Adigar
Encyclopedia
Adigar, known as Adikarm in Sinhala, was a feudal title
associated with high office during the existence of the Kingdom of Kandy
. Persons were appointed to the title and office by the King, these appointees made up the King's council of ministers. The only a very few Adigars existed at one given time and most senior of Adigars was known as the Maha Adikarm or 1st Adikar; similar to the post of a modern Prime Minister
.
s and a few other high officials of the kingdom made up the Radala Cast
, who were referred to as the Chieftains of Kandy by the British
. Many were instrumental in the surrender of the Kandyan Kingdom to the British
and were signatories to the Kandyan Convention
in 1815.
Tikiri Bandara Panabokke
, who was appointed to the honorary post of First Adigar in 1940. After his death in 1963 no appointments were made.
Title
A title is a prefix or suffix added to someone's name to signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may even be inserted between a first and last name...
associated with high office during the existence of the Kingdom of Kandy
Kingdom of Kandy
Kingdom of Kandy was an important independent monarchy of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century...
. Persons were appointed to the title and office by the King, these appointees made up the King's council of ministers. The only a very few Adigars existed at one given time and most senior of Adigars was known as the Maha Adikarm or 1st Adikar; similar to the post of a modern Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
.
Authority
As close advisers to the King they held much power, and many close relatives of the King being commonly appointed. Everyone on the road would have to make way for the Adigar as he was preceded by numbers of men cracking whips. Along with DissavaDissava
Dissava was a feudal title associated with high office in the Kandian and central region of Sri Lanka. Persons were appointed to the title and office by the King during the Kingdom of Kandy, these appointees headed the administration of a large province of the Kingdom known as a Dissava and was the...
s and a few other high officials of the kingdom made up the Radala Cast
Radala
The Radala refer to an extremely small minority caste in the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka. They were the aristocracy of the Kandyan Kingdom. After capturing the Kandyan provinces in 1815 with the aid of locals from both maritime and Kandyan provinces, the British created an extensive class of loyal...
, who were referred to as the Chieftains of Kandy by the British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
. Many were instrumental in the surrender of the Kandyan Kingdom to the British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
and were signatories to the Kandyan Convention
Kandyan Convention
The Kandyan Convention was an agreement in 1815 between the British and the Chiefs of the Kandyan Kingdom, in Sri Lanka for the deposition of rule King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. The king who was of Telugu ancestry faced powerful opposition from the Sinhalese chieftains who sought to reduce his power...
in 1815.
Duties
Adigars were the most senior members of the King's court, other than members of the Royal family. Their function was similar to that of a modern cabinet of ministers. Duties included acting as advisors to the king, appointing junior officers, being the judges and field commanders during military campaigns. The Adigar also signed all land grants made by the King.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.After the Kandyan Kingdom
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 nineteenth century, it soon became an honorary post and title. The last to hold the title was SirSir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Tikiri Bandara Panabokke
Tikiri Bandara Panabokke
Sir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke Adigar was a Ceylonese, prominent colonial era legislator, lawyer and diplomat. He was the first Minister of Health in the State Council and second representative of the Government of Ceylon to India.-Early life and education:Born Walala, Patha Dumbara on 28 March...
, who was appointed to the honorary post of First Adigar in 1940. After his death in 1963 no appointments were made.
Notable Adigars
- Pilimatalava Maha Adikarm - Singularity to the Kandyan ConventionKandyan ConventionThe Kandyan Convention was an agreement in 1815 between the British and the Chiefs of the Kandyan Kingdom, in Sri Lanka for the deposition of rule King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. The king who was of Telugu ancestry faced powerful opposition from the Sinhalese chieftains who sought to reduce his power...
and instrumental in the demise of the Kingdom of KandyKingdom of KandyKingdom of Kandy was an important independent monarchy of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century... - Molligoda Maha Adikarm - Singularity to the Kandyan ConventionKandyan ConventionThe Kandyan Convention was an agreement in 1815 between the British and the Chiefs of the Kandyan Kingdom, in Sri Lanka for the deposition of rule King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. The king who was of Telugu ancestry faced powerful opposition from the Sinhalese chieftains who sought to reduce his power...
, Dissawa of the Satkorale - Galagoda Maha Adikarm - member of the Galagoda family, father of Galagoda, Dissawa of Nuwarakalawiya.
- Angammana Adikarm - Succeeded Pilimatalava.
- SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Tikiri Bandara PanabokkeTikiri Bandara PanabokkeSir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke Adigar was a Ceylonese, prominent colonial era legislator, lawyer and diplomat. He was the first Minister of Health in the State Council and second representative of the Government of Ceylon to India.-Early life and education:Born Walala, Patha Dumbara on 28 March...
Adigar - first Minister of Health in the State Council and second representative of the Government of Ceylon to India - SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Cuda RatwatteCuda RatwatteAdigar Sir Cuda Ratwatte was a Ceylonese, the first elected mayor of Kandy and first person from Kandy to be awarded a knighthood from the British....
Adigar - first elected Mayor of Kandy