KOTTE – THE WEALTHIEST IN THE 16TH CENTURY – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando
In the sixteenth, Ceylon was divided into three regions: Kotte, Up-Country and ‘Yapa’. Of course, the principal and the wealthiest was Kotte. Agriculture (Paddy growing) was the main crop. Still, within the Kotte area, tea, rubber, coconut, Cinnamon, areca nut, and precious stones, including elephants, were sourced from other regions. The King’s income was an important factor in terms of security.
Once, King Buwanekabahu protected his reign from enemy attacks from the Portuguese by signing an accord by offering a bribe of a considerable amount of money (Kurunduwahara three hundred) to obtain war equipment,
Tax depended on each profession, such as Kinnara Badda, Raja Badda, Kottal Badda, Kottal Badda et al. During the 13th Century in Kotte, officials who collected such taxes were called Vidanes. Their duties were to approach those who had to pay taxes to the royalty, and the collected taxes were sent to appropriate sections.
Folks, Their Occupation and Social Status
Villages produced everything required for themselves, which is known as self-sufficiency. The town had connections with other villages to a certain extent. However, there needed to be unity in an economic pattern in villages.
The drummer
The King’s wish was always carried out. Usually, the drummer spread messages to announce that the King wanted his subjects for certain services, such as road building, work on waterways etc. The King was responsible for calling individuals who had to pay taxes to the royalty and explaining how the appropriate tax was calculated. Vidane sent all collected taxes to the relevant section in the Majesty’s section.
Kotte’s epoch was self-sufficient, believing that whatever village/town was minimal. There was no economic unity during this epoch.
The King was powerful enough to call on his subjects at any moment. As a regular practice, the King used his authority to send drummers to collect people when necessary for public works such as war affairs, repairs or construction of waterways.
In Ceylon, during the middle of the 15th Century total population was 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand), and a person’s lifetime was limited to 35 years. Infant death rate and deaths of pregnant women during childbirth seemed excessive due to the spreading of pandemics.
During this period, it indicated that paddy cultivation was given a prominent place. According to a classical poem by Hansa Sandesaya, there were 12,000 paddy fields at various locations. And ponds full of coconuts, mangoes and other fruits were grown for beauty.
When the King donated land for “devalaya” /Kovil, the official was known as ‘gamladda’, and the grounds were named ‘ Muttthetuwa’. That official was able to seek assistance to do agriculture from Neighbours. Kotte King Parakramabahu VI, at the early stages of his reign, converted Vijaya Ba Pirivena into a University.
Trade & Technology.
Whatever was necessary for articles, such as building construction, cattle management, and the jewellery industry, thrived during this era.
In the 15th Century, Cinnamon became the main export product. During the Kotte Reign, King Bunekabahu VI sent a shipload of Cinnamon to India. One Rayan Malaawnayek tried to interfere with the Cinnamon, which caused a battle, as the old history books indicated
Some Ceylonese spices were also seen when Arabian traders were involved in European transactions.
In this Century, there were several agreements with China. History also revealed that Muslims in the coastal area had become busy trading from ferry boats.
During the Kotte reign, traders had gone into the country and collected luxury goods such as Ivory. Whatever was said and done, the Kotte era was considered a golden era out of all kingdoms in the country.
( The writer translated the late Prasad Milinda Siriwaradena text on- Ceylon Economic Analysis from Sinhala to English between BC 543 and 1832).
