When did King Rajasinghe II rule Sri Lanka?

Rajasinghe II ruled the Kingdom of Kandy from 1635 until his death in 1687, a reign of approximately 52 years. He is one of the longest-reigning monarchs in recorded Sri Lankan history.

Why is King Rajasinghe II famous?

He is best known for forming a military alliance with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to expel the Portuguese from Sri Lanka's coastal ports. He then resisted Dutch attempts to absorb those ports themselves, keeping the Kandyan highlands independent for his entire reign.

What treaty did Rajasinghe II sign with the Dutch?

In 1638 he signed a treaty with the VOC granting them trading privileges in exchange for military assistance against the Portuguese. The alliance helped capture key ports including Batticaloa, Galle, and eventually Colombo, though Rajasinghe II disputed Dutch claims to permanent territorial control.

Did Rajasinghe II ever defeat the Portuguese in battle?

Kandyan and Dutch forces combined to drive the Portuguese from the island's main ports, with Colombo falling in 1656 — a culmination of campaigns that Rajasinghe II had pursued for over two decades. He also organised effective guerrilla-style resistance in the highland interior that constrained Portuguese movement throughout his early reign.

Which kingdom did Rajasinghe II rule?

He ruled the Kingdom of Kandy, also known in Sinhala as Maha Nuwara. The kingdom covered most of Sri Lanka's inland hill country and was the last independent Sinhalese monarchy, surviving until British annexation in 1815.

What is the connection between Rajasinghe II and the Esala Perahera?

Royal patronage of the Esala Perahera — the grand annual procession honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy — continued through his reign as a central expression of Kandyan kingship and Buddhist legitimacy. The festival remains one of Sri Lanka's most important cultural events today.

Where can I visit sites related to Kandyan royal history?

Kandy is the primary destination, with the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the old royal palace complex at its centre. The surrounding hill country preserves a landscape broadly similar to the one Rajasinghe II governed, and guided heritage tours connect these sites to their historical context.