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| Friday, 9 July 2004 |
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Pilimatalavuva Maha Adikaram's role in the Kandyan Kingdom by Ananda Pilimatalavuva (Extract from the book "Pilimatalavuvas In The Last Days Of The Kandyan kingdom")
He assumed office as Second Adigar in 1787 and was elevated to the post of First Adigar or Pallegampaha Maha Adikaram in 1790 by King Rajadhi Rajasimha. On the death of this King he used his power and position to enthrone Sri Vickrama Rajasimha as King even though he was not in the line of succession, with the patriotic motive of re-establishing a Sinhalese dynasty later. During the time of King Kirthi Sri Rajasimha he built the inner sanctuary of the Sri Dalada Maligawa which an invader had left in ashes and then in 1801 built the Asgiri Aluth Vihare also known as Vijesunderaramaya after him, close to the Parana Vihare (Meda Pansala) built by his father. He has been described as "portly and well looking, a man of great power and intrigue" by Robert Percival and by Tennent as "one of the most illustrious nobles boasting their descent from the Royal line of Ceylon". The Adigars commendable trait was his love for his country and his wish to have a Sinhala to rule over Sinhale. Although there were many of the Bandara Valiya suitable to occupy the throne, they all shared a failing in that no one would allow another to rise higher than himself. This inherent jealousy among the aristocracy and the fact that the Nayakkar dynasty under Kings Kirthi Sri Rajasimha and Rajadhi Rajasimha had identified themselves closely with the Kandyan national interest and religion, skilfully blending the Nayakkar dynasty into the Kandyan background, had convinced him that no Kandyan Sinhala Radala could ascend the throne without outside assistance. Hence he adopted the next best strategy of placing his own man on the throne to await favourable circumstances to restore a Sinhala line. The thought was noble. Pilimatalavuva the great Adigar, was King Sri Vickrama's benefactor, the King in gratitude allowed him to exercise all powers of the throne for some time, while he retained only the pomp of regal office. Sometime after the death of Migastenne Udagampahe Adigar in 1806, the King divided the administration of the Disavani of Sath Korale between Ehelapola and Molligoda. As this was against custom and previous practice and involved payment of additional taxes the people objected and a formidable uprising resulted. Pilimatalavuva promised to restore order provided the disavani was divided between him and his son-in-law Ratvatta Devamadde Nilame. Using his power and prestige he successfully brought the district under control. The King was pleased. But this happy situation changed with the stories of the Adigar's intrigues with the English Governor and his negotiations to dethrone him coming to his ears, besides there were serious differences of opinion between them over rajakariya labour and governance. Even though the English adventure of 1803 to Kandy was a set back to the Adigar, he continued with his negotiations with them. But the King was now wiser and strong enough to act against him. Therefore he deprived the Adigar of all his offices and deposed him of his powers sometime after mid 1803. The estranged Adigar sojourned in Saparagamuva for two years and as luck would have it hastened back to Kandy when he heard Sri Vickrama Rajasimha was seized with smallpox and reestablished his power and confidence. The Adigar had not suffered his disgrace in silence, but continued to plan the King's removal. Hence when he found the British had different ideas and would not fall in line with his, he decided to act alone by bringing the Javanese mercenary guards to assassinate the King and revolt before inviting the English to enter Sinhale and establish a Sinhala dynasty with Mampitiya Bandara the son of King Kirthi Sri Rajasimha and his Yakadadoli Mampitiye Dugganna Unanse as King. The plot failed as the King was found to be awake when he was expected to be asleep and Yatinuvara and Udunuvara rose prematurely. The charge against him this time therefore was a very serious one. King Sri Vickrama Rajasimha craftily arranged a trial before a court of chieftains. The court sat for three days with the King as judge and the chiefs as jurors at the great Audience Hall or Magul Maduva ironically in proximity to the Dalada shrine and the deities of Natha, Maha Vishnu and Paththini. As the charges were clear the chiefs forced the King to pronounce his own judgment. The King was ready to forgive the Adigar, but the Adigar responded "My Lord my hands are full of corns as a result of bearing you in them" "It is true" replied the King "but is it not worse to kill the infant that you have so long nursed with such watchful care". Sri Vickrama was still willing to pardon the Adigar once more, provided he took an oath never to at against his government. To every one's surprise the chieftain brimming with patriotism responded by refusing to take the oath and saying he did not plan to hurt the King but only to rescue the country from mismanagement. It was obvious that his resolve to free the country of King Sri Vickrama's misrule and the entrenched Vaduga dynasty was so overpowering and indomitable that he preferred death at the hands of the executioner rather than taking an oath not to work against him and be pardoned. Immediately in anger the King ordered his execution and he was taken to the Kumara Hapuwa where members of the nobility were executed at the foot of Bahiravakanda, for execution. After testing the sword himself, the great chieftain is supposed to have told the executioner "I possess the will to make such use of this blade, that in a few minutes the King's officers shall all be prostrate on the ground, but I know to respect law and order". He was executed in May/June of 1811 and his remains cremated at the family cremation grounds at Alakolange now Pilimatalava. Thus passed away the once powerful chieftain who stood for the protection of the people and was looked upon as the only man who could have brought King Sri vickrama Rajasimha to his senses. On a sober assessment of the Chieftain at this distance in time it is clear Pilimatalavuva undoubtedly was a patriot and the shrewdest and ablest of the Sinhala leaders with unsurpassed negotiating skills which he used in good measure to out manoeuvre Governor North and the English at every turn. Governor North and the British losers never forgave him for preventing them from capturing Kandy and therefore described him as 'treacherous, perfidious' and 'unprincipled'. He was ready to betray the king but never the Sinhala kingdom. |
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Pilimatalavuva Maha Adikaram was the third son of a family of Kandyan
chieftains who descended from an old established family which served the
Sinhalese kings from ancient times on one side and revived and restored by
the assimilation with royal South Indian nobility who arrived in the
Kandyan kingdom during the reign of Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasimha of
Kundasale. His father and elder brother also served as Maha Adikaram
before him.
