The Royal Palace of the Kandyan Kingdom

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The Maha Vasala (The Royal Palace) was the 14th-century political and spiritual heart of Kandy. Harmonizing indigenous and foreign architecture, the palace featured massive whitewashed walls. Though repeatedly destroyed by invaders, its surviving sections now house the National Museum and archaeological departments within the Dalada Maligawa complex.

Historical Overview

The Royal Palace of the Kandyan Kingdom, historically known as the Maha Vasala, functioned for over three centuries in Kandy as the political, spiritual, and cultural center of independent Sri Lanka. The remains visible today as the Royal Palace of Kandy form part of the residence of the last king of the Kandyan Kingdom, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (r. 1798–1815). However, the original palace complex was repeatedly burned and destroyed by European invaders, and subsequently reconstructed multiple times by successive rulers.

Architecture and Dimensions

The architectural style of the Maha Vasala represented a synthesis of indigenous Kandyan traditions, later incorporating subtle South Indian and even European influences (Obeyesekere, 2023). Historical accounts by British observers, including John Davy, indicate that the palace frontage extended over 200 yards (approximately 183 meters). The structure featured thick walls constructed of mud or stone, often whitewashed to create the appearance of a “mountain of silver.”

The exterior walls were adorned with triangular cavities known as diyareli bemma, which were used for lamp illumination during ceremonial occasions (Seneviratna, 1983).

Destruction and Reconstruction

During the reign of King Senarat (r. 1604-1635), the Portuguese launched an attack on the Kandyan Kingdom and destroyed the palace. Rajasinghe II, who ascended the throne in 1635, likely rebuilt the structure. Thereafter, all successive monarchs up to 1815—the year the kingdom fell under British rule—utilized this complex as their Royal Palace.

By the time of the last ruler, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (r. 1798–1815), the palace had evolved into a collection of multiple buildings distributed across the premises. Following the British occupation, the palace complex was repurposed for administrative use by British government agents.

Present-Day Remains and Usage

Today, only the front entrance of the original palace—located on the left-hand side of the Temple of the Tooth Relic—survives. This structure now houses the Museum of the Department of Archaeology. The former queen’s quarters are currently used as the district courts.

The building known as Palle Vahala, which now accommodates the National Museum, served as the residence of the queen and princesses during the reign of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (r. 1798–1815). Similarly, Meda Vahala, once occupied by the king’s relatives, now functions as the Folk Museum.

The Maha Gabadawa (royal stores) and the Aramudale (treasury) of the last king were most likely destroyed by the British, who constructed a new building on the site to house the Karachchi. This structure presently serves as the High Court.

Associated Structures within the Palace Complex

The Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) forms an integral part of the palace complex. Another notable structure is the Ulpange (queen’s bathing pavilion), situated along the edge of Kandy Lake near the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This pavilion was converted into a library by the British and is currently used as a police post.

References

Abeyawardhana, H. A. P. (2004) Heritage of Kandurata: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Kandy: Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Obeyesekere, G. (2023). The Many Faces of the Kandyan Kingdom 1591-1765: Lessons for Our Time (1st ed.). Sailfish, Perera Hussein Publishing House. (Original work published 2020)
Seneviratna, A., 1983. Kandy: An Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments With Historical, Archaeological and Literary Descriptions Including Maps of the City and Its Suburbs. Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Also See

Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale

Map of The Royal Palace of the Kandyan Kingdom

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Traveling Directions to The Royal Palace of the Kandyan Kingdom

Kandy can be reached from Colombo via the old Colombo-Kandy road (option 1), which is scenic but heavily congested, especially on Fridays and Sundays. However, the new Central Expressway (option 2) has opened up a new route, which is longer but less cumbersome.

Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy	Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy
Through: Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Warakapola – Kegalle – Kadugannawa Distance: 121 km Travel Time: 4.15 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Through : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.