When Kandy was the Capitol of Ceylon-by Dr. Tilak S. Fernando

The up-country reign was divided into 21 sectors. Out of 21 sections, the kingdom was divided into 12 main sectors, with a separate section head (Disapathy) in charge of every section who possessed the executive powers (civil and war affairs). These Disapathys collected taxes from the king’s subjects and sent taxes to Kandy. Disapathys paid all the facilities of the king and paid to the Government stores annually. They rented land not for the money but for their service to the King.

However, economic growth cannot be compared with Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras. It was mentioned that, unlike the dry zone, up country being a wet zone, there was adequate water supply in the up-country in both seasons (Yala and Maha) because of the river’s water ways were available adequately. Apart from that, some rivers and waterways made the earth retain water which would be ideal for agriculture. During the 17th Century kings in the upcountry didn’t say much because they didn’t have to do much apparently. However, due to political reasons and the independence of the nation, some kings had to do various things.

That may be why some of the kings had to do something due to political reasons, the security, and economic establishment of the country. King Wimaladharmasuriya was one of them who took some action. The hill country made some progress and founded several foundries and encouraged the cotton industry. It was mentioned in the Mandaram news.

Following list gives in detail how the income of the Kandy King was generated:

1. Whenever a King was crowned, all the gifts were offered to the King by all Adikarms, Disapathies, and senior officials.

2. After the New Year, what are senior officials paid to the Treasury annually?

3. Out of Royal Stores bags of rice and paddy.

4. Out of royal estates and lands the produce.

5. Out of the areca nut income of all ‘Koralyas,’ main establishment, including all three ‘Koralayas’ on areca nuts.’

6. The King possessed the sole ownership of precious stones.

7. Kada Service (Marala Badda) – if a person dies who owned cattle (a calf, a cow, or even a buffalo) had to be given to the King. Kada Service (Land tax) – during the Kandy Reign (the land tax) was the main tax form.

Society, occupation, and their social standing

During the Kandy reign, the income came to the king by land tax.

One remarkable feature of the upcountry regime was that those who lived in the King’s Palace, known as the Pariwahara, enjoyed special privileges. The upcountry kingdom had a unique system of distributing land (Badawadili) to those who lived in the Palace.

The king’s Ministers were known as Nilames, Adi Karam, and Chief Adikam. When they toured ordinary people had to pay respect to them. Anyone, except the royal family, was banned to sit in the presence of Nilames. When Adikarms walk, others had to get to a side. A very special costume adorned the Adikarms. Regarding Kath Rice Service – the entire reign had organised the number of paddy seeds to be handed over to the Kath Idam (ekkayanta) organisations and the amount of spreading of paddy seeds was taken into account, and out of this common tax was exonerated from the farmers. If anyone did not pay the tax (as there were records in the royal office) the person who avoided tax could be jailed in a store. Dugganna Ralas declared those who were dead.

In 1817 John Doyley and James composed the name list of the up-country Nilames:

Second Adikarms

Sathara Korale Dissawa

Hath Korale Dissawa

Mathale Disawa

Sabaragamuwe Dissawa

Udunuwara Rate Mahattaya

Yati Nuwara Rate Mahattaya

Thunpane Rate Mahattmaya

Haarrispatthuwa Rate Mahattmaya

Dumbara Rate Mahatmaya