A collection of articles by the author covering the early modern history of Sri Lanka, exploring themes such as political relations, administrative systems, social structures and religious influences. The Dutch established a foothold on the island in 1638 and went on to conquer the maritime districts setting up an administrative structure which existed until 1796 when the Island fell under British control during the Napoleonic Wars. During the period of Dutch control, the indigenous Kingdom of Kandy retreated into the interior and a number of the articles explore the relationship between the Dutch and this state. Others focus on the development of commercial policy, social changes impacting the traditional caste structure, and the consequences of Dutch religious policy.