THE KINGDOM OF KANDY
The Mahanuwara Rajadhaniya (Kingdom of Kandy) was the last Independent monarchy of Sri Lanka, which came under the British in 1815. The beautiful city is located in the heart of the Island and surrounded by magnificent mountains. It has a rich history. According to historical records Kandy was first established as a city by King Vickramabahu III of Gampola (1357-1374). Some scholars suggest that the original name was “Katubulu Nuwara”. The popular historical name is Senkadagala or Senkadagalapura after the hermit Senkada, officially is Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara (meaning the “great city”). This long name is generally shortened to Maha Nuwara. Even it was called Kanda Uda Rata (the land on the mountains), the original principality which Europeans have named Kandy. The first King to ascended the throne of Senkadagala was Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu and he reigned from 1473-1511. King Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu ruled the Kingdom of Kandy as a semi-independent kingdom under the Kingdom of Kotte, making it the new capital of the Kingdom of Kandy. Thereafter following monarchs ruled the Kingdom of Kandy. King Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu was followed by his son Jayaweera Astana (1511-1551) and then by Karaliyadde Bandara (1551-1581) who was succeeded by his daughter Dona Catherina aka Kusumasana Devi (1581-1581). Dona Catherina was succeeded by Rajasinha (I) aka Tikiri Bandara (1581-1591) he was succeeded by Vimala Dharma Suriya (I) aka Konappu Bandara and his baptismal name Don Joao of Austria (1591-1604) and he was succeeded by his first cousin Senarat (1604-1635).
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