Organization of Buddhist Bikkhu against British Colonialism (An Investigation with Reference to the battle of 1818 against British)

Abstract

Attacks of the 1818 and 1848 were the the National freedom battles that took place against British Colonization of Sri Lanka .The Objective of this research is to investigate in to the organization of Buddhist Bikkhus in 1818 at the time of Sri Lankan independent encounters .Historical Methodology was used as the Methodology in this research . Activities of the Buddhist Bikkhu were a threat to the British and it was a clear factor that Bikkhus took the land in the hostility .As British came to know that Buddhist Bikkhus were taking the lead for the national freedom of the Island, the British authorities in Sri Lanka took action to curb the Buddhist Organization with the consultation of King of England .Buddhist priests name Ihagama, Poddalgoda, Millagaswewa, polwatte, ratanapala, wariyapola and Dobaglle Unnanse were the Reverend Buddhist priests who took the lead in the Battle of 1818 against British for the national freedom of the Island . The Strategy Adapted to win the battle were holding of secret meeting, deploying of sleuths, using Bikkuhu as sleuths, trying to develop foreign relationship with intention of getting king from Burma, conducting lectures against British, trying to integrate British hostile forces, conducting oblations and psalms, offering bribes etc . It could be identified that Buddhist priests of the entire Island were the patriotic leaders who were interested in organizing the activities to safeguard the country and the Buddhist Religion from the British colonization . It was a completed deferent activity that was adapted by the Buddhist priests of that era than in the present day .