000			02091nam a2200181 a 4500
020			_a9781449023515
020			_a1449023517
082			_a954.9301 _bTHA
100			_aThambynayagam, Agnes Padmini;
245		4	_aThe Gentiles, A History of Sri Lanka 1498-1833
260			_aBloomington, Indiana : _bAuthorHouse, _c2009.
300			_axvi, 169 pages. _billustration.
500			_aIncluded Index
520			_aThere are many markers to suggest that the impact of Portuguese and Dutch rule on the society of Sri Lanka remains very deep. However, systematic studies of the impact are rare. The purpose of this book is to show the effect of this rule in a number of related fields: the development of social institutions, the transformation of religious practices, the establishment of an educational system and the evolution of language. The plural society we see in Sri Lanka today came about due to the occupation and settlement of the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British and other Europeans. Between 1505 and 1832, the population of the island evolved through the intermixing of people from European countries who had entered and settled there. The consequence of such an evolution over a period of three hundred years has resulted not only in much variation in appearance and skin colour, but also in the language, religion and culture of those now living in Sri Lanka. This book goes against all norms of traditional teachings and beliefs. History that took centuries in the making was crystallized in a few lesser-known and obscure journals and archives. Many of these archives have been ignored by previous studies. The author, a native of Sri Lanka, has assimilated a comprehensive bibliography of the literature and presents her findings to the reader. Her analysis and narrative give an insightful look at the era of Portuguese, Dutch and early British rule in Sri Lanka. The book, while controversial - perhaps even provocative at times - gives stimulus for future research in this area.
650			_aSri Lanka -- History -- 1505-1948.
650			_aSri Lanka.
942			_cBK
999			_c40727 _d40727