Of Kandy’s bloody battle and a road named after Adam Davie
“The Saga of Kandy is a remarkable one. It is a record of how a small landlocked kingdom, with about half a million impoverished souls, politically disunited, not particularly warlike, economically strangled, continued a prolonged struggle for survival against three European foes at the height of their prowess.”
L.S. Dewaraja
Watapuluwa is about five kilometres from Kandy. A bloody battle to prevent the British forces attempting to take over the Kandyan kingdom was fought at Watapuluwa, Nittawela, Mavilmada, Wagolla and Lewella areas on June 26, 1803. At this battle the British troops were massacred and Major Adam Davie was taken along the Paranagantota Road and held as a special prisoner of the King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha who had ascended the throne after King Sri Rajadhi Rajasingha died in 1798.
No longer Davie: The road name was changed to Paranaganthota four years ago
Sir Frederick North was Governor from 1798-1805. His priority was to look into the matters that concerned the Kandyan kingdom. With the disunity among the Kandyan chieftains and Adigar Pilimatalauva’s ambition to ascend the throne, North knew he could make use of this situation for the benefit of the British invasion of Kandy. He fished in troubled waters to achieve his goal.
The Governor forwarded his requests to the King, to permit a military road to be made from Trincomalee to Kandy, a garrison to be stationed in the Kandy area and Colonel Hay MacDowall to be the Ambassador. The King did not accede to the first two requests but accepted MacDowall as Ambassador.
In April 1802, a group of Kandyans seized a convoy of arecanut at Puttalam from merchants who were under British protection. This provoked Governor North who used this incident to declare war in 1803. Underestimating the enemy, he expected a quick end to the war.
The Kandyans used guerrilla tactics to attack the British troops. Malaria and other diseases held back the troops. Their food supplies were dwindling. The terrain was unfamiliar to the British and this hindered them. Colonel Barbutt reported that the troops were unfit and some were dying.
North’s second treaty also was not acceptable to the king. The war was to continue. But because of this decision the British garrison in Kandy had to pay a heavy price. Barbutt also died of fever in May and Major Adam Davie was appointed to command.
Major Davie received an order from Colombo to evacuate the fort of Kandy. But he could not do so as there was no adequate help to move and transport the sick.
Davie received a warning on June 23 from Chief Minister Pilimatalauva that the Kandyans were about to attack. In this battle the British troops were massacred. Major Davie hoisted a flag for a truce and indicated his desire to retreat with the troops which were fit, together with Prince Muttusamy who was favoured by Governor North to be placed on the throne, and proceed to Fort MacDowall in Matale and then to Trincomalee.
He marched upto Watapuluwa to cross the Mahaweli ganga from the Paranaganthota ferry (thota). The river was in flood and there were no boats available although they had been promised. The terms of the agreement were breached, and the next day the Kandyans insisted that Muttuswamy be handed over or they would not supply the boats. Surrendering Muttuswamy to the king was sure death. Two requests made were stalled. But the third was very precise; if Davie did not compile with the request, the remaining garrison would be attacked. In good faith Davie handed over Muttusamy to the Kandyans. He was escorted to Kandy where he was beheaded.
Even after the surrender, the boats were not provided to take them across the river. The British troops were forced to stay in the jungle. They started making rafts by cutting the bamboo trees which were on the river banks. (Even at present bamboo trees are seen in abundance on the river bank close to the monument near the Ceylon Tobacco Company and the Colombo International School).
The troops could not cross the river and they retreated to Wagolla and Lewella where they were massacred.(According to folklore, the name Lewella could mean blood in the sand). The sick who were left behind in the hospital were put to death. This incident was recorded by a Corporal who pretended to be dead but later escaped to Fort MacDowall.
Davie and three others escaped but Davie was taken as a prisoner to the king along the Paranaganthota road. Governor North and MacDowall made many attempts to secure his release but the king refused. The king allowed Davie to live in Kandy and he married and lived there until his death.
Until very recently the road leading to the river was known as Davie Road, but just about three or four years ago, its name was changed to Paranaganthota. The cement plaque with ‘Davie Road’ written on it has been painted over and is seen next to the new name board at present.
A monument made of stone was placed near the river to commemorate this little remembered chapter in the British conquest of Ceylon but the lettering has faded and it cannot be deciphered.
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.