The Kandy Periphery: War, Trade, and the Vannimai System

We leave the capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa behind to explore the rugged highlands where the Kandyan Kingdom held its ground against empires. This episode focuses on the Vannimai system—the feudal network of regional warlords that formed the spine of Sinhalese resistance. We examine how these local chieftains, or Vanniyars, balanced loyalty to the King of Kandy with their own autonomous power bases in places like Dimbulagala and Raigama. You will hear about the strategic importance of the Knuckles Mountains and the trade routes that connected the interior to the coastal Dutch and British forts. We look at specific figures like Keppetipola Disawe, not just as a rebel leader, but as a product of this complex feudal structure. The conversation explores how the British Waste Lands Ordinance didn't just change property law; it dismantled the very social fabric that had kept Sri Lanka independent for centuries. This is a story of geography, military logistics, and the quiet erosion of traditional authority before the final surrender.

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