaruwa 215 Chola conquest 53
1055–1232   177
1232–1341 Transitional 365
Dambadeniya
109
1341–1412
Gampola
71
1412–1597 Early Modern Sri Lanka
Kotte
185
1597–1815 Kandyan   218
1815–1948 Modern Sri Lanka British Ceylon 133 Colonial monarchy
1948–1972 Contemporary Sri Lanka Sri Lanka since 1948 76 Dominion 24 Constitutional monarchy
1972–present Republic 52 Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic

Background

Senasammata Vikramabahu

Vimala Dharma Suriya
(I) aka Konappu Bandara and his baptismal name Don Joao of Austria (1591–1604) and he was succeeded by his first cousin Senarat (1604–1635).

Rajasinha II

Sri Vijaya Rajasinha
, who was of Nayakkar nationality which originated from south India. After that the throne of the Sinhalese kings passed to the Nayakkars till the history of Sri Lankan monarchies ended.

Kirti Sri Rajasinha

Munneswaram temple, rebuilt by Kirthi Sri Rajasinha

Kirti Sri Raja Singha was the second Nayaka king of Kandy. The is credited for the revival of Buddhism and literature in Sri Lanka. Under the guidance and influence of Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero, with the Dutch assistance, Kirti Sri Raja Singha successfully invited Bhikkus from Siam (Thailand) to revive the higher ordination of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. He also built the existing inner temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Raja Maha Vihara (Gangarama) in Kandy. During his reign the Mahavamsa chronicle was continued from the time of Parakramabahu IV of Dambadeniya. He also rebuilt the Munneswaram temple
close to Chilaw.

Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha

Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha

Sri

Rajadhi Rajasinha (reigned 1782–1798) was a member of the Madurai royal family and succeeded his brother, Kirti Sri Rajasinha as of Kandy in 1782. Sri Rajadhi Raja Sinha was fluent in many languages including Pali and Sanskrit. His nephew Prince Kannasamy succeeded him. Prince Kannasamy was only 18 when he took over the throne.[4]

Sri Vickrama Rajasinha

Dalada Maligawa Temple by building the Paththirippuwa. He also built the Kandy Lake
.

Kandy Lake built by Sri Vickrama Rajasinha

He also donated more lands to Dalada Maligawa and the King gave high prominence to Dalada Perahara. Sri Vickrama Rajasinha embraced Buddhism and did sacrifices to the Tooth Relic of Buddha.[4] Several ministers under the king conspired against him. They actively provided intelligence to the British Empire. On 14 February 1815, a British division entered Kandy and took possession of the city. Several of the ministers signed the Kandyan Convention which was an agreement for the deposition of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha and ceding of the Kingdom's territory to British rule. There were twelve signatories to the Kandyan Convention signed in the following languages: four signed in Tamil, three, in Tamil and Sinhalese and four, in Sinhalese. This act effectively ended the Sovereignty of the Kandy Nayakar Dynasty.[4] The king was captured by the British and send to Madurai as a prisoner. The signing of the convention is known as the greatest act of traitorship in Sri Lankan history.[4]

Great Rebellion of 1817–18

The Great Rebellion of 1817–18 took place in the former Kandyan Kingdom after two years of it being captured by the British. The purpose of the rebellion was to make a blood relative of the Nayak kings named Doraisami the ruler again.[5] Keppetipola Disawe was sent initially by the British government to stop the uprising but ended up joining the rebellion as its leader and is celebrated for his actions even today in Sri Lanka. The rebels captured Matale and Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill and was captured and beheaded by the British. His skull was abnormal — as it was wider than usual — and was sent to Britain for testing. It was returned to Sri Lanka after independence, and now rests in the Kandyan Museum. The rebellion failed due to a number of reasons. It was not well planned by the leaders. The areas controlled by some Chiefs who helped the British provided easy transport routes for British supplies. Doraisami who was said to have a claim to the Sinhalese throne was found not to have any relation.[6][7][8][9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ John Pike. "Sri Lanka - Kingdom of Kandy - 1476-1818". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  2. ^ "History of the Kandyan Kingdom - Central Provincial Council - Sri Lanka". cp.gov.lk. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  3. ^ "We still celebrate the bravery of King Rajasinghe II - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka Latest Breaking News and Headlines". dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d "The History of the Kingdom of Kandy - The Royal Family of Jaffna". jaffnaroyalfamily.org. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Sinhalay's fearless warrior". ceylon-ananda.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  6. ^ Keppetipola and the Uva Rebellion Virtual Library Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Uva Wellassa rebellion - 1817 -1818". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Wellassa riots in 1818". southasianmedia.net. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Torture tree of the British Army". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  10. ^ "1818 Uva Wellassa rebellion". srilankatoday.com. Retrieved 22 December 2018.[permanent dead link]