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Colonial powers and
the Maldives
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.
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Maldivian woman
sweeping her yard |
The Portuguese did not allow the Maldivians
to relax even after their 1573 debacle.
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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