Which Kingdom in the interior of Ceylon was defeated by the British in 1815?

The Kingdom that was defeated by the British in 1815 is Kandy. This historical event marked a significant turning point in Sri Lanka's history, as Kandy was the last stronghold of native resistance against British colonial rule. The British had been expanding their control over the coastal areas for several decades, but Kandy, located in the central highlands of the island, remained independent and served as a center of governance for the Sinhalese kings.

The defeat of the Kandyans stemmed from a combination of military strategy and political maneuvers. The British took advantage of internal divisions within the kingdom and also negotiated with various local leaders, leading to the eventual capture of Kandy. This defeat resulted not only in the annexation of the kingdom to British rule but also in the broader consolidation of British control over Sri Lanka, leading to significant changes in administration, land ownership, and the economy of the region.

Understanding this context is crucial for grasping the implications of colonialism in Ceylon, especially regarding the shifts in power dynamics and cultural impacts that followed after Kandy's fall in 1815.