India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Glossary of Sinhalese Folk Terms appearing in the Service Tenure Register

Ganwasama:—Sometimes written Gammasama. The tenement held by a Ganwasama, the superior class of tenants in a village. Their panguwa supplies the proprietor with persons eligible for appointment to the subordinate offices in a village such as Vidane, Lekama, and Kankanama. The Ganwasama people are often of the same social standing as the proprietor and sometimes are related to him. They are generally the wealthiest people in the village and hold the most fertile lands. Consequently they have to make heavy contributions in the shape of adukku and pehidum to the proprietor and his retinue on his periodical visits, to his officers coming on duty and to his messengers dispatched with orders to tenants. They also have to give the Mahakat monthly, the Penumkat at festivals, and Dankat during Was, and to feed the workmen in the Muttettuwa and officers superintending the work. In the same manner as the Uliyam-wasama has to provide all the ordinary labour in a village so the Ganwasama has to provide all that is required for strangers visiting the village and generally to discharge the duties of hospitality for which the Kandyan villages are celebrated. This entails upon the Ganwasama the necessity of setting apart a place called the Idange for lodging strangers. The whole charge of the Muttettu work devolves on the Ganwasama which also has to superintend and assist in building work at the proprietor’s house attend at his house on festive and other occasions in times of sickness and at funerals bringing penumkat and provisions. A Ganwasama tenant has to accompany the proprietor on his journeys on public occasions, and to guard his house in his absence. A woman of the panguwa has likewise to wait on the lady of the house and to accompany her on journeys. The Ganwasama takes the lead in the annual presentation of the tenants before the proprietor. In temple villages, in addition to the above services performed to the lay chief, the Ganwasama has to superintend and take part in the preparations for, and celebration of, the festivals.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Patabendi, Mahekada, Durawasama, Hewawasama, Nilawasama.

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