| Kingship and Conversion in Sixteenth-Century Sri Lanka: Portuguese Imperialism in a Buddhist Land Contributor(s): Strathern, Alan (Author) |
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ISBN: 0521860091 ISBN-13: 9780521860093 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $114.00 Product Type: Hardcover Published: February 2008 Annotation: When the Portuguese arrived on the shores of Sri Lanka in 1506, they opened an era in which religious identity became central to struggles for power on the island. During the reign of King Bhuvanekabahu VII (1521???51), they became the first European empire to dominate Lankan politics. This book sets out to explain the behaviour of the Portuguese and the Sinhalese as their relationship evolved over the century. Topics covered include the nature of Portuguese imperialism and indigenous state power in the earlier decades, the impact of Catholic mission on this Buddhist society and how this was shaped by local principles of caste, land tenure and religious thought, and the issue of identity. It reveals how indigenist, dynastic, and religious loyalties shaped the increasingly violent conflicts of the later decades. The principal concern is the sacred legitimization of kingship: why was Christian monarchy never truly established in Sri Lanka? |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Asia - India & South Asia - History | Europe - Spain & Portugal - History | World - General |
| Dewey: 294.335 |
| LCCN: 2008295195 |
| Series: University of Cambridge Oriental Publications |
| Physical Information: 0.95" H x 6.39" W x 8.93" (1.34 lbs) 304 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 16th Century - Cultural Region - Portuguese - Cultural Region - Asian - Religious Orientation - Catholic - Religious Orientation - Christian - Religious Orientation - Buddhist |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: When the Portuguese arrived on the shores of Sri Lanka in 1506, they opened an era in which religious identity became central to struggles for power on the island. During the reign of King Bhuvanekabahu VII (1521-51), they became the first European empire to dominate Lankan politics. This book sets out to explain the behaviour of the Portuguese and the Sinhalese as their relationship evolved over the century. Topics covered include the nature of Portuguese imperialism and indigenous state power in the earlier decades, the impact of Catholic mission on this Buddhist society and how this was shaped by local principles of caste, land tenure and religious thought, and the issue of identity. It reveals how indigenist, dynastic, and religious loyalties shaped the increasingly violent conflicts of the later decades. The principal concern is the sacred legitimization of kingship: why was Christian monarchy never truly established in Sri Lanka? |
Contributor Bio(s): Strathern, Alan: - Alan Strathern is a Research Fellow in History at Clare Hall, Cambridge. |