With the spread of Islam to West Asia and Persia, the Arabs took over the maritime trade of the Persians, who by that time had thriving links with South and South East Asia and by the 10th century the Arabs had founded settlements on the Malabar Coast of India.
Therefore, it was just a matter of time before the Arabs extended their influence to the Maldives. This Arabian influence culminated in the ruling monarch embracing the Islamic faith in the mid twelfth century.
Upon Conversion in 1153 AD, the Maldives was declared a Sultanate and the ruling monarch adopted the name of al Sultan Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Siri Bavanaadittiya Mahaa Radhun, popularly known as Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu.
Moroccan traveller and historian Mohammad Abdullah Ibn- Battuta, visited the country in 1343 AD., and served as the Chief Justice, for four years.
At the time of Ibn Battuta's visit, the country was carrying on a flourishing trade in cowry and other sea shells, tortoise shells, dried fish, copra, coir rope and ambergris to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Arabia, India , China and the Persian Gulf. Sultana Khadheeja Rehendhi Kambaidhi Kilege, the reigning monarch, was one of the most colorful personalities to grace the country's throne. She died in 1380, having ruled the country for a total of twenty nine years, in three separate reigns.
In the early Sixteenth Century, when the twice ousted Sultan Kalhu Muhammad enlisted the help of the Portuguese in Goa, India, to regain the throne. In return Kalhu Muhammad allowed the Portuguese to build a factory in Male'. In 1518, an expedition of 120 men under the command of Joao Gomes Cheiradinheiro, landed in Male' and proceeded to forcibly extract the country's produce. Before long, however, the Maldivians rose and slaughtered the Portuguese.
In the mid Sixteenth Century, the ruling monarch, Sultan Hassan XI, renounced Islam and fled the country. He traveled to Cochin, India and eventually reached Goa, where he was baptized by Francis Xavier. He later married a Christian lady. Hassan twice attempted to regain the country's throne, with the help of the Portuguese, but was unsuccessful both times.
In 1558, a powerful enemy expedition landed on the western shore of Male. In the ensuing skirmish the ruling monarch, Sultan Ali VI (1557-1558 AD.), was slain. Maldives had fallen prey to foreign aggression. Sultan Ali VI, or Ali Rasgefaanu, is buried on the very spot fell, on the Western shore of Male'. His enshrined tomb still remains.
The leader of the expedition, known in local tradition as Andhiri Andhirin, was harsh and cruel and the country's produce was forcibly extracted. Christian missionaries were at work in various parts of the country trying to convert the populace.
The liberation of the country from enemy hands was undertaken by some of the noblest sons born on Maldivian soil. The tale of the struggle of Mohammad Thakurufaanu, his two brothers (Ali and Hassan) and their compatriots, to free the country from the Portuguese yoke, is one that has reached legendary proportions in the Maldives.
Although the country was under enemy occupation their power did not extend to the Southern atolls. Mohammad Thakurufaanu and his compatriots established a power base in the island of Kolhufushi in Mulaku Atoll, and began a campaign of harassment against the aggressors.
After at least one abortive attempt at the capital island, Male', Mohammad Thakurufaanu, and his compatriots, traveled to Maliku (Minicoy), than under the rule of the Ali Rajas of Cannanore (India), and enlisted their help.
History tells us that on the 1st of the Islamic month of Rabee'l Awwal, 981 AH. (1573 AD.), in the dead of the night, Mohammad Thakurufaanu and his companions, attacked Male'. Andhiri Andhirin was slain and 15 years and 6 months of foreign occupation came to an end.
Mohammad Thakurufaanu was hailed a hero. He was crowned and ruled as Sultan Mohammad Thakurufaanu al A'zam. He ruled for fifteen years during which time he brought about many great changes in the social, political and religious life of the country. Son of Khatib Hussain of Utheemu Island, Muhammad Thakurufaanu was the first Maldivian monarch to form the local militia into one cohesive military body. He allotted monthly remunerations for the militia and issued new uniforms thrice yearly. Under his inspired rule, the country remained peaceful and free from injustice. The largest and the biggest mosque, located in the Islamic Center premises, is named after this noble Sultan. Sultan Mohammad Thakurufaanu died in 1585 and was succeeded by his son, Ibrahim Kalaafanu.
During Sultan Ibrahim's reign the Malabars attacked Male'. The island was plundered and the Sultan was slain at sea. The odi (local oceangoing vessel), with the corpses of the dead Sultan and his companions drifted to Mahibadhoo Island in Ari Atoll, where they were buried. The Malabars withdrew taking the crown prince Kalhuthukkala with them. However, Kalhuthukkala later escaped and returned to Male' and was crowned, Sultan Mohammad Imaduddin I.
In the mid seventeenth century, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar I [1648-1687], withheld the annual tribute being paid to the Mopla rulers. As a result a powerful expedition was sent against Male'. Sultan Ibrahim, learning of the coming Malabars sent a fleet to intercept and repel them before they could do harm. The Maldivian fleet encountered the Malabars in Thiladhummathi Atoll, in the north, where they were defeated by the Maldivians. This however, did not end the Malabar aggression. Finally, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar sent an armed fleet to the Laccadive Islands, then under the Ali Rajas. The islands were plundered by the Maldivian fleet and important personages captured and brought as captives to Male'.
Among the captives was the Amin of Maliku (Minicoy). The captives were made to pay a token tribute of 12 silver laaris (coins), and sent back to their country.
During the reign of Sultan Mohammad Imaduddin III, (1759-1767), the Moplas once again attacked Male'. The island was sacked and the Royal Palace was burnt down. The sultan and a number of his courtiers were abducted; and Maldives was once again under foreign domination.
The Malabar leader, Mohammad Bandor, was cruel and ill treated the islanders, reducing them to the status of slavery. Looting and rape were wide spread. But the country was not to remain in his hands for long. Within two months and twenty days, the islanders under the leadership of Dhon Hassan Manikufanu of Huraage' rose and slaughtered the occupiers.
The Malabars made two more attempts but Dhon Hassan Manikufanu, with the help of the French in Pondichcherry, India, defeated the Malabars. In recognition of his services, Dhon Hassan Manikufanu was awarded the title of Rannabandeyri, and later that of al Ghazi. He was also offered the throne, which he refused on the grounds that the legitimate sultan of the country, Sultan Mohammad Imaduddin III, was alive, though a captive of the Malabars. In 1759 AD., when news of the death of Mohammad Imaduddin III reached Male', he relented and was crowned Sultan al Ghazi Hassan Izzaddeen. Dhon Hassan Manikufanu or Dhon Banda rain, as he is popularly known, proved to be one of the best rulers Maldives ever had. He brought about many changes in the social and political life of the nation.
It was in the late part of the nineteenth century, when the influence of the British had spread to the Indian Ocean, that Maldivian independence was once again compromised. On the 16th of December 1887, the ruling monarch, Sultan Muinuddheen II, signed an agreement with the British governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Mr. A.H. Gordon, rendering the Maldives a British protectorate. Under the terms of the agreement the British did not interfere in the domestic affairs of the country, but retained control over the nation's foreign policy and defense.
In 1932, in the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin III, the first written constitution was introduced. A legislative body, the 'Majlis', was formed, laying the groundwork for a representational form of government. The architect of this British inspired constitution was Prime-minister, Amir Abdul Majeed Rannabandeyri Kilege'fanu.
The First Republic was declared in 1953 with Mohammad Amin Didi as the President. President Mohammad Amin Didi made invaluable contributions in all areas of Maldivian life. The presidency of Amin, however, was short lived. A monarchy was reestablished. It was a Constitutional Monarchy with Sultan Mohammad Farid on the throne.
On the 26th of July 1965, Maldives gained independence from the British. In this same year Maldives became a member of the United Nations. On the 11th of November 1968, the Sultanate was abolished and a Republic was established for the second time. Ibrahim Nasir was the president of this second republic. Nasir introduced English medium education for the masses and the country was opened to tourism. Nasir was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, who was sworn in as president on the 11th of November 1978. |
