Explore a detailed history of Ceylon from a 17th‑century European perspective, translated for today’s readers.
This edition presents Ribeyro’s History of Ceylon, a narrative that covers the island’s complex clash of powers in the 1600s. With an appended discussion that situates past events in their broader context, the book offers both descriptive chapters and reflections on governance, warfare, and society in the island’s colonial era.
Readers will encounter accounts of campaigns, armistices, and political maneuvering among Portuguese, Dutch, and local rulers, along with notes on the island’s religious life and cultural shifts. The translation and added chapters aim to illuminate how early modern Colombo, Galle, and neighboring regions shaped regional history.
- Concrete descriptions of military actions, alliances, and peace settlements in Ceylon during this period
- Insights into governance, administration, and the daily life of colonial-era communities
- Context on religious practices, priesthoods, and cultural changes that influenced society
- Editorial notes and appendices that broaden the historical framework with contemporary sources
Ideal for readers of colonial and South Asian history who want a focused look at how early European powers interacted with local states in Ceylon.