康提王国

名字

多年来，康提王国以众多名字闻名。包括：Kanda Uda Pasrata、The Senkadagala Kingdom、The Kanda Udarata、The Mahanuwara Kingdom、Sri Wardhanapura、Sinhalé、Thun Sinhalaya or Tri Sinhala、Kande Nuwara等。

The Kingdom of Kandy (මහනුවර රාජධානිය​) was the last Sinhalese monarchy on the island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century.

Kandy was the last independent kingdom of the Sinhalese monarchy, administrative system, traditional martial culture and Theravada Buddhism against European Colonial powers for over three centuries, specifically the Portuguese and Dutch, before eventually falling to the British through the Kandyan Convention on March 2, 1815 at the Magul Maduwa, ending over 2,300 years of independent native rule.

Name

Over the years, the Kingdom of Kandy has been known by many names. These include:

• Kanda Uda Pas Rata
• Senkadagala Kingdom
• Kanda Udarata
• Mahanuwara Kingdom
• Sri Wardhanapura
• Sinhalé
• Thun Sinhalaya or Tri Sinhala
• Kande Nuwara
• Kingdom of Kandy

Geography and climate

Much of the Kandy Kingdom's territory was in Sri Lanka's mountainous and thickly forested interior, with mountain passes to the capital providing plenty of opportunities for defenders to stage ambushes. Routes to the city were kept secret, and spreading information concerning them could often result in death.……

Background

The city of Senkadagalapura (Kandy) may have been founded as early as the mid-14th century during the reign of Vikramabahu III (1357–1374). Central Sri Lanka was ruled by the kings of Kotte from the early 15th to late 16th centuries; with Kotte's weakening in the face of Portuguese influence the area developed into an autonomous domain with Senkadagalapura at its capital.……

History

Rise (1521–1582)

Following the Spoiling of Vijayabahu in 1521, the kingdom of Kotte split into three competing states – Sitawaka, Raigama, and Bhuvanekabahu VII's kingdom of Kotte. Of these Sitawaka, under the dynamic leadership of Mayadunne, posed the greatest threat to the autonomy of the other states.……

Under Sitawaka occupation (1582–1592)

The Kingdom of Kandy was invaded twice during the 1570s and 1580s—first in 1574 and again in 1581—by Rajasinghe I of Sitawaka, who had recently ascended the throne.……

Royal Palace Complex

Sri Dalada Maligawa

The Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple located within the Royal Palace Complex, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in national politics because it is believed that whoever possessed the relic held the right to governance of the country.……

Royal Palace

The Maha Wasala or royal palace, known simply as the "Maligawa" (Palace), was the official residence of the Kandyan kings, situated to the north of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.……

Government

The Monarch

According to the Kandyan administrative system, the king was head of all spheres. He was also known as "Lankeshwara Thrisinhaladheeshwara". It was accepted that the king owned all lands and therefore was known as "Bhupathi". Even though the king was called "Adeeshwara", it was customary to consult the principal chiefs and Buddhist priests.……

Economy

During the reign of Vimaladharmasuriya I many steps were taken to develop and improve the economy of the Kingdom of Kandy. He took steps to improve the iron industry, the Uva Province and agriculture in places such as Kothmale, Walapane, Harispaththuwa, Uva, Hewaheta, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara and Ududumbara.

Demographics

Religions

The state religion was Buddhism. Due to the activities of the Portuguese, ordained Buddhist monks were absent by the Dutch era. After the arrival of the Nayak dynasty, Buddhism was again firmly established in the island.……

Society and culture

Architecture

Kandyan architecture refers to the distinctive style of building used in the Kandyan Kingdom. This style was heavily influenced by the architectural traditions of the Malabar region in South India, reflecting the close cultural and political ties between the two regions at the time.……