Sinhale and the Patriots

First published in1950,Sinhale and the Patriots tells the story of the Great Rebellion of 1817-1818, the most formidable uprising during the whole period of British rule in Sri Lanka. It is the final chapter in the history of the ancient Sinhala kingdom of Kandy,high up in the rugged central highlands of Sri Lanka.

In 1815 a rebellious and embittered aristocracy had surrendered their king and their country to the British.In return for surrendering their independence, the British guaranteed to maintain the age old customs and traditions by which the Sinhalese had governed themselves. Buddhism, the ancient religion of the Sinhalese, was declared inviolable,to be maintained and protected.

Despite its firm assurances, the new colonial order failed to keep its promises.Holy places were plundered, homes were burnt and proud Kandyan nobles were humiliated. Gradually Kandyans of all ranks and classes began to fear for the future of their culture and religion.Led by the very aristocracy which had once betrayed them,the Kandyans rose up in rebellion.

The British responded with ruthless savagery. Unable to pin down their enemies, they devastated their lands. Scarcely a village was left standing as the countryside was reduced to a wasteland. Disease. starvation and famine followed, slowly but surely breaking the back of the Kandyan resistances.

For the Sinhalese the failure of the rebellion marked the end of the old order and with it the disappearance of an ancient and in many ways unique way of life. A new system of direct government by the British officials was imposed on the Kandyan provinces; the power of the chiefs was broken forever and they were gradually set aside,to be superseded by parvenus and placemen

Sinharaja Tammita-Delgoda

ISBN 10: 8170131359 / ISBN 13: 9788170131359

Price: £ 20