Maha Adigar

The Mahâ Adigâr (Sinhala: මහා අධිකාරම්) (also known as Adikārama, Adikār)[1] was a Great Officer in the Amātya Mandalaya, or Sinhalese Council of State, in the Sinhalese Kingdoms of premodern Sri Lanka. The office was second in power and dignity to the King. Like many of the existing high offices at the time it had combined legislative and judicial powers and functioned primarily equivalent to that of a Prime Minister and Chief Justice, but also had duties in the government of a province.[2] During the Kandyan period there were two Adigars, who were styled Mahâ Nilames (Grand Officers), the Pallegampahê Mahâ Nilamê and the Udagampahê Mahâ Nilamê, the former taking precedence over the latter.

Mahâ Adigâr of Kingdom of Kandy
Maha Adigar Ehelepola Nilame (1811-1814)
StyleMahâ Nilame
Member ofAmātya Mandalaya
Reports toThe Monarch
SeatKandy
AppointerThe Monarch
Premodern Sri Lanka
Part of a series on the politics and
government of the Sinhala Kingdom
Royal Court
MonarchKing
Queen consortRandolis
Sub king / Heir apparent
Yuvaraja
ConcubinageYakadadoli
Amātya Mandalaya
(Council of State)
1st Prime MinisterPallegampahê Mahâ Nilamê
2nd Prime MinisterUdagampahê Mahâ Nilamê
Chief SecretaryMahâ Mohottâla
Provincial GovernorsMahâ Dissâvas
Royal Household OfficersDugganna Nilamês
Sons of ChiefsBandâras

History

The constitution and laws derived by the earlier kings of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambadeniya guided the later kings of Kotte and Kandy in accordance with the Lex non scripta of the country. In most instances it is believed that these customary laws, dating from remote antiquity, to have been originated from the ancient written laws of which no records have remained. No regular records remain owing, in all probability, to the wanton destruction of literary records and libraries during the several invasions from the continent of India. One most devastating example committed by the Cholas at the beginning of the thirteenth century where the island suffered irreparable losses both from a literary and political point of view, due to the furious destruction of the invaders.[3]

In the Sinhalese Kingdom the Monarch was the absolute ruler, however the monarch was assisted in the exercise of the functions of government by the Amātya Mandalaya which was headed by the Mahâ Adigârs, a position equivalent to that of a Prime Minister.[4] By the Kandyan period there existed two Adigars who were styled Mahâ Nilames (Grand Officers), the Pallegampahê Mahâ Nilamê and the Udagampahê Mahâ Nilamê, the former taking precedence over the latter, though remaining equal in power. These names were derived from the districts under the Rajakariya system, where services due from the inhabitants of these areas having been given to the two Adigârs.[5]

Following the expansion of British rule into the provinces of the former Kandyan Kingdom, since 1815 the British retained the office of Adigar appointing Kandyans loyal to the British Crown. Although the office remained a powerful one till the late 19th century, it soon became an honorary post and title. The last to hold the title was Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke, who was appointed to the honorary post of First Adigar in 1940. After his death in 1963 no appointments were made.

Functions

The Mahâ Adigâr was second in power and dignity to the monarch, and there was usually two in number who possessed equal powers. Like many of the other high offices in the country the Mahâ Adigâr had combined legislative and judicial powers. They acted as judges to the Wahal Habe (the King's Court) and also had the command of the guards called Katupulle, and would act as chief of the military and on field commanders during military campaigns.[6]

Though the office was very powerful, his emoluments and influence was less than that of a Mahâ Dissâva, a provincial governor, so the government of a province was added to his office of Adigâr. Being Prime Minister also, the Adigâr would reside in the city which was the seat of government, however according to Kandyan law his wife and children would be taken as hostage for his good conduct, during his absence, whenever he visited the provinces over which he was Dissava.[5]

The Adigâr signed all land grants made by the King and appointed junior officers.[6]

Tenure

There was no time limit for the office holder as he held the post at the pleasure of the King, which meant throughout his life, if not incurred the displeasure of the King. It was not hereditary, although members of the same family have been appointed.

Wealth

With his appointment into office the Adigar would have to pay the king, his appointee, five hundred "Silver Coins", and a similar sum every new year (dakum). However he would in turn receive large sums of money through junior officers he has appointed receiving around 10 silver coins per year from them. The Adigar further received a portion of fines collected, income from ferries operated, and from liberated prisoners.[6]

List of Maha Adigars
Maha Adigar Pilimatalavuva
Pallegampahê Mahâ Nilamê
Udagampahê Mahâ Nilamê
  • Pilimatalavuva Arava Tikiribandara (1738-1762)[7]
  • Pilimatalavuva Vijesundara Mudiyanse (1773-1778)[7]
  • Pilimatalavuva (1787-1790)[8][7]
  • Pilimatalavuva Vijesumdara Rajakaruna Navaratna Attanayake Bandaranayaka Mudiyanse Ralahamy (1805-1814, 1815-1818)[7]
  • Ehelepola Nilame (?-1811) - Instrumental in the demise of the Kingdom of Kandy[11]
  • Molligoda (1811-1814) - Singularity to the Kandyan Convention, Dissawa of the Satkorale
  • Ratwatte Nilame (1825-1827) - Dissawa of Matale and signatory of the Kandyan Convention
Unknown dates
  • Angammana - Succeeded Pilimatalava.[6]
  • Galagoda - member of the Galagoda family, father of Galagoda, Dissawa of Nuwarakalawiya.[6]
Titular

See also

References

Citations
  1. Yule & Burnell 1886, p. 7.
  2. Knox & Paulusz 1989, p. 155.
  3. Ekanâyaka 1876, p. 297.
  4. Ekanâyaka 1876, p. 298.
  5. Ekanâyaka 1876, p. 299.
  6. Jayatunge 2019.
  7. Pilimatalavuva - Family #3146 2019.
  8. Pilimatalavuva 1993.
  9. "Family # 3114 Ehelepola".
  10. De Silva 2014, p. 297.
  11. "Family # 3114 Ehelepola".
  12. The Island 2011.
  13. "Family # 3158 Nugawela".

Bibliography
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