Last Update: 03 July 2023

History - The Kandyan Kingdom

 


Kandy, situated in the hills of central Sri Lanka, was the last centre of Sinhala kings. The surrounding rocky mountains served as natural fortifications against invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch, when they were ruling the coastal belt. The map in the ‘Portuguese’ page of this site depicts the territories that were under foreign rule and the independent Sinhala kingdom.

Kandy was the base of St. Vaz’s operations. Although the Kings were averse to the Portuguese conquistadores, they were in empathy with the ordinary Catholics. Their lineage goes back to fragile Catholic origins. In fact, a son (Dom Joao) of Yamasinghe Bandara, one time vassal ruler of Kandy, became a Franciscan friar, emigrated to Portugal and built a church at his own expense at Telheiras near Lisbon. This church is extant even today where his remains are interred. The plaque on his grave , inside the church reads, ‘ quisacram hanc Mariae aedem fundavit hic Cadiae Principis ossa Septiantur,’ which means ‘the remains of the Prince of Kandy who founded this church in the name of Mary lie here.’

Kandy, as a sovereign state was established by Wimaladharmasuriya I, who was earliar Konappu Bandara aka Dom Joao of Austria, name given by the Portuguese at his baptism. He was a Goa trained captain in the Portuguese army who rebelled against his masters and took control of Kandy. He married the lawful heir to the throne Dona Catherina ( Kusumasana Devi) who was a devout Catholic. As such, the Kandyan court was open to the Franciscan friars who frequented the palace during the Portuguese times. Hence, their decendants too were familiar with Catholicism and therefore in empathy with the ordinary Catholics who were under persecution during the Dutch rule.

St Jose Vaz was given the liberty to function by King Wimaladarmasuriya II, who was a grandson of Queen Dona Catherina. Fr Gonsalves joined St. Jose Vaz in 1705 during the last few years of his reign and coninued his mission during the regime of his successor King Narendrasinghe.

Using Kandy as a base, he travelled to the coastal areas under Dutch rule, at great risk to his life. It is said at time he was caught by the Dutch, tortured and questioned and later released. One could imagine his trials and tribulations going through enemy territory, traversing jungle paths infested with poisonous reptiles and wild animals.

He learned Sinhala from erudite Buddhist monks and used this knowledge write so many books and hymns in eloquent Sinhala.

His unyielding efforts in learning local languages, spending long hours in writing , in addition to his arduous priestly duties under very trying conditions, display his dedication and commitment to the propagation of the faith.

Fr. Jacome spent his last days at Bolawatta, where he passed away. See Bolawatta for further details.


The Church in Telheiras, Lisbon, built by the Prince of Kandy

Queen Dona Catherina welcomed in Kandy



Photos Courtesy:
Google Images
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacome_Gonsalves





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