The Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka, 1707–1782

The book begins with an overview of Kandy’s place in Sri Lankan history, explaining why the Kandyan kingdom remained central to the island’s political memory despite the dominance of European colonial powers along the coast. It then examines the origin of the Nāyakkar dynasty, tracing its South Indian background and its integration into the Sinhala Buddhist royal order. The central chapters study the internal balance of power between the kings and the Kandyan nobility. Dewaraja analyzes the social foundation of aristocratic authority, the political role of regional chiefs, and the reigns of Narendrasiṃha, Śrī Vijaya Rājasiṃha, and Kīrti Śrī Rājasiṃha. Particular attention is given to the invasion of Kandy and the Treaty of 1766, which reshaped relations between the Kandyan court and European powers. The later chapters focus on religion and statecraft, central administration, provincial governance, the judiciary, kingship, and court ceremonial. The work presents the Kandyan kingdom as a complex political system sustained by ritual authority, Buddhist legitimacy, aristocratic negotiation, and administrative continuit