History Grade 9: Key Concepts and Study Notes

Capture of the Coastal Areas of Sri Lanka by the Dutch

• Introduction to Dutch Involvement: In the $16th$ century, the Dutch traded spices at Lisbon Harbour, Portugal. However, religious conflicts (Protestants vs. Roman Catholics) and the union of Spain and Portugal under King Phillip II led to the exclusion of the Dutch from Lisbon. To secure spices, the Dutch had to reach Asia directly.

• Formation of the Dutch East India Company (VOC): Established in $1602$, the VOC amalgamated several Dutch trade companies. Its royal mandate granted it legal authority to trade in Asia, build fortresses, appoint governors, and conduct war on behalf of the Dutch government. Their headquarters was established at Batavia (Java).

• Early Contact and the Treaty of $1638$:

  • Joris Van Spilbergen: Arrived at Batticaloa in $1602$ and met King Wimaladharmasuriya I. The King sought Dutch aid against the Portuguese.

  • King Rajasinghe II: Negotiated with the Dutch to drive out the Portuguese. In $May$ $1638$, a treaty was signed after the capture of the Batticaloa fortress.

  • Key Clauses of the $1638$ Treaty:

  • The Dutch would provide military support to the King.

  • The King would pay for war expenses with commodities like cinnamon, pepper, and beeswax.

  • The Dutch held a monopoly on collecting these commodities (excluding elephants).

  • Dutch troops could reside in captured fortresses only if the King wished.

• Establishment of Dutch Power ($1638$ – $1658$): The Dutch captured fortresses in Trincomalee, Negombo, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo, Mannar, and Jaffna. Controversies arose because the Dutch refused to hand these areas back to the King, citing unpaid war debts. By $1658$, Portuguese rule ended, but the Dutch replaced them, leading to the proverb "Inguru dee miris gaththa wage" (exchanging ginger for chilli).

• Administrative Structure:

  • Commanderies: The territory was divided into three: Colombo (under the Governor), Galle (under a Commodore), and Jaffna (under a Commodore).

  • Sub-divisions: Civil administration included a Dissavani under a Dissawe. This was divided into Korales and Paththus, managed by Mudalis and Vidanes.

  • Judiciary: Introduced Roman-Dutch Law. Courts included Raad Van Justitie (High Court for criminals), Civiele Raad (Civil Court), and Land Raad (Land Court).

  • Land Registration (Thombu):

  • Family Thombu: Details of families in a village.

  • Land Thombu: Details of land ownership, crops, and taxes.

  • School Thombu: Tracking births, school attendance, and migration.

• Economy and Culture:

  • Focused heavily on Cinnamon, managed by the Mahabadde Department.

  • Developed canals for transport, such as the Hamilton Canal in Colombo.

  • Introduced Protestantism and the first printing press in $1739$.

  • Cultural impact includes the Burgher community, Roman architecture (verandahs), and loan words (e.g., janelaya, kamaraya, almariya).

British Power in Sri Lanka ($1796$ – $1815$)

• Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka:

  • Importance of the Trincomalee Harbour: A natural harbour protecting ships from cyclones and a base for naval battles against the French.

  • Location: Provided security for British interests in India and dominated Indian Ocean trade routes.

• The Capture of Coastal Areas ($1796$): During the French Revolution, the French occupied Holland. Prince William V fled to Britain and signed the "Kew Letter," instructing Dutch governors to hand over territories to the British to prevent French capture. The British captured Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar, Kalpitiya, and Colombo by $February$ $1796$.

• Early British Rule ($1796$ – $1802$):

  • East India Company Rule ($1796$ – $1798$): High taxes (coconut, salt, fish) and the use of South Indian tax collectors (Aumildars) led to the $1797$ Riot.

  • The Meuron Commission: Recommended separating trade and administration.

  • Dual Control ($1798$ – $1802$): Shared power between the Trade Company and the British Crown. It failed due to poor cooperation between officers.

  • Crown Colony ($1802$): Sri Lanka became a direct colony of the British Crown.

• The Conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom:

  • First Invasion ($1803$): Led by General McDowall under Governor Frederick North. It was a failure; the army suffered from malaria and starvation. Major Davie was forced to surrender, and Prince Muththusamy (the British puppet king) was executed by the Kandyans.

  • Intelligence (John D'Oyly): Governor Thomas Maitland employed John D'Oyly, who learned Sinhala and used spies to exploit internal disputes within the Kandyan court.

  • Fall of Kandy ($1815$): Internal power struggles between King Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe and his nobles (Ehelepola, Molligoda) alienated the people. The British invaded in $1815$. The King was captured at Medamahanuwara and deported to Vellore, India.

• The Kandyan Convention ($1815$): Signed on $02$ $March$ $1815$ at the Magul Maduwa. Notable clauses include:

  • The Nayakkar dynasty was ousted from the throne.

  • Buddhism was to be protected.

  • Traditional rights and offices of chiefs were preserved.

Struggles Against British Rule

• $1818$ Freedom Struggle: The first major rebellion against the British.

  • Causes: Disappointment at not having a local king, fear of the destruction of Buddhism, and the appointment of Hadji Marikkar (a Muslim) as Muhandiram in Wellassa.

  • Key Leader: Monarawila Keppetipola initially sent to curb the riot, joined and led it.

  • Result: Failed due to lack of organization and the British policy of scorched earth (setting fire to homes and crops). Leaders like Keppetipola and Madugalle were beheaded.

• $1848$ Freedom Struggle: Centered in Matale and Kurunegala.

  • Causes: Negative impact of Colebrooke reforms, neglect of Buddhism, and new taxes under Lord Torrington (dog tax, gun tax, poll tax, etc.).

  • Leaders: Gongalegoda Banda (David of Peliyagoda) – crowned as king; Puran Appu (Francisco) – a brave warrior.

  • Result: Suppressed quickly via martial law. Leaders were shot dead or lashed.

Economic Transitions under British Rule

• Shift to Plantation Economy: The Colebrooke Reforms ($1833$) facilitated a market economy. The Waste Lands Act of $1840$ allowed the government to seize traditional communal lands, which were sold to private investors.

• Commercial Crops:

  • Coffee: First major cash crop. Pioneered by George Bird and Governor Barnes ($1822$-$1824$). It collapsed after $1869$ due to the fungal disease $Hemileia\,Vastatrix$.

  • Cinchona and Cocoa: Attempted as alternatives to coffee but failed due to low market demand and high costs.

  • Tea: Started by James Taylor at Lulkandura Estate ($1873$). Became the primary export.

  • Rubber: First planted at Henarathgoda Garden ($1877$). Boomed due to the automobile industry expansion.

• Irrigation and Agriculture: After neglecting tanks for decades, the British established the Irrigation Department in $1900$ (Governor West Ridgeway) and renovated major tanks like Tissa Wewa and Kalawewa to appease the local population.

Religious and National Revival

• Missionary Impact: Organizations like the London and Wesleyan Missionary Societies used English-medium schools to spread Christianity. This created an English-educated middle class.

• Buddhist Revival:

  • Pirivena Education: Establishment of Vidyodaya (Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero) and Vidyalankara (Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Thero).

  • The Five Great Debates: Public debates between Bhikkus and missionaries. The most famous was the Panadura Debate ($1873$), led by Migettuwatte Gunananda Thero.

  • Henry Steel Olcott: Arrived in $1880$. Founded the Buddhist Theosophical Society, established Buddhist schools (Ananda, Dharmaraja, Musaeus), and helped design the Buddhist flag.

  • Anagarika Dharmapala: Promoted national pride, the temperance movement, and the preservation of Buddhist sites in India.

• Hindu and Islamic Revival:

  • Arumuga Navalar: Led the Hindu revival, establishing Saiva Prakasha schools and newspapers.

  • Siddhi Lebbe: Pioneered Islamic education and founded Zahira College.

Independence Movement of India

• Rise of British Power: The British East India Company utilized war and strategies like the "Subsidiary Agreement" and "Bona Vacantia Theory" to seize Indian states.

• Sepoy Rebellion ($1857$): Triggered by the use of Enfield rifles with cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. It failed due to lack of central leadership but ended Company rule, moving India under the British Crown.

• Indian National Congress (INC): Founded in $1885$ by Allan Octavian Hume.

  • Moderates: Pledging cooperation to win minor reforms (W.C. Banerji, Dadabhai Naoroji).

  • Extremists (Lal, Bal, Pal): Demanded Purna Swaraj (full independence). Led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

• Mahatma Gandhi: Introduced Satyagraha (non-violent resistance). Key events included the Dandi March ($1930$) against the salt tax and the "Quit India" movement ($1942$).

• Independence ($1947$): India became independent on $15$ $August$ $1947$, partitioned into India and Pakistan.

Constitutional Reforms and Independence of Sri Lanka

• Colebrooke-Cameron Reforms ($1833$): Merged Upcountry and Lowcountry. Created the Legislative Council with $15$ members ($9$ official, $6$ unofficial).

• Crewe-McCallum Reforms ($1910$): First step toward elections, allowing one elected "Educated Lankan" (Ponnambalam Ramanathan).

• Donoughmore Constitution ($1931$):

  • Granted Universal Franchise (right to vote for all over $21$).

  • Established the State Council ($61$ members).

  • Introduced the Executive Committee system ($7$ committees).

• Soulbury Constitution ($1947$): Created a bicameral parliament (House of Representatives and Senate). Granted internal self-government.

• Full Independence ($1948$): On $04$ $February$ $1948$, Sri Lanka became independent under D.S. Senanayake.

Sri Lanka After Independence

• Political Eras:

  • $1956$ Election: S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike won. He championed "Sinhala Only" as the official language and nationalized industries (bus services, port).

  • Sirimavo Bandaranaike: Became the world's first woman Prime Minister in $1960$.

• Republican Constitutions:

  • $1972$ Constitution: Abolished the Senate and the office of Governor-General. Sri Lanka became a Republic. President became the titular head.

  • $1978$ Constitution: Introduced the Executive Presidency (J.R. Jayawardene). Proportional representation replaced the constituency system.

• Development Projects:

  • Gal Oya Project ($1949$): First multi-purpose development project.

  • Accelerated Mahaweli Scheme: Aimed to complete a $30$-year project in $6$ years to provide irrigation and hydroelectric power (reservoirs like Victoria, Randenigala).

  • C.W.W. Kannangara: The "Father of Free Education" introduced the policy of providing free education from kindergarten to university.