A candid look at the Kandy Chieftains

Reviewed by Sharm de Alwis

"In the rampantly secular world," wrote David Cannadine, "biography is now the only certain form of life after death."

Ananda Pilimatalavuva makes the ancients breathe again in this fascinating account. Although a scion of an illustrious dynasty, the writer distances himself from emotion and has written in a compelling sincerity, in a lean and elegant style with an easy blend of content. It is a book that rekindles ancestral memory.

The saga of the front-line actors, the chieftains who braved death in the interest of country and fellows is done on a vast canvas, the product of extensive research. The grand designs with intrigue and treachery of the Nayakkar dynasty to establish a firm future for themselves by bringing in seventy Malabars every month to be trained as mercenaries were the secret manoeuvres of the king.

He even brought down additional South Indian supervisors to overlook Rajakariya and the resultant excessive funds was a burden on the Treasury which led to unpopular taxes being levied on the people.

The lust and sexual orgies of the king and his cahoots led to the establishment of a harem with young girls from South India as well as from the Radala families. The brutal assassinations by Royal decree, the inhuman torture are on view even today at the National Museum in the Hague, Holland. These excesses led to the great divide between the king and his chieftains who had perceived the erosion of the social and cultural fabric. And thus was formed alliances with the British by these patriots who once were king makers. The gory of war is splashed across the pages in all its tactics and stratagems.

The ambitions and personal agendas of the chieftains where they craftily manipulated against each other are not spared coverage. And yet they gave monetary and spiritual succour to the people by way of employment and building of several viharas.

The author waxes lyrical on his ancestor, the last Adigar that I wonder if he is not the devil's advocate. Eg: "His massacre of a number of Europeans, negotiations with the English Governor to depose the truly Hindu Vaduge King the pretended Buddhist, his temporary implant; and his desperate effort to even take the life of the King show beyond any doubt his patriotism and strong desire if need be to ascend the throne himself to restore the ancient lineage of Sinhala sovereignty once more."

From the point of view of biography this is a book, profusely illustrated, to be read and treasured for posterity. The eminent historian and researcher, Lorna Devaraja comments; "In the tragic drama of the last days of the Kandyan Kingdom depicting patriotism and treachery soaked in blood and tears, the figures of some chieftains strut across the stage.

"Amidst these families it was inevitable that there could be personal jealousies and rivalry to gain royal favour. The situation became more complex when in the 18th century a foreigner sat on the throne and a European power ruled the Western seaboard.

The intrigues, conspiracies and acts of treason are dealt with by the author drawing material from original sources. Ananda Pilimatalavuva should be congratulated for placing before future researchers all this valuable information."