Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka
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Book Description
The island nation of Sri Lanka possesses a rich and sometimes troubled history that stretches back over 2,500 years. According to the nation's "origin myth," it was first settled by a band of 700 young men led by a Bengal prince who was banished from his homeland by his father, the king in 483 B.C. The civilization grew upon the economic prosperity of rice and tea cultivation that inspired the creation of one of the most sophisticated hydraulic systems in the ancient world. Sri Lanka's history has not been entirely idyllic, however. The cultural and technological advances enriched lives, but also created a weakness that outside invaders could exploit. As a result, the Singhalese have been ruled by Southern Indian invaders, as well as the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. "The Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka" provides a one-stop resource for the history of this intriguing country. Dictionary entries cover the people, places, and events that have shaped this country and are further supplemented by a detailed chronology, statistical tables, graphs and appendices. Includes bibliography.
About the Author
S.W.R. de A Samarsinghe is Associate Professor in the Department of International Health and Development at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, and Senior Economist of the Development Studies Program at the Tulane Institute of International Development. Vidyamali Samarsinghe is Associate Professor at the International Development Program of International Service at American University. Both authors were born and educated in Sri Lanka, and have written and lectured extensively on the economic, social, and political problems of the country.
Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka,Samarsinghe S.W.R. de A ,Scarecrow Press, Inc.,0810832801,Asia - General,Asia - India & South Asia,Dictionaries,History,History - General History,History: World,Reference,South Asia - History,Sri Lanka,Asian / Middle Eastern history,India,Reference works,Social Science / Reference
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