Statue of king Parakrama 1896

This is a photograph of a statue of King Parakrama, taken by Henry William Cave, a British author and photographer, most likely in the late 19th century. Cave travelled extensively in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. His photographs and writings catered to a Western audience eager to learn about the exotic cultures of the British Empire. King Parakramabahu I, who reigned in the 12th century, is celebrated for his military achievements and vast building projects, including temples and irrigation systems. In Cave’s time, the statue became a symbol of Ceylon's rich history, a key element in the cultural and political landscape as the island was under British rule. Cave's work is more than a simple record; it reflects the power dynamics of the colonial era. By studying travelogues, official archives, and the writings of local scholars, we can better understand the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized and appreciate the statue of King Parakrama as both a historical artifact and a cultural symbol.