The Kandyan Marriage Alliances: Rajasinha II and the Dutch

In this episode, Lucas and Luna look at a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan history that's often overlooked: the diplomatic and military dance between the Kandyan Kingdom and the Dutch East India Company in the mid-1600s. They focus on King Rajasinha II, who allied with the Dutch to expel the Portuguese, only to find his new allies were just as eager to control the island's trade. The conversation unpacks the 1638 treaty, the capture of Colombo and Galle, and the tense negotiations that followed, revealing how Rajasinha II skillfully played European powers against each other while trying to preserve Kandyan independence. They also touch on the fate of the Portuguese forts and the legacy of Dutch rule in the maritime provinces. This episode weaves together diplomatic intrigue, military campaigns, and the shifting alliances that shaped Sri Lanka's colonial era, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar history.

#RajasinhaII #KandyanKingdom #DutchCeylon #VOC #PortugueseCeylon #Colombo #Galle #1638Treaty #DipLanka #DutchEastIndiaCompany #Kandy #CinnamonTrade #MaritimeProvinces #SriLankanHistory #ColonialSriLanka #SouthAsianHistory #History #FexingoHistory

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