Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 145
Here it should be mentioned that Robert Knox never came face to face with the King. His account of
King’s personal life was based on what he heard from others.
Robert Knox refused to marry a Sinhalese woman, since his intention was to run away one day. He
escaped after twenty years and went back to England. There he wrote a book on his experience on the
kingdom of Kandy. Robert Knox’s book gives first hand information regarding the life and times of
Sinhalese during the time of King Rajasiha II.
According to Robert Knox, King Rajasiha II was an extremely cruel King. Many people were impaled
and whole families of his enemies were murdered. Portuguese priest Queyroz states that his
predecessor Seethawaka Rajasiha would kill upto four generations of family members for a crime
committed by one. Queyroz does not make that accusation on Mayadunne, Buwanekabahu or most
hated Wimala Dharmasuriya. Robert Knox draws a picture of murder and mayhem in the kingdom,
where one would wonder whether King Rajasiha II was sane.
On the other hand Robert Knox tells us that King provided religious freedom to all. When King’s
sister died, King had ordered a week of mourning. Dutch subjects in the kingdom ignored King’s
order and had celebrated Christmas. King had paid no notice to the insult since it was due to a
religious event. Here it should be mentioned that King Rajasiha’s mother, Dona Katherina grew up
among Portuguese as a Christian and his father, Senarathne was a Buddhist monk prior to becoming
the King. Rajasiha II was fluent in Portuguese language and their customs.
Rajasiha II – Person (Robert Knox Account)
“He is not tall, but very well set, nor of the clearest color of their complexion, but somewhat
of the blackest; great rowling eyes, turning them and looking every way, always moving
them; a brisk bold look; great swelling belly; and very lively in his actions; not having much
hair upon his head; a large comely beard, with great whiskers, in conclusion, very comely
man. He bears his youth well, being between seventy and eighty years of age. On his head
he wears a cap with four corners”.
“He seems to be naturally disposed to cruelty. He sheds a great deal of blood and gives no
reason for it. His cruelty appears both in the tortures and painful deaths he inflicts and the
extent of his punishments, for whole families for the miscarriage of one in them”.
Then Robert Knox goes on to explain various tortures inflicted by the King on his enemies. It is also
possible that Robert Knox exaggerated the crimes committed by the king in order to increase the
marketability of his book.
Dutch and Rajasiha: (Robert Knox Account)
“The Dutch knowing his proud spirit make their advantage of it, by flattering him with their
ambassadors. Telling him that they are his humble subjects and servants, and it is out of
their loyalty to him, that they build forts and keep watches around his country to prevent
foreign nations and enemies from coming. And as they are thus employed in his majesties
service, so it is for sustenance, which they want.
And thus by flattering him and ascribing to him high and honorable titles, which are things he
greatly delights, some times they prevail to have the country (they have invaded) and he to
have the honor. Yet at other times, upon better consideration, he will not be flattered, and
falls upon them at unawares and does them great damage”