Kandy

Quick Facts: Who was Kandy?

Subject:

Kandy

Known for:

Historic cultural capital of Sri Lanka, famed for the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kandy (Sinhala: මහනුවර, romanised: Mahanuwara [mahanuʋərə] ; Tamil: கண்டி, romanised: Kaṇṭi [ˈkaɳɖi] ) is a major city located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy from 1469 to 1818, under the Kingdom of Kandy. The city is situated in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau.

Career & Major Achievements

Kandy is the administrative capital of the Central Province, and considered as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, due to its architectural heritage. Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most important places of the Buddhist world. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Historically the local Buddhist rulers resisted Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial expansion and occupation. The city and the region have been known by many different names and versions of those names. Some scholars suggest that the original name of Kandy was Katubulu Nuwara located near the present Watapuluwa.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1469: 1469 Milestone — It was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy from 1469 to 1818, under the Kingdom of Kandy.
2. 1988: 1988 Milestone — It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kandy

True or False: “True or False: Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy from 1469 to 1818.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This statement is true; Kandy held this title for over three and a half centuries, making it a crucial historical center.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Filippo Lippi — Historical peer (Died in 1469) (1469): Master Italian Renaissance painter and Carmelite priest of the Quattrocento.
• Guru Nanak — Historical peer (Born in 1469) (1469): Founder of Sikhism, an Indian mystic and poet who taught the message of Ik Onkar.
• Abigail Adams — Historical peer (Died in 1818) (1818): Influential advisor, first Second Lady, and key figure in US founding.
• Alexander II of Russia — Historical peer (Born in 1818) (1818): Emperor of Russia, known as 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kandy