King Vimaladharmasooriya I took several
steps to establish his legal right to the Kandyan
kingdom.
- Establishing his right by marrying Kusumasana
Devi who had a legal right to the Kandyan
kingdom. - Abandoning Roman Catholic religion and
embracing Buddhism. - Getting a Buddhist name as
Vimaladharmasooriya. - Bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic,which was
hidden in the temple of Delgamu, to Kandy.
The king defeated king Rajasinghe I with
the help of the Kandyans in order to protect the
country from the influences of the kingdom of
Seethawaka.
There were several steps that the king took to
save the Kandyan kingdom from the clutches
of the Portuguese.
- Defeating the Portuguese completely in the
battle of Danthure in 1594 A.D. - Supporting the rebellions against the
Portuguese, organized by the people of low-
country. - Try to get the assistance of the Dutch to expel
the Portuguese.
King Vimaladharmasooriya took several
steps to rebuild the declined Buddhism.
- Bringing Upasampada from Mianmar.
- Renovating old temples such as Lankathilaka,
Ridee Viharaya and Gadaladeniya.
The king took several measures for the
economic development of the Kandyan
kingdom.
- Taking actions to develop agriculture.
- Encourage to enhance the cotton cultivation.
- Developing the iron and steel industries in
Kotmale and Walapane. - Take steps to develop nitre industry in the
Kandyan kingdom.
King Vimaladharamasooriya I, who attempted
to develop the kingdom of Kandy in this way,
died in 1604 A.D. after being infected with a
sudden fever.Fig. 8.1. A drawing of King Rajasinghe II. This was drawn by the
British national named Robert Knox, who stayed in this country.