King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1781)

A Vivid Introduction

King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe ascended the throne of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1747, following the death of his predecessor, King Sri Vijaya Rajasinghe. Born into the Nayak dynasty, which had established itself as the ruling lineage in Kandy, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s rise to prominence was marked by a blend of cultural revival and diplomatic challenges. His reign unfolded against a backdrop of internal strife, external threats, and a relentless quest to preserve the sovereignty and cultural heritage of the Kandyan Kingdom.

Background and Rise to Prominence

Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe was the brother of the chief consort of King Sri Vijaya Rajasinghe, and his ascension to the throne was in keeping with the Nayak dynasty’s custom of inheritance. His early years were shaped by the political and cultural milieu of the Kandyan court, where he developed a deep appreciation for Buddhism and the kingdom’s rich cultural traditions. Upon becoming king, he faced the daunting task of navigating the complex interplay of internal power struggles and external colonial pressures.

Cultural Revival and Religious Patronage

King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s reign is particularly noted for its significant contributions to the cultural and religious revival of the Kandyan Kingdom. Although previous rulers had made attempts to restore the practice of higher ordination, these efforts had not been practically successful. Recognizing the importance of a strong monastic community, King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, under the guidance of Venerable Velivita Saranankara Thero, took decisive action. In 1753, he invited monks from Siam (modern-day Thailand) to re-establish the practice of higher ordination, thereby revitalizing the Buddhist monastic order in the kingdom.

The king’s commitment to Buddhism did not stop there. He reorganized the Buddha Sasana by appointing Venerable Velivita Saranankara Thero to the prestigious post of Sangaraja (Chief Monk). This move was instrumental in strengthening the religious leadership and ensuring the proper administration of Buddhist practices and teachings.

King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe also extended his patronage to temples across Udarata, providing them with ‘Viharagam’—lands designated for the use of temples. This support enabled the temples to sustain themselves and continue their religious activities. He undertook the restoration of numerous significant Buddhist religious sites, including Aluviharaya, Dambulla, Danakirigala, Lenagala, Bimba Vehera, and Ridi Viharaya. The chronicle Chulavamsa records that during his reign, images of Lord Buddha were erected at various locations such as Gangaramaya at Levella-Kandy, Kundasale Temple, and Ridi Viharaya at Kurunegala.

In addition to these efforts, King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe also focused on the coastal regions of the country, restoring temples and settling monks there to ensure the spread and maintenance of Buddhist practices. One of his most outstanding contributions to Buddhism was the establishment of the annual Pageant of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a tradition that continues to this day and remains a significant cultural and religious event in Sri Lanka.

Diplomatic Struggles and Military Campaigns

Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s reign was also marked by a series of diplomatic and military challenges, particularly in his dealings with the Dutch colonial powers. The relationship between the Kandyan Kingdom and the Dutch began to deteriorate during his reign, leading to a series of conflicts and negotiations.

In 1760, the Kandyan army launched an invasion of the low country areas controlled by the Dutch. This bold move was driven by the king’s desire to reclaim territories that had been lost to the Dutch during the reign of his predecessors. The Dutch, alarmed by the potential for the Kandyan king to form alliances with other foreign powers, such as the British East India Company, responded with a series of military campaigns.

In 1763, the Dutch invaded Udarata, the heartland of the Kandyan Kingdom, but despite their success in recapturing some areas, they failed to capture the king or secure a treaty. The conflict escalated in 1765 when Governor Van Eck led another invasion. Realizing the precarious situation, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe sought peace but rejected the Dutch demand for him to surrender and become a tributary ruler. In retaliation, the Dutch plundered the capital and set it ablaze.

The Treaty of 1766 and Its Aftermath

The ongoing conflicts and internal disputes within the Kandyan court eventually led Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to express his willingness to negotiate with Governor Vilhem Folk, who succeeded Van Eck. The resulting treaty, signed in 1766, was heavily skewed in favor of the Dutch. It granted them legal authority over the low country, including key regions such as Matara, Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, and the districts of Kalpitiya, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. Additionally, a strip of the seaboard, about two miles wide, was ceded to the Dutch.

The treaty also entrusted the Dutch with the trade in the hill country, the peeling of cinnamon, and the transportation of timber. However, the Kandyan Kingdom retained ownership of the salterns, and it was agreed that Sinhalese who had fled to the Kandyan Kingdom and the low country would be repatriated.

Internal Power Struggles and Decline

While Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s efforts to consolidate power and promote Buddhism were notable, his reign was also marked by significant internal strife. The power of the Sinhalese chiefs in the Kandyan court grew, leading to disputes between the Sinhalese and Nayak factions. These internal conflicts weakened the central authority and eroded the loyalty of the Sinhalese people to the Nayak rulers.

The king’s disputes with his chiefs further complicated the political landscape. The growing influence of the Nayak dynasty, coupled with the internal power struggles, contributed to the gradual decline of the Kandyan Kingdom’s political stability. Despite his efforts to maintain sovereignty and cultural identity, the kingdom faced increasing challenges from both within and outside its borders.

The Legacy

King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s reign is a complex chapter in the history of the Kandyan Kingdom. His unwavering commitment to the revival of Buddhism and the restoration of cultural traditions left an indelible mark on the kingdom’s spiritual and cultural landscape. His strategic leadership and diplomatic efforts, though fraught with challenges, demonstrated his determination to preserve the sovereignty of the Kandyan Kingdom.

However, the internal power struggles and the growing influence of the Nayak dynasty ultimately contributed to the kingdom’s decline. Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s legacy is a testament to the intricate interplay of power, culture, and religion that defined the Kandyan Kingdom. His reign serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by rulers in maintaining sovereignty and stability in a land marked by both external threats and internal divisions.