Kandyan Treaty of 1638

The Kandyan Treaty of 1638, signed on May 23, 1638, was a significant agreement between the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka and the Dutch East India Company (VOC). This treaty marked the beginning of a crucial alliance aimed at expelling the Portuguese, who had been occupying coastal regions of the island. The agreement not only set the stage for the eventual decline of Portuguese power in Sri Lanka but also laid the groundwork for Dutch influence over the island's coastal areas, which would have lasting implications for the country’s history. Background: Portuguese Occupation in Sri Lanka By the early 17th century, Sri Lanka was divided into several kingdoms, with the Kingdom of Kandy being the most prominent in the interior and the Kingdoms of Kotte and Jaffna under Portuguese control. The Portuguese had arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505 and gradually expanded their influence, controlling most of the island's coastal regions by the early 1600s. They established strongholds in key areas like Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna, and imposed their authority over trade, particularly in cinnamon, which was highly valued in Europe. The Kingdom of Kandy, under the leadership of King Rajasinghe II, fiercely resisted Portuguese domination and sought to regain control over the coastal areas. However, Kandy's military efforts alone were insufficient to challenge the well-fortified Portuguese positions. Recognizing the need for a powerful ally, Rajasinghe II turned to the Dutch, who were increasingly active in the Indian Ocean and eager to challenge Portuguese power. The Kandyan Treaty of 1638 The Kandyan Treaty of 1638 was the result of negotiations between King Rajasinghe II and the representatives of the Dutch East India Company. The treaty established a formal alliance between the two parties with the shared goal of expelling the Portuguese from Sri Lanka. Key Provisions of the Treaty: Military Alliance: The Dutch agreed to provide military assistance to the Kingdom of Kandy in its efforts to expel the Portuguese from the island. In return, Kandy would support the Dutch by providing troops, supplies, and strategic cooperation. Territorial Arrangements: Upon the successful expulsion of the Portuguese, the Dutch would control the coastal areas, including key ports and fortifications. The interior regions, including the Kingdom of Kandy, would remain under the control of the Kandyan king. The Dutch would also ensure that the Portuguese were permanently excluded from the island. Trade Agreements: The treaty included provisions for trade, with the Dutch securing rights to trade in cinnamon and other valuable commodities in exchange for their military support. The Dutch were granted monopolistic rights over the cinnamon trade, which was a major economic interest for both parties. Impact and Consequences The Kandyan Treaty of 1638 marked the beginning of a concerted effort by the Kandyans and the Dutch to expel the Portuguese. The Dutch, with their superior naval power and military expertise, were able to capture key Portuguese fortresses, including Galle in 1640. Over the next few decades, the combined efforts of the Dutch and Kandyans led to the gradual decline of Portuguese influence in Sri Lanka, culminating in the complete expulsion of the Portuguese by 1658. However, the alliance between Kandy and the Dutch was not without its tensions. While the Kandyans had hoped to regain control over the coastal areas, the Dutch had their own ambitions and began to establish their dominance over the coastal regions, effectively replacing the Portuguese as the colonial power. The Dutch controlled the lucrative cinnamon trade and imposed their authority over the coastal areas, leading to a new era of colonial influence in Sri Lanka. The relationship between the Kingdom of Kandy and the Dutch remained uneasy, with both sides occasionally clashing over territorial and trade issues. The Kandyans resisted full Dutch control and continued to maintain a degree of independence in the interior. This complex and often uneasy relationship would continue until the arrival of the British in the late 18th century, who eventually took control of the entire island. Legacy The Kandyan Treaty of 1638 is a pivotal event in Sri Lanka's history, marking the end of Portuguese dominance and the beginning of Dutch colonial rule in the coastal regions. While the treaty was initially seen as a means for the Kingdom of Kandy to regain control of its territory, it ultimately led to the establishment of a new colonial power that would shape the island's history for over a century. This period also underscores the complexities of alliances and the unintended consequences of seeking foreign support to address local conflicts. The Kandyan Kingdom's alliance with the Dutch, while successful in removing the Portuguese, resulted in a new form of foreign domination that the Kandyans had not anticipated. #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife #SriLanka #KandyanTreaty #DutchColonialism #SriLankanHistory