Fig. 8.3. A family in the 19th century, who were engaged in the industry of weaving mats.
8.4 Social Organization
■ It was accepted that the owner of all land in the
country was the king.
■ The lands in the Kandyan kingdom were divided
into several parts based on the ownership and
enjoyment.
Gabadagama – The lands allocated for the use of
king’s palace
Nindagam - The lands granted to the aristocrats
for their service
Viharagam - The lands offered to the temples
Devalagam - The lands offered to the Devalas
Paravenigam (Nindagam) - The lands enjoyed
by the villagers for generations.
People supplied some service or a specific
amount of items to the king for the lands they
enjoyed.The countrymen's service system was called
‘Rajakariya’. It was a rural society that existed in the
Kandyan kingdom.- Village was self-sufficient.
- Its social relations were based on the caste
system. - Each caste had its own economic activities.
- Marriages were based on the caste system.
There were three type of marriages known as
‘Deega Vivahaya (the bridegroom accompanied
the bride to his house), Binna Vivahaya (the
bridegroom stays permanently in the house of