Dona Catherina of Kandy

Dona Catherina
Queen of Kandy
Dona Catherina being welcomed by the General Conquistador Pedro Lopez de Souza
Reign	1581
Predecessor	Karaliyadde Bandara
Successor	Rajasinha I
Issue	Rajasinha II of Kandy
House	House of Siri Sanga Bo
Father	Karaliyadde Bandara

Dona Catherina (d. 10 July 1613), also known as Kusumasana Devi, was ruling Queen of Kandy in 1581.

She was the daughter of king Karaliyadde Bandara, but was sent to Portuguese Ceylon as a hostage and brought up in European style, taking the name Dona Catarina.

After the death of her father in 1581, the Portuguese installed her as a client ruler in the Campaign of Danture. She was at this point a teenager. She succeeded her father Karaliyadde Bandara as king of Kandy. The attempt was a disaster, with Portuguese forces completely wiped out. She was deposed by Rajasinha I of the Kingdom of Sitawaka in the same year she ascended the throne.

In 1594, she became the Queen Consort to King Wimaladharmasuriya I to solidify his rule after the defeat of King Rajasinhe I three years prior. Finally, she married her former brother-in-law King Senarath Bandara who succeeded to the throne following the death of King Wimaladharmasuriya in 1604, also to solidify his legitimacy as ruler.

She had issue from King Wimaladharmasuriya, three children. Mahastana Adahasin, Surya Mahadahasin and Santana Adahasin.She also had Kumarasingha Astana, Vijayapala Astane and Mahastane from King Senerath Bandara. Mahastana Adahasin died in 1612 after sickness of six days. The youngest son of Dona Catherina (Mahastane) later succeeded his Father as King Rajasinhe II, who is known for the agreement made with the Dutch to end Portuguese rule. Her ascendency was contingent on converting to Buddhism. She secretly taught Catholicism to her subjects during her life.

She fell sick after her son Mahastane Adahasin died in 1612 attributed to excessive grief by Philip Baldaeus, and died on 10 July 1613. She was 35 years at the time of her death.

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