Dona Catherina of Kandy

Reign

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 Rajasinghe I of the Kingdom of Seethawaka in the same year she ascended the throne.

Queen consort

In 1594, she became the Queen Consort to King Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy to solidify his rule after the defeat of King Rajasinhe I three years prior.^[1] Finally, she married her former brother-in-law King Senarath Bandara who succeeded to the throne following the death of King Vimaladharmasuriya in 1604, also to solidify his legitimacy as ruler.^[2] Her ascendency was contingent on converting to Buddhism, but she secretly taught Catholicism to her subjects during her life.

She had three children by King Vimaladharmasuriya - Mahastana Adahasin, Surya Mahadahasin and Santana Adahasin. She also had three children, Kumarasingha Astana, Vijayapala Astane and Mahastane by King Senerath Bandara. Mahastana Adahasin died in 1612 after six days of sickness. Her youngest son Mahastane later succeeded his father as King Rajasinhe II, known for the agreement with the Dutch to end Portuguese rule.

She fell sick after her son Mahastane Adahasin died in 1612, with her illness attributed to excessive grief by Philip Baldaeus. She died on 10 July 1613 at the age of 35.