Sri Lanka, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has been a land of fascination for historians and scholars throughout the ages. With a history spanning over thousands of years, this tiny teardrop-shaped island has witnessed the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the influences of various cultures, and the interweaving of religious and historical narratives. From the earliest accounts of ancient explorers to the more modern observations of renowned historians, Sri Lanka’s past has been a subject of great intrigue. In this article, we delve into the sayings and impressions of famous historians who have chronicled the captivating history of Sri Lanka.
1. Fa-Hien (c. 337 – c. 422 CE)
One of the earliest historical accounts of Sri Lanka comes from the Chinese Buddhist monk, Fa-Hien. In the 5th century CE, Fa-Hien embarked on a pilgrimage to India and Sri Lanka, seeking to collect Buddhist scriptures. In his travelogue, “Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms,” he described his experiences in the island:
“The kingdom of Ceylon is also called Singhala. There are here monasteries where there are four thousand monks. The Law of Buddha is still in existence and its professors are numerous. Their clothing and food, their rules of demeanour and propriety, their manner of sitting and lying down, and the transformation of their outward appearance – all are in harmony with orthodox observance. They read the scriptures and recite the sacred rules, without the smallest difference from the original teaching.”
Fa-Hien’s account provides insights into the flourishing Buddhist culture in ancient Sri Lanka and the strong adherence to religious traditions.
2. Ibn Battuta (1304 – 1368/9)
Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan scholar and explorer, traveled extensively across Asia, Africa, and Europe during the 14th century. In his famous travelogue, “The Rihla,” he recounted his journey to Sri Lanka:
“The Island of Serendib [Sri Lanka] is three months’ journey in extent, lying between the same two seas as India. It produces rubies and sapphires in great abundance, elephants, and tortoiseshell, and palms, coconut, and sugar-cane. People eat off banana leaves, and they have an abundance of fish and rice.”
Ibn Battuta’s account highlights the island’s natural resources and its significance as a trade center in the Indian Ocean.
3. Robert Knox (1641 – 1720)
The story of Robert Knox, an English sailor and trader, is a fascinating tale of resilience and captivity. In 1659, his ship, the “Anne,” was wrecked off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. Knox and his crew were taken captive by the King of Kandy, and Knox spent almost twenty years in captivity before escaping. In his book, “An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon,” Knox documented his experiences and observations:
“In the country there are two kinds of Religion; the one is the religion of the Bramins, which are the Priests of the Countrey, and the other that of the Malabars [Tamils], who are the People, who as I conceive, are the former Possessors of this Isle.”
Knox’s account provides valuable insights into the religious and social dynamics of Sri Lanka during the 17th century.
4. James Emerson Tennent (1804 – 1869)
James Emerson Tennent, a British colonial administrator and historian, served as the Colonial Secretary of Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka). His seminal work, “Ceylon: An Account of the Island,” published in 1859, remains a significant source on the island’s history. Tennent beautifully describes the allure of Sri Lanka’s landscapes:
“No island on the chart appears more beautiful; its surface undulating like the heaving of the sea, now swelling into lofty mountains and precipices; now sinking into romantic dells and valleys; clothed in perpetual verdure, and intersected by sparkling rivers and purling streams; its vegetation combining the luxuriance of the tropical forest with the rich profusion of the temperate zone.”
Tennent’s work reflects the colonial fascination with the island’s natural beauty and resources.
5. Paul E. Pieris (1864 – 1959)
Sri Lankan historian Paul E. Pieris is best known for his meticulous research on the island’s ancient history and culture. In his book, “Ancient Ceylon,” published in 1917, he delves into the prehistoric origins of Sri Lanka:
“In Ceylon, we come nearest to what the first cities of the world must have been like. Its towns are to the present day situated amidst the most fruitful fields, within the sight and the sound of its rivers, and their ruins, now overgrown with the jungle, are often beautiful in their desolation.”
Pieris’s work sheds light on the early urbanization and civilization in Sri Lanka.
6. Senarat Paranavitana (1896 – 1972)
As a renowned archaeologist and epigraphist, Senarat Paranavitana significantly contributed to the understanding of Sri Lanka’s ancient past. His studies on ancient inscriptions and historical texts have been invaluable to historians. In his book, “The Story of Sigiriya,” published in 1956, Paranavitana unravels the mysteries surrounding the ancient rock fortress:
“No record has yet been discovered to show who built the Citadel of Sigiriya or when it was constructed. It is not mentioned by Fa-Hsien, the Chinese pilgrim monk, who visited Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the 5th century AD. Ibn Battuta, the Arab traveller of the 14th century, refers to the ‘iron mountain’ (perhaps an allusion to the fortress). According to the 17th-century Sinhalese chronicle, Culavamsa, and an inscription found in 1938, the name of Sigiriya itself is of comparatively late origin and signifies the Lion’s Rock. Neither the chronicle nor the inscription ascribe the building to King Kasyapa.”
Paranavitana’s meticulous analysis of Sigiriya has been instrumental in uncovering the fascinating history of this ancient fortress.
Conclusion
The sayings and observations of famous historians reveal the richness of Sri Lanka’s past and its enduring allure as a historical and cultural treasure trove. From the early accounts of Fa-Hien and Ibn Battuta to the detailed research of Robert Knox, James Emerson Tennent, Paul E. Pieris, and Senarat Paranavitana, each historian’s perspective adds a unique layer to the narrative of Sri Lanka’s history. These historical accounts continue to shape our understanding of the island’s past and inspire further exploration into its captivating heritage.
As we conclude this journey through the eyes of famous historians, we are reminded that Sri Lanka’s history is a tapestry woven with threads of cultural diversity, ancient civilizations, and the enduring spirit of its people. In the modern era, preserving and studying this rich heritage remains essential, ensuring that the stories of the past continue to captivate the world for generations to come.
