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| History of Maldives - Dhivehi Tareek - Part 4 Heroic Warriors and Lazy Kings, 1759 - 1827 First printing 1981, second printing 1993 translated by Fareesha Abdulla and Michael O'Shea with assistance from Majid Abdul-Wahhab updated 15 February 2006 Preface | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 King Ghazi Hassan Izudeen 1759-1767 The new king's name was King Ghazi Hassan Izudeen. He moved into Veyodhoshu palace and directed a swift rebuilding of the inner palace. (Translators' note: The name Ghazi means 'mighty holy warrior'.) People from the wards removed the overgrown milkweed and bricks from the burnt out walls and houses, levelled the ground and built new houses.
When reconstruction was completed, they moved to the inner palace in 1760 (date given in words) or 1762 (date given in numerals). Hassan had become king on 6 December 1759 (15 Rabeeul-Akhir 1173AH) Ghazi Hassan Izudeen was an intelligent and very fair person, who fulfilled the demands of the kingship with great finesse. He treated the children of king Ibrahim properly, and Aminath Rani Kilegefan received great respect too. Due to his fairness and planning skills, the people fully supported him. Earthquake 1759 On the ninth day after he became king, 14 December 1759, an earthquake shook Male'. Other islands also shook. On Sunday 23 December 1759, a huge fire broke out in Henveiru and king Dhanna Mohamed's mosque, king Ibrahim's mosque and many shops were burnt. Aminath Kabafan's palace was to the north of this latter mosque. The king assigned various positions to people, and there were some changes. The king's brother Hussein Manikfan was made the supreme defence minister. The king's paternal brother, Ali Manikfan, was made the Ranabandeyri Kilege. Qazi Mohamed Muhibudeen retained his position as chief judge. He was the son of Hussein Afeefudeen the paternal brother of Hassan Tajudeen. Ali Hakura Takurufan the son of Fasmandhoo Hassan Hakura Takurufan became a commander. The public works portfolio was given to Ali Mafaiy Takurufan the son of Hussein Velana Takurufan. Muraidhoo Hussein Dahara Takurufan became foreign minister. The new health minister was Mohamed Kaleygefan the son of Negro Yagooth Doshimeyna Kaleygefan, the slave freed by the Dhevadhoo king. Umar Gadha Hamaadhi Kaleygefan was given the position of government secretary. At the time of the trouble with the Malabars, he was one of those who had escaped and found refuge in various places. Many people like him returned during this king's reign. Maa-eboodhoo Hassan Dahmadi Kaleygefan was given the position of armed forces commander. Umar Manik, who had helped the new king take over the throne, became chief treasurer. He was officially named Umar Saifudeen Handeygirin Takurufan. Hassan Kudabandeyri Kaleygefan had been the javelin instructor but he was discharged from that position. Hussein Gadhahamaadhi Manikfan, the son of Mohamed Gadhahamaadha Manikfan and grandson of Nolhivaranfaru Hussein Bodubandeyri Kaleygefan, was also dismissed. Maldivians experienced a lot of improvements as a result of these new arrangements. Ali Raja attacks Male' 1761 In early 1761, Cannanore Ali Raja ordered a sailship, two warships and five odi loaded with weapons and prepared for battle. They arrived at Thiladhunmathi (Haa Alifu) atoll. Ali Raja had installed a Turk called Hassan, son of Mohamed Garuthali, as commander and leading a force of sixty Turks and two hundred Malabaris. They moored outside Vihamanaafushi (now Kurumba resort) on 3 April 1761. Next day they were just outside Dhoonidhoo and the vessels moored there while men landed at Funadhoo and Hulhule' islands. The men on Funadhoo built sand walls and prepared for war. As the sun rose on Thursday 7 April 1761, they began to fire guns at Male'. Holy God spared the island's people from their bombardment and only one person was hit - a woman. She died. When the Malabars arrived, there was a trading ship from Bengal in the harbour. The navigator was from Balasor in the Bay of Bengal, and his name was Miya Khan the Mughuli. The Malabars captured his ship, and he was arrested and taken away. People from Male' sneaked into Hulhule' where the enemy had landed and put poison in the drinking-water well. All who drank the water became sick and left the island. On Saturday 11 April, the Maldivians loaded their guns onto the Roanujehi Kafu odi and it sailed around Funadhoo island, firing at the enemy. With their situation intolerable, the Ali Raja's men abandoned the island on Monday 13 April 1761. They retreated to Dhonakulhi island on northern Thilandhunmathi atoll and stayed there. Male' people prepared their odi fleet, loaded their weapons of war and quickly embarked. The king appointed Hussein Shah Bandhar Velana Takurufan and Mulee Ali Famuladheyri Takurufan as commanders. The Maldivians sailed towards Hanimaadhoo on southern Thiladhunmathi atoll where ten Turks had been harassing and attacking the islanders. The Malabars sailed off in their ships when they saw the Male' vessels approaching, leaving the Turks to be arrested on Hanimaadhoo. All the Malabar odi and other sailing ships had been chased away, so the Maldivians returned to Male' in August 1761. They were received with great honour and the king himself went to greet them at the beach. The Malabaris went back to their country and killed Miya Khan who was in the ship they captured, and Ahmed Takurufan as well.
In early 1763, during the third year of the reign of king Sultan Ghazi Hassan Izudeen Siri Kularanmeeba Dhanaalaveera, king Ibrahim's son Mohamed Giyasudeen Manikfan escaped from the Malabars and was staying at Ganjam in the Bay of Bengal. There he met Dheenu Mohamed the navigator and returned to Maldives in his odi. They arrived in Maldives at Mulaku atoll and from the island of Dhiggaru, Mohamed Manikfan travelled north in a fishing odi and anchored outside Funadhoo. When he landed in Male', he had an audience with the king. After listening to his story, the king ordered the beating of the drums for the militia. They assembled with the aristocracy and heard the news. Not everyone approved of allowing king Ibrahim's son into Male' island, but the king went straight to the beach with the military and greeted Mohamed Giyasudeen Manikfan with the full protocol required for a king returning to Male'. Another parasol was raised, suggesting there were now two kings in the procession, and Mohamed Giyasudeen was led to the inner palace. Dheenu Mohamed Nevikaleyge was king Ibrahim's slave. Because of the great service done by this navigator and the captain of the ship, they were rewarded with admission to the majlis. The prince was looked after in the inner palace as if he was the son of king Ghazi Hassan. All these events occurred on Wednesday 16 February 1763. Afterwards, the North royal house and the South royal house were built in the palace grounds. Through God's mercy, the palace construction continued. Royal houses were built, and the burnt and damaged walls were repaired. New walls and bathing tanks were installed. People were sent to the atolls to make a census of the poverty-stricken people of Maldives. The census documents were given to the islands, and conditions improved for many of the poor. In the sixth year of the king's reign, his brother Hussein Bodu Doshimeyna Kilegefan passed away. He was survived by his son Mohamed whose mother was Aminath Manikfan. On the night of Sunday 1 February 1767, after the hour-glass had been turned for the fifth time, king Sultan Ghazi Hassan Izudeen went to his final rest. He had reigned for 7 years, four months and sixteen days. When he died, he had a number of sons. The name of the eldest was Mohamed, aged 14. The next was called Ibrahim, eight years old. The youngest was Ali, aged 4. The mother of these boys was Aminath Kabafan the daughter of Fenfushi Kaka Takurufan. King Mohamed Giyasudeen Iskander 1767 In accordance with the will of king Ghazi Hassan, Mohamed Giyasudeen, king Ibrahim's son who had been prisoner of the Malabars, was made king. His royal name was King Mohamed Giyasudeen Iskander. He treated king Ghazi Hassan's children in the same proper way he had been treated by the deceased king. But after a short while, it was rumoured the new king was to be killed and the deceased king's son Mohamed was to take his place. The people involved were rumoured to be the dead king's relatives, Ali Ranabandeyri Kilegefan, Vazir Ibrahim Famuladeyri Takurufan and his brother Mohamed Mureed Takurufan and his brother Hussein Kaka Takurufan. Also mentioned were Ali Hakura Takurufan and Umar Handeygirin Takurufan. King Giyasudeen ordered exile for all the rumoured plotters. Chief treasurer Umar Saifudeen Handeygirin Takurufan was sent to Kadoodhoo island in Kolhumadulu (Thaa) atoll. The three sons of king Ghazi Hassan and their mother, who had all been staying in Kudakibaa palace, were transferred to Veyoge house. Dhiffushi Ibrahim was made chief treasurer. Then the dead king Ghazi Hassan's wife and her three sons were exiled to Addu (Seenu) atoll. Ghazi Hassan's paternal brother Ali Ranabandeyri Kilegefan was exiled to Maalhos island in Ari (Alifu) atoll. Huraa Ibrahim Famuladeyri Takurufan was exiled to Maamakunudhoo atoll. Hurai Mureed Mohamed Takurufan was exiled to Veymandu on Thaa atoll. Hurai Hussein Kaka Takurufan was exiled to Huvadhu atoll. Hussein Gadahamaidi Manikfan became health minister. A big odi was sent with orders that Hussein Kaka Takurufan and Mohamed Mureed Takurufan were to be tortured and killed. When Hussein Kaka Takurufan heard about this, he got on board a loaded odi, overpowered the two guards and sailed to Veymandu island where he picked up Mohamed Mureed Takurufan and sailed away again. They stopped at Maamakunudhoo and took aboard their elder brother Ibrahim Famuladeyri Takurufan. As they left Maldives, they wrote, 'We are not fleeing the country to betray the king. We dare not stay here for fear of death.' This was in a letter they composed and sent to the king. After they had left Kolhumadulu (Thaa) atoll on their journey north to Maamakunudhoo, news of the escape reached Male'. Quickly, two odi were prepared, loaded with weapons and sent to find them. The odi sailed all over the country but they returned to Male' without success. The fleeing men went to Si Lanka and then on to Chandernagore (a French settlement 30 km above Calcutta). They met and talked to Monsieur Le Termellier and asked for protection from the governor, who consented. Ibrahim Famuladeyri Takurufan and Mohamed Mureed Takurufan died there. King Giyasudeen sent a small number of gifts and a letter to the governor of Sri Lanka and asked him to arrest the men and return them to Maldives. The governor ignored this request. The king sent a group of military personnel to Maalhos island and put Ali Ranabandeyri in chains for a month. Some time later, slanderous words were found written on a piece of paper in a Male' street. Umar Mafaiy Kileygefaan and his sons were accused, and Hussein Fadiaiy Takurufan, the eldest son of Umar Mafahaiy Takurufan was flogged and exiled to Veymandu island. Umar Mafahaiy Takurufan and his remaining children were exiled to Gan. Umar died there. Mohamed Takurufan, the son of Bodu Galu Mafahaiy Takurufan became the government secretary. Ibrahim Baha-udeen passed away in the second year of the king's reign. He was married to a daughter of king Ibrahim, and died in his maternal grandmother's island of Kuredhivaru on Noonu atoll around September 1768. After the judge died, the position was given to Mohamed Muhibudeen Fandiyaru Takurufan who had been dismissed previously by king Ghazi Hassan Izudeen. Ali Raja attacks Male' 1769 In the second year of the king's reign, the Cannanore Ali Raja prepared six sailing ships and nine odi for battle, and they arrived on 5 April 1769 and anchored between Dhoonidhoo and Vihamanaafushi islands above Male'. Again, men were landed on Hulhule' and Funadhoo islands. Guns were positioned on Funadhoo and firing began. Male' responded with its own guns. From the island's new fort, a cannon hit and killed one of the enemy and he was buried on Hulhule'. The grave is still there. In that battle, the Malabaris fired 597 shots at Male', but only two women were hit. One of these women was carrying a baby who also died. 245 shots were fired from Male' at the Malabars. Almighty God protected the Maldivians. Apart from the death previously mentioned, it is not known if any more of the enemy died. After the battle, the Malabars sailed back to Cannanore. In the fifth year of the king's reign, it was rumoured that a group of supporters of Mohamed Manikfan, the son of Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan who was the brother of dead king Ghazi Hassan Izudeen, were planning to install this prince in the palace and capture the throne. They had agreed to set fire to a house near the palace and when the king came out, to use that moment to get inside the royal grounds. A gun-powder house close to the palace was set on fire. Seeing the flames, the king prepared to go to the blaze. At that moment a person from among the plotters spoke to the king. 'Your Highness, this is my good advice. Do not go out there.' The king heeded his words and did not emerge, and the fire was extinguished by others. The group's plan to seize the throne now became common knowledge throughout the island. The king ordered the plotters to be found, beaten and exiled. They were hunted down, flogged, and sent to different islands. Mohamed Manikfan the son of Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan, and Ahmed Kilegefan the son of Guraidhoo Mohamed Manikfan, were not flogged. Ahmed Manikfan was sent to Madifushi island. Mohamed Manikfan the son of Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan was sent to Kalhaidhoo island on Laamu atoll. On his way to exile in the odi, Mohamed fought with his guard and tied him up. He tried to leave Maldives in the odi but found he couldn't manage it, so he made peace with the guard and untied him and the odi sailed on to Kalhaidhoo. The guard returned to Male' and told the story of what happened. Three strong men from the militia were despatched to Kalhaidhoo island where they viciously beat Mohamed Manikfan. About a year later, Mohamed was brought back to Male' and during the lifetime of his uncle he was allowed to stay in the palace. The king would not have allowed this to happen without satisfactory assurances. In the sixth year of the king's reign, all the buildings and houses except one were burnt in Himithi island on Faafu atoll. King Giyasudeen leaves for haj 1773 After seven years of power, the king prepared himself for travel to the haj. Aminath Kabafan the daughter of king Ibrahim, and her husband Ali Velana Manikfan the son of Mohamed Doshimeyna Takurufan and grandson of the martyr Addu Mohamed Kudabandeyri Takurufan, were left to administer the affairs of the crown. The caravel belonging to Mohamed the son of Muscat Kalifan was hired, and on Friday 17 December 1773 they left for the haj. The king took along his wife and two ministers. One was Ali Hakura Manikfan, the son of Hussein Velana Takurufan and grandson of Fasmandhoo Hassan Hakura Manikfan. Ali Hakura had been dismissed as a minister by king Ghazi Hassan. The other minister was Ali Doshimeyna Manikfan the son of Hassan Hakura Manikfan and grandson of Fasmandhoo Hassan Hakura Takurufan. These two ministers were the sons of the two uncles of king Giyasudeen's mother. The king left for haj after reigning 7 years and thirty-five days. On the fourth day after he left - on the Monday night - the faction around Ali Velana Manikfan went into the palace and sat him on the royal throne and cunningly made him king. Mohamed Manikfan rallies support in Male' and defeats Velana Manikfan, 1773 When he discovered this, Mohamed Manikfan the son of Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan who was the brother of king Ghazi Hassan, went to the watch-tower of the Big Fort with some supporters and readied the guns. At the time, Velana Manikfan and his supporters were in the palace. When he heard what Mohamed was doing, Velana Manikfan sent a group of people to the top of the New Fort and prepared many guns there for battle. The judge, Mohamed Muhibudeen, found out what was happening and went to each of the forts and prohibited any gunfire. The people in the Big Fort shouted, 'Ali Velana Manikfan has taken over the kingship for himself. Anyone who supports the king who has gone abroad, come to this fort.' When a crowd of people gathered, Mohamed Manikfan addressed them: 'Acting against the instructions of king Giyasudeen, the couple supporting Ali Velana Manikfan have let him take over the throne. This would not have happened during the time when my noble brother rescued us, after the Malabars captured this country and it was broken, disintegrating and sinking. The monarchy of Maldives could not be given to anyone else - it belonged rightfully to the king himself. Ghazi Hassan was prepared to fight and sacrifice his life in support of the monarchy. Wouldn't you follow a man like that?' When they heard this question, the men answered: 'Yes! All of us, even the slaves, as long as we live we will never turn our backs on such a person. We all share your fate and will even give our lives for you.' Hearing this, Mohamed Manikfan swore allegiance with these supporters against Velana Manikfan. He ordered them to remove the rebel couple from the palace and exile them from Male'. They were sent to Hulhiyandhoo island on Laamu atoll and died there. The six surviving children of king Ibrahim were Aminath Kabafan, Fathmath Ranikilegefan, Mariyam Kabafan, king Giyasudeen, Sanfa Randi Kabafan and Aishath Kabafan. Ali Velana Manikfan's older brother, Hassan Famuladeyri Manikfan was put aboard an odi for exile in Madifushi island on Kolhumadulu (Thaa) atoll. At the same time, Ahmed Manikfan the son of Guraidhoo Mohamed Manikfan, who had been exiled previously to Madifushi island, was to be brought back to Male'. Later, Hassan Famuladeyri Manikfan was sent from Madifushi to Huvadhu atoll where he died. King Mohamed Shamsudeen Iskandar 1773-1774 After these people had been exiled, Mohamed Manikfan the son of Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan who was the brother of king Ghazi Hassan, went with his followers into the inner palace. He was placed on the throne and named King Mohamed Shamsudeen Iskandar. After the coronation, king Giyasudeen's residential palace to the south of the court was dismantled. Everything was removed. King Ibrahim's land holdings and waqf entitlements were also confiscated. Everything was taken from the children of king Ibrahim except the Dhiyamigili palace of their grandfather, king Mohamed Imadudeen.
Mohamed the son of Kihaadhoo Ibrahim, was given the position of foreign minister. Umar Saifudeen Bodubandeyri Handeygirin Takurufan, who had been sent to Kadoodhoo on Thaa atoll by king Giyasudeen, was brought back and given the position of chief treasurer. Ali Kaleygefan the son of Mohamed Famuladeyri Kaleygefan and grandson of Yagooth Doshimeyna Kaleygefan, was made health minister. Education banned 1774 The belongings and books of the children of Kuradhi Palace Fandiyaru Manikfan, and all the things belonging to their mother Mariyam Kabafan the daughter of king Ibrahim, were confiscated and they were exiled to Dhiyamigili island on Thaa atoll. These people were also banned from reading or any form of education. Ibrahim Manikfan, the son of Kateeb Ahmed Muhiyudeen and grandson of Hassan Tajudeen, was robbed of all his property and his mother Fatmath Ranikilegefan was robbed of everything she had too. Ibrahim Manikfan was sent to Dharaboodhoo island on Faafu atoll. For the first time in Maldives, this king ordered houses smashed and books taken from the hands of their owners. All were banned from learning, except those the king liked. The person who had been chief treasurer, Dhiffushi Bodu Bandeyri Handeygirin Takurufan, was sent to his island. After about a year, when Umar Saifudeen Handeygirin Takurufan passed away, Dhiffushi Ibrahim Handeygirin Takurufan was brought back and given both the chief treasurer and handeygirin positions. When Dhiffushi Ibrahim passed away, Rasgetheemu Hassan Takuru became chief treasurer. He had helped the king take over the throne. Many people were involved in this plot, including king Giyasudeen's time keepers, who were also stripped of their property and exiled to the islands. Meanwhile, those exiled by the former king were brought back from various islands and given positions. The son of king Ghazi Hassan, king Mohamed Shamsudeen's uncle, was recalled along with the king's uncle Ali Ranabandeyri Kilegefan. King Mohamed Muizudeen Iskander 1774-1778 Then Mohamed, the son of king Ghazi Hassan was given the throne and named king Mohamed Muizudeen Iskander. King Mohamed Shamsudeen abdicated, telling himself he was now only Mohamed Fashana Kilegefan and controlling his ambitions. Murder of king Giyasudeen 1774 After some time, king Giyasudeen returned from haj and entered Maldives through Thiladhunmathi atoll. He heard what had happened in his absence and left Thiladhunmathi. The ship missed the best entry point and eventually sailed into Male' atoll near Guraidhoo Viligilivaru on the southeastern side of south Male' atoll. He anchored there, and the captain Kurendhoo Mohamed Kaleygefan and the chief mate Kudabandeyri Takurufan were given a letter for the king in Male'. Kudabandeyri's mother was Javanese, and he was also the father of Thoddoo Handeygirin Takurufan. These two men went to Male', requesting peace and a willingness to accept the verdict of holy God from the reigning king and Fashana Kilegefan. When the letter was read aloud, the king and Fashana did not like its contents and they sent soldiers to the ship in the Male' harbour. The Muscat people and Maldivians on board were brought into the island. Of the people who had made the haj journey, two ministers had died in Arabia and many others were also dead. Two wives of the king had contracted fatal smallpox. One was Aminath Kabafan the daughter of Sikka Manik, and the other was Mariyam Kabafan the daughter of Kudabandeyri Takurufan. Ibrahim, the eldest son of the king. The crewmen of king Giyasudeen's ship were freed, and three of them who knew the king well were sent back to his ship. They went to king Giyasudeen and he accompanied them in their dhoani as it sailed out to sea where no one could see them. Then they tied weights onto king Giyasudeen and threw him into the sea. He drowned. May Almighty God bless him. This happened at the beginning of the month of Shaubaan. The men returned and told the people that the nobleman was now in Ranjehi palace. Later their lies were exposed. The people were shocked and when they began to talk about what had happened, they heard that Mohamed Fashana Kilegefan had asked the judge what to do with king Giyasudeen, and the judge had said to kill him. Afterwards, the judge swore he knew nothing about the matter. Almighty God knows how things happened. The son of the martyred king was exiled to Fua Mulaku even though he was only a small child. He was held there until the reign of king Hassan Nooradeen, when he was brought back and made health minister. Hussein Kaka Takurufan and king Muizudeen attempt to capture the Ali Rajah's ship, 1778 After this, Hussein Kaka Takurufan, who had earlier gone to Chandernagore in India, received help from Ali Raja and arrived in a sailing ship off Male' and anchored outside the range of the guns. He landed in Male' and met the king, who was thinking about ways to capture Hussein's ship. The king sent a message to the Ali Raja's men on the ship: 'Pull up anchor and move your ship nearer the Big Fort.' But they replied, 'Unless Kaka Takurufan is on board, we will not take the ship there.' Then Kaka Takurufan sent a message to them and half the officers on board came to Male'. They were treated respectfully, kindly and with sincerity, and taken to a hall where tables and food were arranged to feed them. As they started eating, another group of men came into the hall and tied them up by their hands and feet. They were separated, put on odi and sent to different islands. Their leader was sent to Bileiydhoo island on Faafu atoll and later sent to Huvadhu atoll. He met two people from Minicoy who were living there and they talked together and became friends. In secret, they discussed a plan to go to India. One night they went into the island mosque and stole a sword. They found a man sleeping on a boat and hit him with the sword, cutting him open. Then they stole the vessel and sailed to India. Returning to the officers tied up at the dining tables... The Male' guns were primed and fired towards the ship. The men on board knew that serious trouble had occurred. They slipped away and sailed to Thiladhunmathi atoll, burning property and kidnapping 450 people before returning to Cannanore. Some of these hostages returned after the Ali Raja's death, coming first to Male' and then on to their islands. Hussein Kaka Takurufan, the one who had been to Chandernagore, was made defence minister. He married Aishath Manikfan, the widow of the assassinated king. During this year, an assortment of goods were salvaged from a French ship wrecked in Himithi island on Faafu atoll. The people from the ship were brought to Male' and sent off to India. In the same year, a small ship came to Dhiffushi island. Hedhu Ismail Dandahelu Takurufan was sent to the ship and received goods worth 210 rupees. This was in the year 1778. Mohamed Fashana Kilegefan died in the same year as King Muizudeen who died on 24 September 1778. The reign of these two men had lasted about five years. King Hassan Noorudeen 1778-1799 Ali, the son of king Ghazi Hassan Izudeen, became the new king. His royal name was King Hassan Noorudeen. After he came to the throne, his brother Ibrahim died. Some time later, the chief treasurer Rasgetheemu Hassan was removed from office and robbed of everything. He was exiled to Boli Mulah island on Meemu atoll. Ahmed Manikfan the son of Guraidhoo Mohamed Manikfan became the new chief treasurer. Then Hussein Doshimeyna Takurufan was robbed of everything and exiled to Meedhoo island. The new defence minister was Moosa Hakura Takurufan, the son of Kalhaidhoo Hassan Naib Takurufan. Five days later, he too was robbed of everything and sent to Fonadhoo island on Hadunmathi (Laamu) atoll. After two years he received permission to go to his father's island of Kalhaidhoo. Now the defence minister was Ahmed Bandeyri Takurufan, the son of Addu Mohamed.
On Wednesday 10 August 1785, the royal judge Qazi Mohamed Muhibudeen passed away. Ibrahim Manikfan was brought back to Male' and made the new judge. He was the son of Kateeb Ahmed Muhiyudeen and had been exiled to Gan island. The aristocrats and ministers did not agree with this, and the judge position was then given to Moosa Naib Takurufan the son of Landhoo Ali. Moosa was a student of Mohamed Mauhibudeen Fandiyaru Takurufan. When the Fandiyaru Takurufan died, Naib Takurufan was married to his daughter. He now became known as Moosa Najmudeen. Inheritance law judgment 1785 When Mohamed Muhibudeen Fandiyaru Takurufan died, judge Moosa Najmudeen Fandiyaru Takurufan administered the estate. He gave nothing to the family members with rightful inheritance claims over the properties, such as the sons of Ibrahim Baha-udeen, the grandsons of Mohamed Shamsudeen Fandiyaru Kaleygefan and great-grandsons of Hassan Tajudeen Fandiyaru Kaleygefan. The judge gave the inheritance to others. After this incident, others also ignored inheritance claims and gave their property away as they saw fit or donated their property to mosques as waqf. Later, Hakura Takurufan, the son of Dhandahelu Bandeyri Takurufan, was made the chief treasurer. Moosa Najmudeen Fandiyaru Kaleyfaan remained as judge. He held office until a trial involving two people went to court and the verdict gave the property to the plaintiff. The defendant complained to the aristocrats and the judge was removed and exiled to Landhoo island. Ibrahim, the 37 year old son of Ahmed Muhiyudeen Kateeb Manikfan, became the new judge on Thursday 26 July 1787. He was selected because of his youth and lack of experience, and was given the name Qazi Ibrahim Sirajudeen. King Noorudeen leaves for haj, 1789 The king decided to go to haj and made preparations for the journey. His official duties and the care of his child were put in the hands of Ahmed Doshimeyna Takurufan, and a sailing ship and caravel were prepared for travel. It was decided that Hussein Doshimeyna Kilegefan and Ibrahim Sirajudeen would accompany the king. Mohamed Kateeb Bodu Naib Takurufan was put in charge of trials and other court matters and on Saturday 27 December 1788, the king left Male'. He went to Rasdhoo island and stayed there for six days, and then sailed to the town of Mocha in Yemen. While they were there, an odi belonging to Maa-eboodhoo Gadha Hamadi Kaleygefan also sailed to Arabia with pilgrims. The ruler of Mocha was a man named Mohamed Surooru, and the chief judge was Qazi Ismail. These two gentlemen visited the king's ship and wanted the king to visit their town. They were told that the king had sworn an oath not to visit anywhere else in Arabia before seeing Mecca. Aafter the men left, the ship embarked for the port of Hudayda. In this port, the king hired a man called Suleiman and then sailed to the port of Jidda, where there was a Maldive trade representative called Sarhan. Sarhan informed Shareef Galib the chief of Mecca about the arrival of the Maldivians, and rented a house in Mecca for them. Shareef Galib was the son of Shareef Musa-id and the grandson of Shareef Masood. After Mecca, the Maldivians visited Medina and stayed there for five days before returning to Jidda. The king sent a letter to Shareef Galib saying that his Maldivian ministers been asking him whether they needed to wait for the haj season. 'Please do as you wish,' Shareef Galib replied. The Maldivians tried to get written permission to embark but could not obtain it in Jidda. On 31 May 1789, they boarded the ship and departed without a permit, just as the Shareef of Mecca arrived in Jidda. The Maldivian king would not get off the ship to meet him and the king's vessel and the caravel left Jidda for the port of Mocha. Meanwhile, the Maldivians in Maa-eboodhoo Gadahamadi Kaleygefan's odi decided to stay at Jidda until the haj season. The king's two vessels sailed to Mocha and then on to Maldives. The caravel captained by Vilufushi Ahmed now carried the king, and it entered the country through Maalhosmadulu atoll on 26 August. The king arrived back in Male' on 5 September 1789. The other ship ended up in Galle, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). After king returned, some people were sent into exile. Among them was Mohamed Dahara Takurufan, who was in king Giyasudeen's entourage and had been made government secretary. Other men and women were also exiled to the islands. They were people who had conspired to put king Giyasudeen's son on the throne. He had been exiled to Fua Mulaku. Meedhoo Kateeb Takurufan was made a commander of the militia. He was named Ibrahim Dhahara Takurufan and was also made chief of Mafannu ward in Male'. Moosa Najmudeen Fandiyaru Kaleygefan, who had been exiled to Landhoo island, was brought back to Male' and treated well, but he was not made the judge again.
Judge Ibrahim Sirajudeen tortured and exiled 1792 Things went smoothly for some time and then a person who had accompanied the king to Arabia, Ibrahim Sirajudeen Fandiyaru Manikfan, was rumoured to be conspiring with others to capture the throne. The king believed it and Ibrahim Sirajudeen was beaten and tortured and exiled to Kadu Hulhudhoo in Huvadhu atoll. His mother Fathmath Rani Kilegefan was sent away with him. The brutal beating left Ibrahim with 470 cuts on his body. These included bleeding injuries and cuts to the muscle, and to the tissue between muscles and bones, and other cuts deep to the bone. Also exiled with this mother and son, was Ahmed Manikfan the son of Mecca Seedi, grandson of Kuda Fandiyaru Kaleygefan and great-grandson of Hassan Tajudeen. Ahmed's two sons were also exiled, along with others. Moosa Najmudeen was made the judge on 28 June 1792, and the people of Huvadhu were ordered not to give any gifts to the exiled judge, Ibrahim Sirajudeen. They were forbidden to give him even a betel leaf, and he was not allowed a house or any other assistance. The people were told not to ask him for any religious instruction, nor even learn a maulood from him. The legal secretary position was taken away from Ismail Naib Takurufan, and given to Ali the son of Maradhoo Ibrahim. Then the children of Ibrahim Baha-udeen Fandiyaru Manikfan, and their mother Mariyam Kabafan were sent away to Dhiyamigili island on Thaa atoll. These children were the grandsons of Mohamed Shamsudeen Fandiyaru Kaleygefan, and great-grandsons of Hassan Tajudeen. After nine months, Fathmath Rani Kilegefan (who was mentioned before) and her son, the Fandiyaru Manikfan, were allowed to go to Gan island in Hadunmathi (Laam) atoll. While staying there, Fathmath Rani Kilegefan died. She was buried on the eastern side of the Gan Friday mosque. The exiled judge's grandfather had come from that island. Later Mariyam Kabafan died in Dhiyamigili. In Male', a huge ship was built at Henveiru ward. Then the chief judge Moosa Najmudeen died on Thursday night 15 January 1795. Ismail Naib Takurufan the son of Bandara Naib Thulhaadhoo Ibrahim was made legal secretary, and Mohamed the son of Salim was made chief treasurer. Prior to that, he had been legal secretary. Bodubandeyri Mohamed Handeygirin Takurufan and Mohamed Bodu Naib Takurufan, the son of Salim, were both put in charge of courts and verdicts. Some time later, Muguree Moosa Kateeb was dismissed from his kateeb post. To hide his humiliation, the ex-kateeb distributed his own weight in sweet sticky rice at Medhu Ziyaraiy (the central tomb) in Male'. Ali Naib Takurufan the son of Maradhoo Ibrahim retained his legal secretary position. The ship at Henveiru was completed and made ready to sail. It brought Ibrahim Sirajudeen Fandiyaru Manikfan and his relatives back from exile, along with others including Moosa Doshimeyna Takurufan the son of Kalhaidhoo Naib Hassan Takurufan. Their houses were returned to them. Surat treasure ship wrecked on Huvadhu atoll Later, a ship belonging to men from Surat was travelling to its destination when they met Frenchmen from Mauritius (Moorisee) on the high seas and were captured by them. With the French were in control, the vessel was wrecked on Huvadhu atoll. There were a few people from Surat in the ship and it was heavily laden with huge amounts of gold, silver coins and jewellery. After Maldivians realised the immense value of the ship's cargo, it was confiscated from the Frenchmen. The treasure was considered the rightful property of the people of Maldives. They even distributed some of it to foreigners, including the Surat people who were then sent to India. All the things from the wrecked ship were brought to Male' and put aboard the ship that the king was building. Another ship was captured, and preparations were made for these two ships to take people to the haj. King Mohamed Mueenudeen appointed by King Hassan Noorudeen as he leaves for haj 1799 The king's son Mohamed was put in charge of royal affairs and given the name of Sultan Mohamed Mueenudeen. The king embarked on Thursday 24 January 1799. As he was leaving, he ordered that Moosa Kateeb Takurufan, who had been dismissed as a kateeb, be made the judge. He became Qazi Moosa Muhiyudeen on 7 February 1799. Then Moosa Dahara Manikfan, the elder brother of Mohamed Fashana Kilegefan, who had been made chief treasurer, was given the title of Handeygirin title and gonged (in a koli ritual). Mohamed Takurufan, the son of Bodu Galu Ali, was made commander of the armed forces. The dispute witn Shareef Galib of Mecca The king on his way to haj passed through the Bab el Mandeb (entrance to the Red Sea from the Arabian Sea) on 19 February, and next day arrived at Hudayda. The Maldivians traded for a while, and prepared to leave for Jidda on 9 March. The people of Hudayda said it was not advisable for the Maldive king to sail there with so much wealth. 'Shareef Galib may rob you of your goods,' they warned. But the king ignored this advice and left Hudayda, sailing north. He landed at Jidda on 6 April, and on Friday 12 April he set off for Mecca. Meanwhile, Shareef Galib had taken another road to Jidda and because of this, the two men did not meet on the road. At Mecca, the Maldive king met the prime minister of the district and the keeper of the Kaba and other aaghaawathun men. They all gathered and sat down on the king's carpet and he asked them to open the Kaba. The prime minister and the Kaba's chief caretaker replied that without the Shareef Galib's permission they could not open the Kaba, and the shareef had gone to Jidda. While they were discussing the matter, the prime minister's older brother came in and sat on the carpet and said he would open the Kaba if he was given a thousand riyal. The Maldive king became furious and ordered the men beside him to take the older brother outside and beat him. 'Nothing will be given to anyone except the Kaba's chief caretaker, and the khoajaa nobleman,' he said. Tthe man was removed and beaten. Then the king said, 'Even if you open the Kaba, Shareef Galib would not care. The Kaba is the holy house of Allah and does not belong to anybody. All moslems are equal before the holy house.' The Maldive king ordered them to open it and the caretaker obeyed. The king and the people accompanying him went into the holy house. This all occurred on Sunday night 14 April 1799. A hundred riyal was given to the chief caretaker, and the other khoajaa men received the same amount. Afterwards, some Maldivians stayed with the king, and others returned to Jidda. In Jidda, Shareef Galib wrote a letter to the Maldive king and sent it to Mecca. His letter explained that due to the immense number of infidels at the port of Jidda, he would not be able to return to Mecca even for the haj season. 'There are many infidels in Jidda, and for this reason I request that your highness give us five guns from your ship to put on the tower of Jidda. After the haj, we will return the guns.' The king looked at this letter, read it, and then said to Mohamed Handeygirin Takurufan, 'Write a letter to Ali, the ship's master, and tell him to give Shareef Galib five cannon from my ship.' When the king said this, one of his companions Hussein, the son of Gan Ibrahim, interrupted. 'All your highness' property, the whole lot, will be taken. This is how they rob you! Those guns will not be returned. When they are gone, other things will be stolen in the same way.' The king tended to agree with him and told the Meccan prime minister who brought the letter that he would not hand over the guns. 'You are trying to trick me and take all our goods,' he said. 'All the Arabs say that Shareef Galib will keep stealing their property until the sun is extinguished. In what book is it written that people's goods can be taken away? You go and tell that to Shareef Galib.' The prime minister passed on the message to the ruler of Mecca, and Shareef Galib said, 'Go and tell this to that king. 'His Highness is saying bad things about me even though I am so concerned about the immense number of infidels here, that I cannot even come to Mecca for the haj. I have requested five guns to mount on the Jidda fort because of the shortage of cannon, and because your highness is a moslem king. The two holy places of Mecca and Medina are in my care, but it seems your highness' rank is loftier than mine. After your arrival here, it seems this country has become yours. Nothing will happen in any way contrary to your wishes. Since this is the situation, it is inappropriate for you to say unpleasant things to me. If I wanted to rob someone, I would rob my own people. All kings take things from their own people. If I spoke like you, then I would be superior to your highness.' It was reported that Shareef Galib went aboard the king's ship and checked what was there. Then he went away and sent armed soldiers back to the ship. Shareef Galib's men grabbed Khazin Ali, and told him to reveal all the hiding places on the ship but he refused. He was taken into a room and a sharp sword placed against his neck. Thinking he would be beheaded, he screamed continuously and revealed all the hiding places where the king had stored precious stones and silver ornaments. Taking everything including the five guns, Shareef Galib's men did not leave a single rupee behind. They also took three men - Khazin Ali, Mohamed Meer Bahuru, and the ship's navigator. Both Khazin Ali and Meeru Bahuru were kept in jail for three days and then released. Some time later, Shareef Galib sent his prime minister to king Hassan Noorudeen. 'The Arabs in Mecca and Jidda are saying a Surat ship called Saihu Alam was wrecked in Maldives. In that ship were 400,000 of our riyal,' said the Meccan prime minister. 'All the treasure was under your control. Therefore all the goods you brought are ours, and you should pay again for what you have bought.' 'Everything has been taken away by you,' replied the king. 'There is nothing left.' 'That cannot be so,' said the prime minister. 'You have more here. Do you think you can talk your way out of this? In the same way we took the goods from the ship, we can take goods from you. What can you do about it?' The king became angry and said, 'Are you suggesting I'm lying? Whatever I still have, I would not hand it over as long as I have a sword in my hand. You people can come back today and fight, now get out of here!' The minister would not leave, so the king ordered his men to drag him outside. The minister was removed and he went away. The king and Maldivians performed the haj and visited Medina. Then they prepared to travel from Mecca to Jidda but after some had gone, Shareef Galib ordered that the king be prevented from travelling. The people who had already left were forced to return to Mecca with their camels. King Hassan Noorudeen dies at Jidda 1799 Later, the king was taken ill with small-pox and after a payment of 10,000 riyal, permission was given to leave and he went quickly to Jidda, hoping to embark. The king got into the ship's small boat and was heading to the vessel, when he was stopped by Jidda officials due to his illness. The Maldive king died on Saturday night, 1 June 1799. Shareef Galib seized the king's two ships and everything they contained, including all the belongings of other people travelling with the Maldivians, and all the books that had been brought from Maldives. Then Bodubandeyri Mohamed Handeygirin Takurufan died, along with many of the other pilgrims. Among the dead were the king's mother Aminath Manikfan, Mohamed Maabandeyri Takurufan, and the navigator Hussein Kaleyfaan. Shareef Galib gave the Maldivians a dhow, which he had also stolen along with other things from somebody else. The Maldivians sailed off in this vessel and went to a port called Qunfudhah in Arabia southeast of Jidda. Ali, the king's son, died there. The king's daughter and Khazin Ali died in Kamaran, a Yemeni island north of Hudaydah. When the Maldivians reached Hudaydah, they abandoned the dhow. A person in Hudaydah, called Haizar, took them in another dhow to Sayhuth, a port in eastern Yemen, where the dhow was wrecked. From that area, they travelled in the same kind of dhow to Muscat. A person in another dhow took them from Sahura Mukalla, a port in Yemen, and they arrived back in Male' on 13 December 1799. Of the three hundred people who left, only seventy returned. Those who survived included the king's son Abdul Majeed, the king's daughter Fathmath, Mohamed Manik the son of Ahmed Doshimeyna Takurufan, and Shirazi Mohamed Fadiyaiy Takurufan. Two hundred and thirty men and women died during that journey. During the reign of King Hassan Noorudeen the following Maldive islands were abandoned: From Huvadhu atoll - Kaashi Hulhudhoo, Feydhoo, and Futte-u islands. Nilandhe atoll - Velavaru island. Male' atoll - Baros island. Maalhosmadulu atoll - Finolhos island. Thiladhunmathi atoll - Vagaaru island. That king also erected a hall for Friday prayer in Giraavaru island. When news of the king's death reached Male', disputes increased and there were fights between some individuals. The chief treasurer, Moosa Handeygirin Manikfan was exiled to Hangghaameedhoo island on Alifu atoll. Ahmed Kudabandeyri Manikfan was exiled to Fonadhoo island in Hadunmathi atoll. Moosa Doshimeyna Takurufan was dimissed as minister and exiled to Kalhaidhoo island. He died there. Ahmed Shah Bandhar Velana Takurufan was sent to Boli Mulah island on Mulaku (Meemu) atoll. The chief treasurer position was given to Moosa Hakura Takurufan, the maternal brother of the mother of king Mohamed Mueenudeen. He was named Moosa Handeygirin Takurufan. Then Ahmed Doshimeyna Takurufan died and the defence minister position went to his son Mohamed Manik, now called Mohamed Doshimeyna Takurufan. About two years later, Haji Moosa Handeygirin Takurufan was dismissed and Haji Mohamed Fadivaiy Takurufan became the new chief treasurer. He was named Mohamed Handeygirin Takurufan. After a further two years, the previously exiled Moosa Handeygirin Manikfan was recalled and made the home minister. Some time later, Moosa Muhiyudeen Fandiyaru Manikfan passed away. Ibrahim Sirajudeen Fandiyaru Manikfan, who was exiled during the reign of Hassan Noorudeen, returned on Sunday 13 April 1806 and was given the position of judge. Moosa Handeygirin Manikfan was dismissed as home minister and made minister of public works. He was named Hakura Manikfan. The previously mentioned Haji Moosa was made home minister, and named Moosa Handeygirin Takurufan. Earthquakes 1815 At midday on Thursday 31 August 1815, a loud noise was heard in Thiladhunmathi (Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal) atoll and as far south as Feevah island in Shaviyani atoll. All the islands shook vigorously, but after a short while, the shaking subsided. Three days later, between the magrib and ishah prayer times (6 pm - 7.30 pm), an even louder noise was heard and another strong earthquake occurred. The noise lasted for about an hour. In the islands, the lamps in the houses nearly fell over and people were very frightened. They cried, screamed and shouted, and recited thasbah thahuleel. Slowly, everything calmed down. Moosa Handeygirin Takurufan passed away around December 1816. Shirazi Mohamed Takurufan was made both chief treasurer and home minister. At the time he held the government secretary post. About a year before, the rundown Eid mosque had been rebuilt. The king also built a Friday mosque in Eydhafushi island on Baa atoll. The following islands were abandoned during king Mohamed Mueenudeen's reign: Huvadhu atoll – Maavaarulaa, Migoodhoo, Dhiyanigili, Futta, and Kuramathi islands. Addu atoll – Hankede island. Haddhunmathi atoll – Fushi island. Maalhosmadulu atoll – Ugoofaaru and Kandhoo islands. Male' atoll – Viligilivaru island. During his reign, Maldivians inhabited two hundred and two islands: Male' atoll - 9 islands. Faadhippolhu atoll - 4 islands. Miladhunmadulu atoll - 31 islands. Maalhosmadulu atoll - 35 islands. Thiladhunmathi atoll - 30 islands. Felidhe atoll - 3 islands. Ari atoll - 13 islands. Mulaku atoll - 8 islands. Nilandhe atoll - 14 islands. Kolhumadulu atoll - 13 islands. Haddhunmathi atoll - 12 islands. Huvadhu atoll - 23 islands. Fua Mulah atoll (a single island). Addu atoll - 6 islands. Bottles from English shipwreck 1819 On 24 July 1819, an English ship was wrecked on Maamakunudhoo atoll. The islanders from there brought people from the ship to Male' on 4 August. They were sent to the Indian mainland. Many things were retrieved from the ship, including 15,000kg of cloves and 12,000 empty bottles. These things were distributed to the military and aristocrats. Each member of the military received four cups of cloves and one empty bottle. Each minister and the judge received 28 cups of cloves and eight bottles. On Monday 11 October 1819, a strong wind blew from the west, and in Male' many trees and plants collapsed. In the palace grounds, ten houses were blown apart. This was on the 16th day of meezaan. Afterwards, everything became scarce and expensive in the islands. There was famine, and people ate leaves and plants. At that time, prices were as follows: 16kg of rice - 16 cups of cowrie shells. 10kg of sugar - 16 cups of cowrie shells. 1 coconut - 1 laari. Until 1826, this state of affairs continued. In that year prices rose even further: 9 kg of rice - 16 cups of cowrie shells. 6 kg of sugar - 16 cups of cowrie shells. 60 coconuts - 16 cups of cowrie shells. Previously, only coconuts for funeral/wake ceremonies had been bought in this way. On Wednesday 16 August 1820, Abdul Majeed, the son of king Hassan Noorudeen, died. Cyclone 1821 On the night of Saturday 8 December 1821, an extremely strong storm hit the islands from Thiladhunmathi to Miladhunmadulu atolls. The waves were very high. More than 30 odi were lost or damaged, and many people aboard them were killed. The islands damaged in the storm were: Hirubadhoo, Migoodhoo, Maakadoodhoo, Milandhoo, Narudhoo, Ribudhoo, Kurendhoo, Nalandhoo, Madidhoo, Feydhoo, Feevah, Foakaidhoo, Neyo, Noomaraa, Maavaidhoo, Goidhoo, Kaditheemu, Kakai Ariyadhoo, Vaikaradhoo, Neykurendhoo, Kattalafushi, Nellaidhoo, Naavaidhoo, Hirinaidhoo, Muiri, Kuribi, Keylakunu, Maa Kumundhoo, Kulhuddhuffushi, Kuburudhoo, Nolhivaramu, and Hirimaradhoo. On Sunday 15 December 1822, Haji Mohamed the son of Addu Ahmed Doshimeyna Takurufan, passed away and his position was given to Moosa Hakura Manikfan, the son of Ali. Moosa's former position was given to Hussein Famuladheyri Takurufan the son of Mohamed Hakura Takurufan. These things took place on Sunday 29 December. The elder son of king Mohamed Mueenudeen went to Friday prayer for the first time on Friday 23 April 1824. To celebrate the event, the people of Henveiru ward donated 50 rupees as a gift. On Friday 21 May, the royal prince went to Lonu Ziyaaraiy Kolhu, to the tomb of the Ethiopian holyman. To mark this occasion, the people of Henveiru gifted 1600 cups of cowrie shells and 50 rupees. The Galolhu people gave 800 cups of cowries and 50 rupees. Two days later, the prince went to Maafannu ward to the tomb of king Ali, and the people of Maafannu donated 1600 cups of cowrie shells and 50 rupees. The people of Machchangolhi ward gave 800 cups of cowrie and 50 rupees. Translators' note: Beginning of a crossed out section, allegedly marked for removal by Mohamed Ameen, Maldives chief minister and first president. Then things became difficult for the judge. The problem began in the form of an odi wanting to go to Bengal. The usual gift of four rupees, for the yearly odi launching permit, went to the finance office, but the document was refused, and the four rupees were sent to the justice office. Now considered to be under the control of the justice office, the odi was sent with 600 kg of rice to settle a conflict in Maamakunudhoo atoll over fish sold to Thiladhunmathi atoll. The chief treasurer complained to the king, 'The chief judge has more rice in his house than we do. The judge is selling it too cheaply, and this year he has made a lot of profit.' The king listened and agreed with him. The two sons of the judge, who had been given the kateeb positions in Male' and Thuraakunu island, had their island taken away. For a long time they received no replacement. Prior to this, a kateeb postion meant control of two islands, and Thuraakunu was one of those islands. The judge and his two sons were compensated for the loss of the island by the caretaker there. He cut down seven logs of sea trumpet timber and sent them to Male'. The island was taken away from the kateeb around July 1825. Some time later, the two brothers were given Maafilaafushi island on Lhaviyani atoll. Translators' note: Here, the crossed off lines are themselves crossed off. This is also the end of the originally crossed off section. Then an odi was built in Male'. Galolhu and Henveiru wards were ordered to provide 5,680 cups of cowrie shells, sixty-five rupees and sixty-three pots of the size used for twelve kilos of rice. In each of these pots, four pounds of sugar was to be placed. At that time, prices were as follows: 10 kg of rice – 16 cups of cowrie shells. 6 lb of jaggery sugar – 16 cups of cowrie shells. Then the wards of Maafannu and Machchangolhi were required to supply 6000 cups of cowrie shells and twenty-four of the twelve kilo sized pots, filled with sugar. Famine in Maldives 1825 The government banned all trading by private people in the islands and set its own prices as: 3 cups of rice – 16 fish. 6 kg of rice – 16 cups of cowrie shells. This was how the government traded, while making it illegal for anyone else. There was serious starvation on the islands. If anyone sold anything cheaper, they were punished and they did not sell a second time. Many people starved to death this year (1825). The situation was so bad that people chopped down the coconut palms and ate the tops, and destroyed the islands. There was no relief from famine until 1826. Odi came from India that year. Two ships from Bombay arrived and sold one kilo of rice for five large fish, or eight or ten small fish. The rice prices for the people of Maldives were: 12 kg of light-coloured rice – 16 cups of cowrie shells. 15 kg dark rice – 16 cups of cowrie shells. 36 coconuts – 16 cups of cowrie shells. 10 kg of rice – 1 kg of coconut oil. 2 areca nuts – 1 laari. 200-300 nuts – 16 cups of cowrie shells. Three to four yards of white cloth – 16 cups of cowrie shells. Male' people protest against mass exile sentences for sexual relationship offences Later, some men in Male' became friendly with the wife of judge Ibrahim Sirajudeen. They talked and presented raivaru to her. His wife accepted the written raivaru and socialised with these people. They were allowed into her sleeping quarters. She continued this behaviour until a man was arrested. He confessed and received a sentence of 30 lashes from the cane, and exile. A minister tried to help him when he was aboard the odi. This was unacceptable. The man was still exiled, although the atoll chief received instructions to feed him. Later, another group of people were exposed in the same way. The aristocrats of the island, and the minister who had tried to intervene before, made a plea for more tolerance. 'If we exile so many people,' they said, 'it will be difficult to launch and ground the odi! And regarding the flogging of the people who have now been caught; it should be the prerogative of the husband.' So nothing was done about the behaviour and the judge lost all influence because of people's lack of support for religion. New laws regarding clothing and ornaments 1827 On Saturday 27 February 1827, the government sent six men and others to the house of the judge, where they announced: 'Every man or woman who has a king for a grandfather,' they announced, 'they may wear a sash and the fallaakaat handkerchief; the woman may wear precious stone bangles and a gold and silver embroidered head-scarf. The children may wear havaadhukulha bangles. This is now to be permitted.' Four members of the military were each given a letter and sent around the island. There was a letter for each of the four classes – the aristocracy, ministers, armed forces and commoners. Women were banned from wearing twelve kinds of silk cloth, and any mix of silk and cotton was also banned. For some people, all kinds of silk clothing were prohibited. People with pierced ears were forbidden from wearing earrings. Since washing and bathing without jewellery, especially for women, left bathers vulnerable to jinni, many people had difficulty washing, so they were given permission to wear them again. Ivory, fish tooth and deer horn were prohibited from use for weaving bobbins. Earlier, on 2 February 1827, the second son of king Mohamed Mueeundeen went to Friday prayer. The people of Henveiru ward donated 1600 cups of cowrie shells, plus 50 rupees and 2,000 laari. On 19 April, this same son went to the Lonu Ziyaaraiy Kolhu and visited the tomb of the Ethiopian holyman. In keeping with tradition, the people of Galolhu and Henveiru wards made donations. On 2 October 1827, three saintly noblemen were exiled to Huvadhu atoll. Their three slaves were exiled to Nilandhe (Faafu and Dhaalu) atoll. Here is the story of how these people came to be exiled: They had a fight with the son of a minister. When people gathered and asked what they were trying to do, they said they were trying to cut the young boy's head off! On that particular day, the fight calmed down but later they picked a fight with a negro from the military and threatened to do exactly the same thing. They also had trouble with Male's aristocracy. When the king learnt what was happening, he ordered them exiled. Harbour dredging with mass labour 1827 On Thursday 1 November 1827, the digging of the harbour began and work continued for thirty-four days. It was done by military personnel and non-Male' workers - a total of 782 people. Food and drink for the workforce was provided by people who controlled uninhabited islands and atolls. |
Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldive cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - mc_editors@hotmail.com