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 Maldives
Islands
History |
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| MALDIVES
ISLANDS - HISTORY |
The
origin of the first settlers of the Maldives still remains a mystery.
The historians date early settlers back to 5th century BC with the
Aryan immigrants coming from the neighbouring countries India and
Sri Lanka. The Maldivian language is said to be Indo-Aryan with influences
from Sinhalese, Tamil, Sanskrit, Persian, Urdhu and Arabic. It is
believed that Hinduism existed before Buddhism. The Maldivians were
practising Buddhism until AD 1153, when a learned scholar converted
the king to Islam. The exact name and origins of this scholar is an
ongoing debate. Some are of the opinion that he was a Moroccan traveller
named Sheikh. Abul Barakaath Yoosuful Barubaree. Others say that he
was from Persia and known as Sheikh Yoosuf Shamsudheenul Thabreyzi.
Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Luthufi, an acclaimed contemporary historian and
researcher, claims that the name of the person who converted Maldivians
to Islam was Sheikh Aburikaab Yoosuf Thabreyzi.
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Since
the conversion to Islam, the Maldives boasts of a recorded history
that is rich and colourful. The system of government was a monarchy
with Sultans as sovereigns while Sultanas or queens ruled on rare
occasions. Traders from Arabia, India, Sri Lanka and Persia visited
the Maldives to exchange goods. Slaves were also brought from Africa.
Quite often, sailors were shipwrecked in the treacherous reefs of
Maldives. These visitors contributed much to the language and culture
of the Maldives. However, the visitors' influence did not change the
identity of the country as a secluded haven virtually unknown to the
rest of the world.
The
abundance of cowry shells, coir rope and ambergris in Maldives attracted
Portuguese interest in the country during the 16th century. Consequently
the Portuguese launched attacks against Maldives. Their attempts were
in vain until a better equipped and organised fleet attacked the capital
Malé. In 1558 they seized control of the country, after defeating
Ali 6th, the reigning Sultan. Since then, they administered Maldives
from Goa in India but had their armed forces and a leader stationed
in Maldives. Muhammad Thakurufaanu, from the island of Utheemu in
Thiladhunmathi Atoll, waged an effective resistance against the invaders.
In 1573 after fierce guerrilla warfare Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his
compatriots defeated the Portuguese invaders. Muhammad Thakurufaanu
was offered the throne and remains a revered national hero.
The
Portuguese did not allow the Maldivians to relax even after their
1573 debacle.
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 Giraavavu
decendents claimed to be the indegenous people of the Maldive Islands.
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The
country had a restless time fighting off the colonial pursuits and
had to strengthen its defence by building forts and acquiring more
arms. Nevertheless there was a substantial time period before the
country was captured by an invading force. Malabari pirates from
the nearby south Indian coast finally succeeded in 1752 in seizing
the Maldivan throne in the capital, Malé. They abducted the
Sultan and took him to their country and placed some soldiers to
administer Maldives. Only four months later Maldives regained control
under the leadership of Muleege Hassan Maniku or Dhon Bandaarain
who belonged to a family from Huraa in Malé Atoll.
The
British colonial ambitions in the Indian Ocean had their effects
on Maldives. They recognised the strategic location of Maldives
and the prospect of Maldives being under any other colonial power
was unacceptable to them. It was in a period of uncertainty, political
rivalry and turmoil in the Maldives that the British offered Maldives
a treaty, which was to become a watershed in Maldivian history.
Some Maldivian politicians also needed British co-operation to suit
their ambitions. It was in this atmosphere of instability that the
Maldives went into the agreement with British in 1887. The British
pledged to protect the Maldives from any foreign aggression while
the Maldives in turn agreed not to collaborate with any other foreign
power without British consent. The British were also not to interfere
with the internal affairs of the Maldives.
Historians
differ in their opinions as to the extent of the independence that
Maldives enjoyed under the status of a British Protectorate. It
was evident that the Maldives was not a colony per se, however the
government of the Maldives sought the advice of British Governor
in Ceylon on major issues.
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A
written constitution did not exist in Maldives till 1932 and the customs
and traditions along with Islamic Shariah formed the Law. The sultans
usually consulted a group of advisors or bodun who included his ministers
and the Fandiyaaru or Chief Justice. The Islamic scholars usually
exercised much influence in the government affairs but quite often
they were replaced when the Kings were at odds with them. The hereditary
system continued to exist but in many occasions the helm of power
shifted from one family to the other following internal uprisings
and the demise of kings. A constitution was introduced in 1932 after
the emergence of a new educated elite. The new constitution, which
provided for a People's Assembly of 47 members, did not survive long.
It was literally torn apart by the public and the reigning Sultan
Mohammed Shamsudheen 3rd was dethroned shortly thereafter in 1934.
The Sultan was believed to have used exceeded his legal powers. A
new constitution was formed in 1937.
In 1948 the existing agreement between the Maldives and the British
were renewed.
In 1953 the Maldives changed from a monarchy to a Republic. Mr Mohammed
Amin Didi was the first President of the Maldives. He was a popular
politician who had won a referendum held to determine the type of
government that the Maldives should have. However, the Republic was
short-lived. After a mere eight months Amin Didi was |
A mosque which symbolyses Islamic faith |
overthrown
and a Sultanate was formed once again. The people were outraged because
of the prevailing food shortages and the total ban of tobacco by Amin
Didi. The Second World War caused famine that continued even in the
early 1950s. Against this backdrop it was quite easy to manipulate
and mobilise the ignorant masses for political ends by Amin Didi's
rivals.
Since
the failure of the First Republic, the Maldives was a Sultanate until
1968. The intervening period saw the rule of only one king. Sultan
Mohammed Fareedh was to be the last monarch of the Maldives.
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During the Second World War, British built a military base in Gan
of Addu Atoll and Kelaa of Thiladhunmathi Atoll. They evacuated the
bases soon after the war. However, British interest in the Maldives
revived during the late 1950s. The British were successful to conclude
an agreement with the Prime Minister Ibrahim Ali Didi for the lease
of Gan in Addu for 100 years. This agreement signed in 1956 provided
Gan, located in the southern tip of the Maldives, as an airfield for
the British. It also included the provision of a part of Hithadhoo
in Addu Atoll as a radio communication centre for the British.
The agreement was heavily criticised in the Maldives, and led to the
resignation of the Prime Minister. He was succeeded by Mr Ibrahim
Nasir who sought to solve the problem regarded by the Maldivians as
an issue endangering the territorial integrity sovereignty of |
Mohamed
Amin Didi introduced republic system of government to the Maldives.
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Maldives. However, the government of Mr Nasir was to face more serious
problems that threatened the integrity of the country. While the British
developed Gan as a base for Royal Air Force, the people of the three
southern most atolls revolted against the government of Mr Nasir.
They formed a separate government and declared the 'United Suvadheeb
Republic' in 1959. The British support for them was suspected by the
government. The grievances of the people of these three atolls against
the government were not entirely unjustified. For centuries, the people
of the Huvadhoo, Fua Mulah and Addu Atolls sailed in their wooden
vessels odi to Sri Lanka and India and exchanged goods. They travelled
independently to these countries without stopping over at Malé;
hence there was no government control over these |
trade affairs. However, Mr Nasir introduced measures which were unfavourable
to the three southern most atolls including the prohibition of direct
sail to the neighbouring countries without clearing through Malé.
The workers in Addu who could have enjoyed the benefits of direct
payment from the British were also disappointed with the arrangement
in which they were paid through the government in Malé. They
believed that the government controlled the exchange rates to their
disadvantage.
The separatist uprising was brought to an end by the government of
the Maldives in 1963 in some atolls with brute force. However, the
unease and hostility continued. The government of the Maldives negotiated
with the British for a diplomatic solution. Maldives demanded more
independence than the existing agreements provided for. In 1960 an
agreement was signed reducing the period of British stay in Addu to
30 years. The British finally agreed to give independence to the Maldives
and an agreement was signed in 1965. This historic agreement was signed
on 25 July 1965 in Sri Lanka. However, the British presence in Addu
Atoll continued till 1976
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Ibrahim Nasir lead Maldives to independence. |
In
1968 the monarchy was ended and a Republic wasformed. On 11 November
1968, Mr Ibrahim Nasir was proclaimed the First President of the Second
Republic. In 1978 Mr Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom was elected the President
of the Maldives. He has been the President for the past 26 years.
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| Maumoon
Abdul Gayyoom became the second president of the second republic. |
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