PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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or organized, and waiting the fitting moment to unite their force with the rebels. A Pretender of low birth, named Wilbawe, assumed the title of King of Kandy, and took the field, sustained by the active exertions and attendance of Buddhist priests. The same stratagems and tactics were adopted then as in 1848.
The post communications were stopped, the villages deserted, the houses abandoned, the na- tives absconded to the jungle after hiding their valuables and driving off their cattle.
Strong hopes were entertained at the commence- ment that by vigorous measures, the civil power aided by the military, could put down the insurrec- tion. They dispersed the insurgents whenever they encountered them in the open field, burned their villages, sequestrated and carried off their property, and in consequence some few of the headmen and their followers came in, made their submission and sued for forgiveness.
The Historian of the period says:—
"In consequence of these favourable appear- nces, sanguine hopes were entertained during the month of November, that the flame of insurrection was nearly extinguished. These hopes were not, however, destined to be realized. The insurrec- tion continued to extend, and in February the whole of the Kandyan provinces were placed under martial law.
"In March, 1818, all the country was in arms against us, except the lower part of Saffragam, the Three and Four Korles, Oudeneurs, and Yattineura; and, excepting the first Adignar, every chief of consequence had either joined the rebel standard, or was under arrest, and confined for favouring, or being suspected of favouring the rebel cause.
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“It was a melancholy time to those on the scene of action, and many began to despond and to pro- phesy (what indeed was far from improbable) that the few districts not yet against us would join the enemy; that the communication between Colombo and our head-quarters at Kandy would be cut off, and that we should be very soon obliged to evacuate
the country, and fight our way out of it.”
This state of things continued for nearly two
years.
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Martial law was proclaimed throughout the whole of the Kandyan provinces on the 21st of February, 1818, and continued in force a whole year till suspended by proclamation on the 12th of February, 1819. And on the 1st January, 1818, the Go- vernor issued a proclamation confiscating the pro- perty of all rebels, and applying as rewards for the services of the loyal and well affected.
In comparing this rebellion with that of 1848, and the means taken respectively to quell the revolt
on each occasion, it must be borne in mind that in 1848 we had in Ceylon but 2789 troops of all kinds
fit for duty; and only 400 or 500 effectives in the Kandyan province.
Whereas in 1818, General Brownrigg had 9500 troops under his command, of whom 8000 were effectives.
With this comparative force the rebellion of 1848 was repressed in two months, whilst that of 1818 raged for two years.
And martial law, which was maintained in the one case, throughout the Kandyan kingdom for an an entire year, was proclaimed by Lord Torrington
in but two districts, and suspended at the end of two months.
But it has been said that in 1818 the country was unopened by roads, and the war was carried on in the forests, whereas in 1848 we had con- structed roads to facilitate the movement of troops.
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There is a misapprehension here, however, for though roads have since been made in other dis- tricts, none that are easily traversable have yet been opened in the portion of the country where the rebels were congregated, and in others in which we most apprehended revolt, in Dombere, Bintenne, Welasse, Wallepane and Oova; in each and all of which there were unmistakeable symptoms and preparations for movement®.
The most unfounded, or where they have any foundation, the most exaggerated statements have been made as to the cruelties alleged to have been perpetrated under Lord Torrington's orders during the military operations for the suppression of the rebellion of 1848.
These statements I shall presently undertake
• When in pursuit of the Pretender, in 1848, Captain Watson and his men out upwards of 500 miles of jungle paths through the fresta, in order to open up communications."
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