British Ceylon

Quick Facts: Who was British Ceylon?

Subject:

British Ceylon

Known for:

British colonial rule over the island of Sri Lanka, spanning from 1796 to 1948.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

British Ceylon refers to the imperial possessions of the United Kingdom in the island of Ceylon, present-day Sri Lanka, between 1796 and 4 February 1948. Initially, the area it covered did not include the Kingdom of Kandy, which was a protectorate, but from 1817 to 1948 the British possessions included the whole island. The British Ceylon period is the history of Sri Lanka between 1815 and 1948. It follows the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom into the hands of the British Empire, ending over 2300 years of Sinhalese monarchy. The British rule on the island lasted until 1948 when the country regained independence following the Sri Lankan independence movement.

Career & Major Achievements

Periodisation of Sri Lanka history: The first Europeans to visit Ceylon in modern times were the Portuguese: Lourenço de Almeida arrived in 1505, finding the island divided into seven warring kingdoms and unable to fend off intruders. The Portuguese founded a fort at the port city of Colombo in 1517 and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas. In 1592 the Sinhalese moved their capital to the inland city of Kandy, a location more secure against attack from invaders. Intermittent warfare continued through the 16th century. Many Lowland Ceylonese were forced to convert to Christianity while the coastal Moors were religiously persecuted and forced to retreat to the Central highlands while some of them desired to leave the country.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Buddhist majority disliked Portuguese occupation and its influences and welcomed any power who might rescue them and defeat the Portuguese. In 1602, therefore, when the Dutch captain Joris van Spilbergen landed, the king of Kandy appealed to him for help. In 1669, the British sea captain Robert Knox landed by chance on Ceylon and was captured by the king of Kandy. He escaped 19 years later and wrote an account of his stay. This helped to bring the island to the attention of the British.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1505: 1505 Milestone — Periodisation of Sri Lanka history: The first Europeans to visit Ceylon in modern times were the Portuguese: Lourenço de Almeida arrived in 1505, finding the island divided into seven warring kingdoms and unable to fend off intruders.
2. 1517: 1517 Milestone — The Portuguese founded a fort at the port city of Colombo in 1517 and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas.
3. 1592: 1592 Milestone — In 1592 the Sinhalese moved their capital to the inland city of Kandy, a location more secure against attack from invaders.
4. 1602: 1602 Milestone — In 1602, therefore, when the Dutch captain Joris van Spilbergen landed, the king of Kandy appealed to him for help.
5. 1669: 1669 Milestone — In 1669, the British sea captain Robert Knox landed by chance on Ceylon and was captured by the king of Kandy.
6. 1796: 1796 Milestone — British Ceylon refers to the imperial possessions of the United Kingdom in the island of Ceylon, present-day Sri Lanka, between 1796 and 4 February 1948.
7. 1815: 1815 Milestone — The British Ceylon period is the history of Sri Lanka between 1815 and 1948.
8. 1817: 1817 Milestone — Initially, the area it covered did not include the Kingdom of Kandy, which was a protectorate, but from 1817 to 1948 the British possessions included the whole island.
9. 1948: 1948 Milestone — The British rule on the island lasted until 1948 when the country regained independence following the Sri Lankan independence movement.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: British Ceylon

True or False: “The British annexation of Kandy in 1815 immediately ended the Sinhalese monarchy and established a protectorate status.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The Kandyan Convention signed in 1815 stipulated that while Buddhism was protected by the Crown, it did not fully restore pre-colonial autonomy.

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Frequently Asked Questions about British Ceylon