Establishment of British Power in Sri Lanka

East India Trade Company

A commercial company established in December $1600$ by English merchants via a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I to conduct trade across Asia.

Ambon Massacre ($1623$)

A Dutch military assault on an English fortification on the spice island of Ambon that forced the English to withdraw from Southeast Asia and concentrate on India.

Trincomalee Harbour

A strategically vital deep-water harbour facing the Bay of Bengal, providing shelter against northeastern monsoon winds and a base to repair warships.

John Pybus Mission ($1762$)

The first British diplomatic mission sent to Kandy during King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe's reign, which failed because the British refused military aid against the Dutch.

Robert Andrews Mission ($1795$)

A British diplomatic mission sent to secure Kandyan assistance against the Dutch; the British later reneged on agreements after easily seizing Dutch forts.

Kew Letter ($1795$)

A mandate issued by Dutch Stadtholder King William V from Kew Palace directing Dutch governors to admit British troops to protect colonies from French forces.

Kachcheri

The central administrative and revenue office established for Collectors under the Madras administration, originating the modern Kachcheri system in Sri Lanka.

Tax on Coconut Trees

A levy of $1\,\text{silver panam}$ ($6\,\text{cents}$) per tree imposed on owners of over $10$ trees, payable strictly in cash, which sparked the $1797$ rebellion.

Meuron Commission

An inquiry led by Brigadier General De Meuron that recommended abolishing cash taxes, dismissing Madras officials, and reinstating native Mudliers.

Dual Administration ($1798\text{--}1802$)

An administrative system where Governor Frederic North directed civil governance for the Crown while the East India Trade Company controlled revenue collection.

Pilimathalawe

The Maha Adikaram (Chief Minister) of Kandy who orchestrated the coronation of Prince Kannasami as King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in $1798$.