A Modest Arsenal – Gunpowder Weapons in Sri Lanka

From the sixteenth century through the early nineteenth century, gunpowder technology transformed warfare on the island of Sri Lanka. This study examines how firearms and artillery were adopted, deployed, and integrated into local military systems, drawing on diverse historical sources to illuminate the technological, economic, and political factors that shaped these changes. The investigation reveals how external innovations were adapted to suit Sri Lankan conditions and strategic interests during a pivotal period of military evolution.