Leiden University Student Repository

Dijkman, Alexander van (2023)

Continuity or Change? Kandyan kingship in the first decade of the Nayaka period of the Kandyan kingdom, 1729-1750

Research master thesis | History (research) (MA)

This thesis examines the effects of the so-called Nayaka kings on Kandyan kingship in the first decade of the Nayaka period of the Kandyan kingdom (1729-1750). The thesis concludes that the decade before the Nayaka kings rose to power shows remarkable continuity with the first decade after the Nayaka kings ascended the Kandyan throne, and it is therefore difficult to state that the Nayaka ascension can be seen as a clear break with the former dynasty. The ceremonies at the court do not show any sign of an increased divinization, both Sri Vijaya Rajasinha (1739-1747) and Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782) even had a bigger emphasis on becoming/being an ideal Buddhist ruler, a Cakravarti.

Kingship

Kandyan Kingdom

Cakravarti

Nayaka

VOC

Sri Lanka

Author

Dijkman, Alexander van

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Global & Colonial History

Supervisors

Gommans, J.J.L.

ECTS Credits

30

Language

en