Radala

Quick Facts: Who was Radala?

Subject:

Radala

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A Sinhala aristocratic subcaste originating from the nobility of the former Kandy Kingdom.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Radala refers to a small minority group in Sri Lanka in the former provinces of the Kingdom of Kandy, who are either descendants of chiefs and courtiers of the King of Kandy of Nayaks of Kandy or descendants of native headmen appointed by the British colonial administration following the Uva Rebellion in 1818. Radalas often refer to themselves as the aristocracy of the Kingdom of Kandy and claim the term came into use following the throne of the Kingdom of Kandy went to the Nayak Dynasty, whose family members constituted the royalty of the kingdom. The British referred to this group as chiefs who held the high offices of state such as Adigar, Dissava and MahaLekam which appointments were not hereditary and these individuals could not ascend to the throne as the Nayak royalty could. This group of chiefs were instrumental in deposing the last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha and signing the Kandyan Convention in 1815, which transferred the Kingdom of Kandy onto the British crown. John D'Oyly does not make any reference to a particular group called Radala in his writings.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

This group came to dominate national politics in the post-independence era, under the former Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike a direct descended of one of the signatories of the Kandyan Convention. True Kandyan Old Radala Family names (Before the British in 1815) include Dodanwala (Mahanuwara), Nugawela (Harispattuwa), Amunugama, Ratwatte, Aluwihare (Matale), Ehelepola (Matale), Weragama (Matale),Mampitiya (Udunuwara), Pilimatalawe (Yatinuwara), Dullewa (Matale), Dunuwila (Matale), Panabokke (Udunuwara) and Rambukwella (Dumbara) The offspring of Kandyan Kings from concubines of non-royal blood of the harem known as Yakadadoli received appointments in court and in the provinces. This practice continued into the British period and was abhorred as a degrading form of ancient tyranny and abolished by the British in 1818 under the proclamation of 12 November 1818, by Governor Robert Brownrigg. Apart from having to continuously dress in full in the presence of the King, the Radalas did not have to rise from their seats like other commoners when the king's dirty linen was taken past them. They were permitted to use their own ancestral and military insignia, swords, umbrellas, and jewellery and wear shoes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Some Chiefs were merely personal attendants of the King. The Diyawadana Nilame was the King's personal valet responsible for bathing and dressing of the King. The traditional Kandyan Radala of the past had considered themselves to be an exclusive caste and not part of the Govigama caste. Bryce Ryan observed, as recently as 1953, that Radalas repudiated Govi connections and that the status of the Govi caste still remained relatively low in villages where the Radala existed. The demand by the Kandyan Radala elite for a separate federal state in independent Ceylon, the representations made to the Donoughmore Commission and the formation of the Kandyan National Assembly (KNA) as recently as in 1924, demonstrates the reluctance of the Kandyan elite to be governed by arriviste low country Govigama families of dubious ancestry, which was to be the inevitable outcome of the British departure.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1815: 1815 Milestone — This group of chiefs were instrumental in deposing the last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha and signing the Kandyan Convention in 1815, which transferred the Kingdom of Kandy onto the British crown.
2. 1818: 1818 Milestone — Radala refers to a small minority group in Sri Lanka in the former provinces of the Kingdom of Kandy, who are either descendants of chiefs and courtiers of the King of Kandy of Nayaks of Kandy or descendants of native headmen appointed by the British colonial administration following the Uva Rebellion in 1818.
3. 1924: 1924 Milestone — The demand by the Kandyan Radala elite for a separate federal state in independent Ceylon, the representations made to the Donoughmore Commission and the formation of the Kandyan National Assembly (KNA) as recently as in 1924, demonstrates the reluctance of the Kandyan elite to be governed by arriviste low country Govigama families of dubious ancestry, which was to be the inevitable outcome of the British departure.
4. 1953: 1953 Milestone — Bryce Ryan observed, as recently as 1953, that Radalas repudiated Govi connections and that the status of the Govi caste still remained relatively low in villages where the Radala existed.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Radala

True or False: “The Radalas were always considered part of the Govigama caste structure throughout their history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historically, the traditional Kandyan Radala viewed themselves as an exclusive caste and distinct from the Govigama caste.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Radala