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Abstract

This thesis is a study of the political and social structure of the Kandyan kingdom between 1707 and 1760. The introductory chapter gives a brief survey of-the sources used in this work and sketches the general history of Kandy before 1707. Chapter II attempts to trace the origin of the Nayakkar dynasty and the circumstances that led to its establishment in Ceylon, The nature of the Kandyan nobility and the basis of its power is discussed in the third chapter. The relations between the Kandyan nobles and the king in the reigns of Narendrasimha (1707-1739), Sri Vijaya Rajasimha (1739-1747) and the earlier part of the reign of Kirti Sri Rajasimha (1747-1760) form the theme of the next three chapters. Chapter VII attempts to discuss the interplay of religion and politics. The central and provincial administration and the judiciary of the Kandyan kingdom in the eighteenth century with special reference to the part played by the bureaucratic nobility is discussed in chapters VIII and IX. The final chapter contains an account of the Kandyan court ceremonial and its effect on the relationship between the king and the nobles.