The History of Ceylon, from the Earliest Period to the Year MDCCCXV: To Which is Subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical Relation of the Island

A. M. Philalethes; Robert Knox

doi:10.1017/CBO9781139198684

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The History of Ceylon, from the Earliest Period to the Year MDCCCXV

The History of Ceylon, from the Earliest Period to the Year MDCCCXV

To Which is Subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical Relation of the Island

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A. M. Philalethes, Robert Knox

Publisher:: Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:: November 2015
Print publication year:: 2012
First published in:: 1817
Online ISBN:: 9781139198684
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139198684

Subjects:: Area Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, South Asian History, British History after 1450, Asian Studies, History, Anthropology
Series:: Cambridge Library Collection - South Asian History

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This 1817 book by 'A. M. Philalethes' traces the history of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from the classical period to 1815, providing details of the religion, laws and manners of the people. An appendix contains an account, originally published in 1681, by Robert Knox (1641–1720) of his nearly twenty-year captivity on the island. The identity of the pseudonymous 'Philalethes' is not certain: he may have been Robert Fellowes (1770–1847), who, however, never visited Ceylon, or the Revd G. Bissett, who did. The book, which includes topographical notes and a collection of moral maxims and ancient proverbs, begins with classical accounts of the Island of Ceylon by Ptolemy, among others, and moves from this 'imperfect acquaintance with this remote region' to Knox's 'lively picture of the state of the country and manners of the people' which, according to 'Philalethes', was among the most important possessions of Great Britain.

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The History of Ceylon, from the Earliest Period to the Year MDCCCXV

To Which is Subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical Relation of the Island

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CHAP. LVI
pp 323-337

CHAP. LVII
pp 338-341

PART I - CONTENTS TO KNOX'S HISTORY
pp 342-344

Miscellaneous Frontmatter
pp 345-346

Preface
pp 347-358

CHAP. I - A general description of the island
pp 359-365

CHAP. II - Concerning the chief cities and towns of this island
pp 366-371

CHAP. III - Of their corn, with their manner of husbandry
pp 372-385

CHAP. IV - Of their fruits and trees
pp 386-399

CHAP. V - Of their roots, plants, herbs, and flowers
pp 400-403

CHAP. VI - Of their beasts, tame and wild. Insects
pp 404-420

CHAP. VII - Of their birds, fish, serpents, and commodities
pp 421-432

PART II

CHAP. I - Of the present King of Candy
pp 433-443

CHAP. II - Concerning the king's manners, vices, recreations, religion
pp 444-457

CHAP. III - Of the king's tyrannical reign
pp 458-465

CHAP. IV - Of his revenues and treasure
pp 466-471

CHAP. V - Of the king's great officers, and the governors of the provinces
pp 472-481

CHAP. VI - Of the king's strength and wars
pp 482-488

CHAP. VII - A relation of the rebellion made against the king
pp 489-494

PART III

CHAP. I - Concerning the inhabitants of this island
pp 495-506

CHAP. II - Concerning their different honours, ranks, and qualities
pp 507-518

CHAP. III - Of their religion, gods, temples, priests
pp 519-529

CHAP. IV - Concerning their worship and festivals
pp 530-543

CHAP. V - Concerning their religious doctrines, opinions, and practices
pp 544-550

CHAP. VI - Concerning their houses, diet, housewifery, salutation, apparel
pp 551-564

CHAP. VII - Of their lodging, bedding, whoredom, marriages, and children
pp 565-573

CHAP. VIII - Of their employments and recreations
pp 574-585

CHAP. IX - Of their laws and language
pp 586-605

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The History of Ceylon, from the Earliest Period to the Year MDCCCXV

To Which is Subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical Relation of the Island

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