Vimaladharmasuriya I
Encyclopedia
Vimaladharmasuriya I, also known as Konappu Bandara before Coronation and Dom Joan of Austria' (Don Jhon Appuhamy
) was a king of Sri Lanka
who ruled the country from 1590 to 1604 was a late 16th century–early 17th century King of the Kandyan Kingdom, located in the central hills of the present-day island nation of Sri Lanka
. His reputation was built when he successfully repulsed two major Portuguese offensives in to Kandy. In 1594 the battle of Danthure and in 1602 the battle of Balana both of which the Portuguese had a humiliating defeat.
King Vimaladharmasuriya is regarded by some historians as the Kandyan Kingdom's second founder, responsible for its revival. Born Konnappu Bandara, he was baptized under the Portuguese
name of Don João da Austria. In 1594 he married Princess Kusmasana Devi who, as Dona Catherina, was put forward by the Portuguese as the rightful claimant to the throne and became king. After renouncing Christianity
and embracing Buddhism
, Vimaladharmasuriya constructed a two-tiered shrine close to his palace in order to sanctify his capital Kandy
and accommodate the politically important relic known as Buddha’s Tooth
.
The Dutch explorer Joris van Spilbergen
offered an alliance to fight off the Portuguese. Following these negotiations, Sebald de Weert
was sent officially by Admiral Wybrand van Warwijck to mount a joint counter-attack against the Portuguese. The alliance ended in disaster however during a drinking party, where the Dutch became rowdy, De Weert according to François Valentijn
insulted the queen, and De Weert and all 47 Dutchmen accompanying him consequently were killed. An alliance would not be possible again until 1612, when a new Dutch envoy, Marcellus de Boschouwer, established a treaty with King Senarat
, ultimately leading to the eviction of the Portuguese from the island, and about one century of Dutch rule, until the British in turn took the island.
was hidden in Delgamuwa vihara in Sabaragamuwa province
. The king brought the Tooth relic to Kandy and built a two storied Temple
near the royal palace
to house the relic. He also repaired many ruined Buddhist temples throughout his kingdom.
Appuhamy
Appuhamy,Appuhami is a Sinhala term/name used in Sri Lanka as a title of respect to persons of high caste and sons of mudaliyars.Equivalent terms for a wife of an Appuhamy are Hamine,Manike,or sometimes Kumarihamy.....
) was a king of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
who ruled the country from 1590 to 1604 was a late 16th century–early 17th century King of the Kandyan Kingdom, located in the central hills of the present-day island nation of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. His reputation was built when he successfully repulsed two major Portuguese offensives in to Kandy. In 1594 the battle of Danthure and in 1602 the battle of Balana both of which the Portuguese had a humiliating defeat.
Reign
Kingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was Portugal's general designation under the monarchy. The kingdom was located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and existed from 1139 to 1910...
name of Don João da Austria. In 1594 he married Princess Kusmasana Devi who, as Dona Catherina, was put forward by the Portuguese as the rightful claimant to the throne and became king. After renouncing Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and embracing Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Vimaladharmasuriya constructed a two-tiered shrine close to his palace in order to sanctify his capital Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
and accommodate the politically important relic known as Buddha’s Tooth
Temple of the Tooth
Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is...
.
The Dutch explorer Joris van Spilbergen
Joris van Spilbergen
Joris van Spilbergen was a Dutch naval officer of the 17th century.His first major expedition was in 1596, when he sailed to Africa....
offered an alliance to fight off the Portuguese. Following these negotiations, Sebald de Weert
Sebald de Weert
Sebald or Sebalt de Weert was a Dutch captain and vice-admiral of the Dutch East India Company...
was sent officially by Admiral Wybrand van Warwijck to mount a joint counter-attack against the Portuguese. The alliance ended in disaster however during a drinking party, where the Dutch became rowdy, De Weert according to François Valentijn
François Valentijn
François Valentijn was a Dutch minister, naturalist and author who wrote for his Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën , a book about the history of the Dutch East India Company and the countries of the Far East....
insulted the queen, and De Weert and all 47 Dutchmen accompanying him consequently were killed. An alliance would not be possible again until 1612, when a new Dutch envoy, Marcellus de Boschouwer, established a treaty with King Senarat
Senarat of Sri Lanka
Senarat Adahasin was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the Kingdom of Kandy from 1604 to 1635.He was the brother of king Vimaladharmasuriya I of Sri lanka...
, ultimately leading to the eviction of the Portuguese from the island, and about one century of Dutch rule, until the British in turn took the island.
Buddhism
At the time of his coronation Buddhism was on the verge of disappearing from the island. The king learned that ordained Buddhist monks no longer existed on the island so he sent one of his ministers to Southern Burma and reestablished Buddhism in the island. By this time the Relic of the tooth of the BuddhaRelic of the tooth of the Buddha
The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder of Buddhism.-The relic in India:...
was hidden in Delgamuwa vihara in Sabaragamuwa province
Sabaragamuwa Province
Sabaragamuwa, is a province of Sri Lanka, and contains two main cities: Ratnapura and Kegalle. Sabaragamuwa University is in Belihuloya. It is named after its former indigenous inhabitants, namely the Sabara, an indic term for hunter gatherer tribes, a term seldom used in ancient Sri...
. The king brought the Tooth relic to Kandy and built a two storied Temple
Temple of the Tooth
Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is...
near the royal palace
Royal Palace of Kandy
The Royal Palace of Kandy in Kandy, is a the last royal residence of the Kingdom of Kandy and in Sri Lanka. The last King to reside in it was King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha until he was overthrown by the British in 1815 with the aid of Kandian chieftains...
to house the relic. He also repaired many ruined Buddhist temples throughout his kingdom.
See also
- Kandyan Kingdom
- MahavamsaMahavamsaThe Mahavamsa is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka...
- List of monarchs of Sri Lanka
- History of Sri LankaHistory of Sri LankaThe History of Sri Lanka begins around 30,000 years ago when the island was first inhabited. Chronicles, including the Mahawansa, the Dipavamsa, the Culavamsa and the Rajaveliya, record events from the beginnings of the Sinhalese monarchy in the 6th century BC; through the arrival of European...