MALDIVES

Maldivian history can trace back to 600 BC and it is a history that Maldivians are proud to inherit. It tells us of the courageousness, the spirit, self pride and independence of our patriotic ancestors. It shines with the triumphs achieved through noteworthy bravery and wisdom.

Legends have it that people came to Maldives from Sri Lanka. Koemala Kalo, a strong and handsome youth married a ruler. This youth lived a bad and unruly life, which made it difficult for the King's subjects to live with him.

One day, the king put his daughter, son-in-law together with 700 other people with lots of food and gold and told them to sail away from Sri Lanka anywhere they wished. It seems that they came to Maldives where they landed at an island called "Rasgetheemu" in Raa Atoll. Here they saw three birds in flight and followed them on their ships. Once they lost the birds but strangely enough found them again, this time perched on another small island. The voyagers called this island "Dhoonidhoo".

After anchoring their three big ships in "Dhoonidhoo Harbour" ( as it is called today ) the voyagers proceeded on boats and arrived at Male' where they set up a small kingdom of their own. Even today Male' remains the mainland of Maldives ever since.


The people living in Male' at the time of these new arrivals were known as "Redhin". They offered no trouble to the new settlers and thus all lived happily and peacefully thereafter.

Some historians claim that the "Redhin" were Dravidian migrated from South India. The "Redhin" were dark skinned inhabitants whose original destination was one island "Giravaru," but they were by then scattered all over Maldives. In my opinion they must have come to Maldives in about 1500 BC and I have quite relevant reasons to think so which I cannot go into detail in this rather brief article.

Folklore tells us that from the very beginning whence the history could trace back we find Aryans in Maldives with Queen Kamala Seetha on the throne ruling Maldives and the religion was Hinduism.

Very much later, on AD 4th July 1958, Maldivian Government established a historic committee in the name "Dhivehi Tharikh Liyaa Committee" under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Services to do research on history. They despatched emissaries consisting of Late Al-Fazil Mohamed Ismail Didi and photographer Mr. Ali Najeeb to "Ariadhoo" in Ari Atoll to excavate a large hill found to contain some vital historical monuments. They discovered a Hindu temple with many nude statues of gods and goddesses no inscriptions were found. This discovery was made on 3rd Feb. 1959.

From Hinduism, the Maldivians converted to Buddhism that took place about BC 300. In Thoddo, a dagobo a temple and a beautifully carved statue of Lord Buddha was dug up from another big hill by the same emissary and in addition Mr. A. H. H. Manik (the prose-writer of this article) sent by the same historical committee. This took place on 8th June 1959. Vol No. 11, under the name "Thoddoo Book" of a certain magazine, covering the above issue was put together containing a lot of important information and many snapshots of the temple and of Lord Buddha.

History writer, Ammianus Marcellenus wrote that by AD 362 a delegation visited the court of Emperor Julian. This delegation consisted of "DIVI" and "SARANDIVI" referring to Sri Lankan. This tells us of the close liaison established between Maldivians and Sri Lankans then. It is the same, even today (1980s) as one thousand and eighteen years ago.

Al - Allamathul Masoodhi, in his book "XRM Murujuzzahab" writes that in AD 913, Maldives were rule by a queen and the religion was Buddhism . He wrote that the people of Maldives were patriotic, brave and good natured. They were hospitable to all kind of guest. This book was written when he was in Sri Lanka and it gave a lot of the Chola Kings from South India, seized Maldives along with the Laccadive Islands. However, Maldives soon became liberated by the noteworthy act of some heroic ancestor of ours.


The religion of Islam followed Buddhism in Maldives, and here the credit for the sacred conversion is due to the Arabs who were in gradual contact with the country and thus prepared the Maldivians to receive Islam. In the year AD 1153 Islam, officially were accepted and proclaimed as the religion of the country by King Mohamed Bin Abdulla (1141 - 1166) then reigning on the throne. Even among the Arabs we have identify the saint chiefly responsible for this holy Quran. He was Maulana Abdul Barakaat - ul Barbaree.

From AD 1558, the Portuguese administered Maldives for fifteen long years under the cruel rule of Captain Andreas Andre (Andiri Andiri). The Portuguese got the opportunity through King Kalhu Mohamed (the only surviving descendant of the Hilaaly Dynasty) and Queen Buraki Rannin, and his officials. Their thirst for power made them ask aid from the Portuguese Viceroy in Gao (India). The Portuguese killed A-Sultan Ali the sixth and Andiri Andirin took over the thrown. This degrading rule ended with the rising of the three Utheemu Brothers from Thiladummathi Utheemu, who put an end to the fifteen years of torture domination.

In the year AD 1752, Maldives were captured again. This time it was a Malabar expedition sent by Ali Raja of Kannanur. Al - Ghazee Mohamed Samsuddeen and his brother Al - Khatheeb Ahamed Muhiddeen wrote to Ali Raja asking help so that they may take Maldives under their power. However, Maldives found herself under Ali Raja of Kannanur instead of the traitorous conspirators. By the heroic leadership of Don Hassan Manik known as "Don Bandarain" the enemies were driven away. The Malabar period of ruling lasted for only four months.

The next marked direct connection with a foreign power in the past was with the English. This was in AD 1887 when Maldives surrendered to the English at gun -- point.


In AD 1883 Athirege Ameer Ibrahim Dhoshimeyna Kilegefaanu became the prime minister. A year after, the people of Maldives forced him to abdicate his office for certain reasons. Being an Ambitious person he tried everything possible to get back that position that he had lost. He went to the extent of committing crimes, shaming and degrading his own self. The most ignominious of all his actions was that he asked help from his "Friends"----the English.

At the same time it happened that Germany also wanted Maldives for her own needs. Now the English were eager to get Maldives before the Germans could. The English were only too happy and ready to give their aid to the ambitious leader, Ibrahim Dhoshimeyna Kilegefaanu and his son Ameer Ahmed Didi.

Rear Admiral W. M. Richards and Captain Rodney N. Lloyd were despatched to Maldives to issue the agreement in the name of the people of Maldives and making it sound as if it was their wish. The delegation was sent by the British Government in Sri Lanka, Sir Arthur Hamilton Goron, G.C.M.G.and they arrived aboard H.M.S. Britton. The delegation sought the acting Chief Justice Sheikh Mohamed Jamaaluddeen to write the agreement for them in Arabic. This was met with outright refusal from the Sheikh, plus the Sultan Mohamed Mueenudden the second prime minister Kakage Ameer Mohamed Rannabadeyri Kilegefaanu and the public. They proved loyal patriotists.

The delegation returned to Sri Lanka and came back with the agreement written in Arabic through their own source, for the signature. This was refused too, and then the king was forced to sign the agreement at gun -- point. The Maldivians had no choice. Maldives surrendered, and the act of signing took place in AD 16th December 1887.

The English termed the system they imposed on Maldives "protectorate" and were supposed to give protection from external powers and defend the country.

However, interference in the internal affairs took place often on the request of the traitorous and ambitious persons.

After 78 years of their so-called "Projectionist role" the English finally recognized the full independence and sovereignty of Maldives and the new agreement granting this was signed in Sri Lanka on AD 26th July 1965, between the British Government led by Sir Michael Walker and the Maldivians led by a patriotic leader His Excellency Ibrahim Nasir R.B.K. then the prime minister, and later President of Maldives until 1978.
However, even at their last moments of departure, there is the evidence of the part they played to create violation and upset in the country. The traitorous Mr. Abdulla Afeef, the leader of the unsuccessful coup d'etat planned in SurveydHeep, is even today, being kept in Seychelles under the English protection.

More readings on this topic will be found in the Divehi magazine "Amaaz" No. 92, dated March 1980, magazine "Tharikh Mazaumin" Vol. 2 (written by A.H.H.Manik) and also the supplement of the same, No. 2 under the topic "Bodu Hulhuge Tharikh" (The History of the Great Fire) printed on 01st Feb. 1981.

I do not believe in the Maldivian historic writings of H.C.B.P. Bell in his Monograph, for, he wrote it on the information he derived from the already mentioned Ameer Ibrahim Didi Dhoshimeyna Kilegefaanu.

Apart from what had been just written, there still remains a lot of Maldivian history for discovery. For this reason, Uz Maumoon Abdull Gayyoom, the President of Maldives, established the "Council for Research on Maldivian History and Culture" on 2nd Feb.1978.

After achieving independence in 1965 Maldives joined the United Nations on 21st Sept. 1965. Today, Maldives pursue a role of non-alighnment in her international relationship and also maintain diplomatic relations with 43 countries.
Note

The archipelago of the Maldives is studded with 26 natural atolls and a total of 1,190 coral islands, of which only some 200-odd are inhabited. Each island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon, enclosed by a coral reef, which safeguards the island from the hazards caused by a rough, turbulent sea. Hundreds of these islands with other coral growth collectively form an atoll. Almost all islands are flat with no hills or mountains and freshwater ponds are found only on the few larger islands.



Male' is the hub of the Male' Atoll (2,430 sq.miles.), comprising of the old North and South Male' Atolls. In this chain, stretching for over 62 miles from north to south, only ten islands apart from the capital are inhabited.

Some of the islands are used for specific purposes. Funadhoo, for example, is set aside for oil tank workers while those of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi are primarily fishing islands. Kuda Bandos on the other hand offers a beautiful beach and a lagoon apart from luxuriant vegetation.

To the west of Male' Atoll stretches the Alifu or Ari Atoll (831.25 sq. miles.). In the north the large island of Thoddu is where one can see the remains of a Buddhist temple. In 1958 a huge statue of Buddha was found hidden in a chamber along with a chest containing a silver bowl, a small gold cylinder, and two coins, one of them of Roman mintage dating way back to 90 B.C.

South of Alifu Atoll is the Faafu Atoll (242.9 sq.miles.). In the southern island of Nilandhoo one can find the Aasaari Miskiiy, the second oldest mosque in the Maidives. It is a magnificent structure of well-cut stone with ornamental wooden scrollwork decorating its interiors. The island's other attractions include a vast Hindu temple complex with many phallic sculptures which was unearthed by the Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl and ornate friezes of pre-Islamic Buddhist temples.

Isdhoo is an island situated in the Laamu Atoll (446.13 sq.miles.) located in the south of the central chain of islands. The major attraction here is the Friday Mosque, which is over three centuries old. The mosque's lacquered supports, flowing calligraphy, and finely carved rafters reflect the kind of craftsmanship that once flourished in such remote islands in the Indian Ocean. Today though much of the interior has fallen prey to decay. Gadhdhoo is another island of this atoll. Just 80,000 sq.meters. in area, it has one of the most impressive of ruins to be found anywhere in the Maldives. From the forest cover rises the remnants of a once enormous stupa, the Vadiyaamagu hawitta. In its heyday, the huge white limestone pyramid, glistening in the sun and standing against a backdrop of lush green vegetation must have made an imposing sight.

Lying south of Laamu Atoll across the One and Half Degree Channel is the Huvadhu Atoll (6,486 sq.miles.), the largest true atoll formation in the world with a lagoon area spanning 864.6 sq.miles.

The Gnaviyani Atoll (4.81 sq.miles.) is unique in the sense that it is formed by a single island, that of Fua Mulaku. The island which has captivated generations of travellers with its raw beauty, is one of the most fertile in the Maldives, producing a variety of tropical fruit. Fua Mulaku's main draw is the Kedeyre Mosque. Built by the beach, the mosque and its adjoining bath are examples of adroit workmanship. The immaculately kept mosque is also surrounded by beautifully carved tombstones. The remains of other interesting architectural works like a hawitta, or a mound, of what was once a Buddhist stupa, establishes the fact that the island was inhabited for thousands of years. A few hundred meters from the hawitta is another attraction, the Dhiguvanu Mosque.

Meedhoo, an island located in the southernmost atoll of Seenu (84 sq.miles.), which is one of the rarest naturally protected atolls in the Maldivian archipelago, is where important personages have been entombed in the Koaganu cemetery.

Apart from these little-known islands, there are over 70 resort islands spread across the island chain enticing tourists with their sun-kissed beaches and tranquil lagoons, the turquoise-blue waters studded with pristine corals, and the swaying Dhivehi ruhs or coconut palms, splashing rich hues of jade, azure, turquoise, and sapphire - shades so quintessentially tropical

Randhodi
North Male' Atoll Rep of Maldives
TEll:00960-326598