The Malabary War: When Kandy Fought the Dutch

In 1638, the Kingdom of Kandy signed a treaty with the Dutch East India Company to expel the Portuguese from Sri Lanka’s coastal forts. But by 1640, the alliance had collapsed into open war, known as the Malabary War. This episode explores how Dutch Governor Jan Thijssen betrayed his Kandyan allies, seizing the valuable cinnamon trade and the strategic port of Galle while ignoring Sinhalese sovereignty. We trace the diplomatic breakdown between King Rajasinghe II and the VOC, focusing on the role of the Malabary chieftains who tried to mediate peace. The conversation examines the military failures of both sides, the cultural misunderstandings over tribute and respect, and how this conflict cemented Dutch control over the coast while leaving Kandy isolated in the hills. Discover the specific incidents that turned partners into enemies, including the massacre at Batticaloa and the siege of Galle.

#MalabaryWar #VOC #KingdomOfKandy #DutchColonialism #SriLankaHistory #JanThijssen #RajasingheII #GalleFort #CinnamonTrade #PortugueseCeylon #SouthAsianHistory #ColonialEmpires #Sigiriya #Anuradhapura #Polonnaruwa #MaritimeHistory #FexingoHistory #History #MilitaryHistory

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