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The Martyrdom of Sultan Ali - The Portuguese were among the foreigners who inflicted the harshest ordeals upon the Maldives. They captured the Maldives in 1558 AD and ruled the country for 15 years and 6 months. Indirectly, Sultan Hassan IX was the cause of the Portuguese conquest of the Maldives.

On two occasions Maldivians defeated Portuguese naval expeditions to the Maldives. On both occasions the Maldivians were led by Sultan Abu Bakuru and Sultan Ali, prior to either of them ascending the throne. The third Portuguese expeditionary force attacked the Maldives shortly after Sultan Ali VI was proclaimed king. The Commander of the Portuguese expedition was Captain Manuel Da Silveira De Araujo. Shortly after the battle was joined, the troops who came out with Sultan Ali deserted him. The Maldivians trying to thwart the Portuguese onslaught were the Sultan himself and two others, one of whom was his chief minister and the other was a page. In the face of enemy musket fire, the three of them were quickly martyred. They fell on Thursday, the 1st of Shaaban 965 AH (19 May 1558).

The Portuguese capture of the Maldives was a sad and tragic episode of the Maldivian history. After the martyrdom of Sultan Ali, the Portuguese established a fortress in Malé. They dispatched officers to the atolls to suppress the country and killed many people. The Portuguese assembled leaders from all the islands and informed them that if they continued to send to the ex-Sultan Hassan IX what was due to him, the Portuguese would not carry out any hostilities against the Maldives. After the Maldivians accepted this condition, the Portuguese appointed a Maldivian to administer the affairs of the country. He was instructed by the Portuguese that no political decision or step was to be taken without prior consultation with the resident Portuguese Commandant in Malé. They also informed him that all trade in and from the Maldives must be in the hands of the Portuguese.

It is not known whether the person which Maldivian history records as Andhiri Andhirin was Captain Araujo or the Portuguese Commandant in Malé or the local governor appointed by the Portuguese from among the Maldivians. However, there is no doubt that someone whose name was similar to the name "Andhiri Andhirin", did administer the country for the Portuguese. Oral tradition says that there was a Portuguese fortress in Malé'. The evidence pointing to this is the existence of a road in Maafannu, known until the early 20th century by the name of Andhiri Andhirin Magu. Also the fact that according to tradition it is said that the fortress of Andhiri Andhirin was located not far from that road, adds to the evidence that a person by such a name held an important post in the Portuguese governance of the country at that time.

The second construction of the Friday Mosque

The Friday Mosque in Malé was reconstructed in the year 1337 AD (738 AH) by order of Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddin. According to an inscription on a wooden plaque placed in the Mosque by the Sultan's command, the Mosque was initially built by Sultan Dharumas Muhammed Ibn Abdulla (Sri Tribuvana Aditiya) and by his brother Sri Kalo. They assigned the work to Al Wazeer Shanivi Raza. As the buildings of the Mosque became run-down, the Mosque was renovated by Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddin. The task was assigned to Al Wazeer Ali Abil Fathuhul Salahi. The restoration work was complete during the month of Zul Hijja of 738 AH (1337 AD).

Formation of the islands of the Maldives

The unwritten history of the Maldives commences more than 225 million years ago. The hydrosphere and the lithosphere had already been formed. More than half the Earth comprised a great landmass which scientists today call Pangea. This great landmass was surrounded by a great ocean called Panthalassa. About 136 million years ago the Pangea split into two supercontinents. The northern chunk was called Laurasia. The southern part was called Gondwanaland. Between the two land masses was an ocean called Tethys. In turn the Gondwanaland fragmented, leading to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean, which divided the African and the American continents.

As the supercontinents disintegrated due to plate tectonics and the geological plates shifted, molten lava from the core of the Earth erupted through the fissures leading to the shaping of the underwater terrain. The breaking down of Laurasia leading to the emergence of the northern continents was completed around 66 million years ago. The Indian Ocean began to be formed around 150 million years ago. At that time India was part of the southern supercontinent, Gondwanaland. Asia was part of the northern landmass, Laurasia.

In the period mentioned above, plate tectonics forced the geological plate containing India to be separated from Madagascar and Africa and gradually began to shift the Indian plate northwards. As this plate moved north through the Indian Ocean it passed over a heated substratum. This hot spot was located approximately where what is now Reunion Island. From what is known this hot spot had played a significant role in the formation of Maldives. Scientific research today confirms that the Maldive Ridge, which extends from Chagos Archipelago up north through the islands of the Maldives to those of Lakshadweep, had passed over the hotspot. As a result a ridge of volcanic mountains was formed and followed the Indian plate on its north-eastern journey.

The journey ended with the northern reaches of the Indian plate colliding and clashing with the southern rim of the Asian plate, and forcing the gigantic folds of the Himalayan Range. Subsequently, the shape of the Indian Ocean rim was delineated. The volcanoes to which the oldest origin of the Maldives can be traced, over a very long period of time, gradually began to be submerged into the Indian Ocean. The terrain of the Maldives at that time comprised islands formed of volcanic mountains and highlands. As the mountains gradually and slowly sank into the Indian Ocean coralline deposits accumulated on the peaks and craters of the mountains. Over millions of years, these deposits grew into coral islands resting on submerged mountain-tops.

Ancient history

The Maldives was first introduced to the outside world through cowry shells. We can establish that many years before the Christian Era a variety of cowry from the Maldives had been exported to various countries. We know that in ancient times these cowries were known to be harvested in this region, only in the Maldives.

The next remarkable period is that which corresponds to the Indus Valley civilisation which had declined by about 1400 BC. As the Maldive cowry shell (cyprea moneta) has been found in the ruins of the ancient port of Lothal of the Indus Valley civilisation, we know that cowry shells from the Maldives were used by these ancient people. The geographic coverage of the Indus Valley civilisation included the area of present day Gujarat as well. In traditional times the Gujarati people had sailed to and from the Maldives. Therefore, it is possible that such links had existed even during the time of the Indus Valley civilisation.

It is likely that the first people to settle in the Maldives were members of Southwest Indian fishing communities. Among those who settled later were travellers who decided to stay on and people who were compelled to stay as their ships were wrecked in the Maldives.

The Coronation of Sultan Shamsuddin

In 1903 (1320 AH), Sultan Shamsuddin ascended the throne for the second time. His full coronation ceremony was held on 23 Jumaadhal Oola 1322 (27th July 1905). A ministerial envoy of the British King, bearing gifts in honour of the occasion, arrived in the Maldives on HMS Proserpine. He came ashore at Malé in full ceremony and was escorted to the Palace in ceremonial procession. The coronation ceremony was very well planned and executed. All the residents of Malé took part in the ceremonies. Various ceremonial activities relating to the coronation were held for fifteen nights.

The Proclamation of the First Written Constitution

The 81st monarch to reign in the Maldives, Sultan Muhammed Shamsuddin III assembled all the leading people in the Maldives and commanded them to compile a written Constitution for the Maldives. The decree was issued on 29 Shawwal 1349 (19 March 1931). The work of the Special Committee to draft a Constitution began 2 Zul Qaidhaa 1349 (22 March 1931).

Prior to drafting the Constitution, two other committees were set up. One was a committee mandated to record the traditions and customs of the Maldives. The other committee was one that was set up to translate related documents sent to Malé by the Maldivian Government Representative in Ceylon His Excellency Abdul Hameed Didi. In order to assist in the drafting of the Constitution, the Acting Governor in Ceylon, The Hon. B. H. Bourdillon visited Malé. He arrived in Malé on 15 Shawwal 1349. He came at the request of the Government of Maldives.

The Constitution was proclaimed on 23 Shaaban 1351 (22 December 1932) in full national honour and ceremony at a special Durbar that was set up for the occasion.

The Proclamation of the First Republic

On 2 Rabeeul Aakhir 1362 (8 April 1943), Sultan Hassan Nooraddin abdicated. From that time onwards, the Maldives began to progress towards a republican form of government. Following the demise in February 1952 of the Sultan-Elect, Amir Abdul Majeed Rannabadeyri Kilegefan, the time had come for setting up a republic. The special Majlis meeting held on 20 Rajab 1371 15 April 1952 unanimously agreed that a referendum should be held to determine the principles on which the country should be governed. The referendum supported the establishing of a republic to replace the sultanate. The First Republic was proclaimed on 1 January 1953 with Sumuwul Amir Muhammed Amin Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan as its president. During the time that Sumuwul Amir Muhammed Amin Dhoshimeyna Kilegefaan was at the helm of the affairs of state, he rendered a number of noteworthy services to the nation, which included the following.

The Restoration of the Sultanate

The First Republic was established at a time of dire economic hardship, both in the Maldives and the world in general. The hardship of the times imposed a severe burden on the leadership of the First Republic, which had to face numerous problems and obstacles. As a result, the First Republic was overthrown in a matter of months by a coup. The coup was instigated on 11 Zul Hijja 1372 (22 August 1953) after the Friday prayers. Among the justifications of the coup was the ineffectiveness of the First Republic. Another referendum was held regarding the system of governance of the country. The referendum supported the restoration of the sultanate and Amir Muhammed Fareed Didi was elected as the Sultan. At 1000 hrs on 1 Rajab 1373 (6 March 1954) the ascension of Sultan Muhammed Fareed al Awwal was proclaimed. During his reign, two prime ministers served him in turn. The first prime minister was Sumuwul Amir Ibrahim Faamuladeyri Kilegefan. The second was Ibrahim.Nasir. Important events that occurred during the reign of Sultan Fareed include the emergence of the Maldives as a fully sovereign and independent nation, the Addu crisis, the expulsion of Borah merchants, and the opening of the first airport.

The Second Republic

In 1968, the Cabinet submitted to the Peoples' Majlis the question whether the Maldives should continue as a sultanate or should proclaim a republic, to which the Majlis voted in favour of setting up a republic. This view was confirmed by a public referendum. On 27 September 1968, a public referendum elected Ibrahim Nasir as President, upon which, at 00hrs on 11 November 1968 (19 Shauban 1388) he was sworn-in as President and the Second Republic was established. Sumuwul Amir Ibrahim Nasir retired on 10 November 1978 after completing two terms of office as president.

Second President of the Second Republic

Following the retirement of President Ibrahim Nasir on 10 November 1978, Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected by 92% of the popular vote as president for the 5-year presidential term beginning on 11 November 1978. Accordingly, Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was sworn in as President on 11 November 1978. He was subsequently re-elected as President in 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998.

The years of President Gayoom's leadership comprise a very special era in the history of the Maldives. Major developmental projects, which have achieved commendable success, have been implemented during his tenure in office. Important strides in nation-building, tantamount to a revolutionary national transformation and which calls for justifiable national pride, has been achieved under his stewardship.

Over the past 21 years of President Gayoom's leadership, important reforms and progress have been registered in a variety of areas. Particularly significant has been the way development has become generalised throughout the archipelago. Unprecedented heights of success have been achieved in the areas of education, health and nutrition, religious awareness, historical and linguistic research, urbanisation, fisheries, tourism and other sectors of socio-economic development. In some of the fields, the progress achieved by the Maldives compares well with international standards, and indeed, has led the Maldives to be recognised as a model of development by the international community.

In addition to guiding the Maldives to success in development, President Gayoom has produced a corpus of lectures delivered at various national occasions and international forums. These speeches are without national peer and precedent in their intellectual and didactic content, and have received both national and international acclaim.

Although the Maldives is a small island state, under President Gayoom's leadership, the Maldives has been playing a very active and important role in international affairs. It is recognised globally that President Gayoom has played the lead role in generating international awareness at the political level on the phenomena of global warming and environmental deterioration. The Maldives has won many international accolades and much acclaim for the President's initiative in this area. Likewise, it was also under President Gayoom's direction that the Maldives successfully raised at the UN the issue of securing international recognition for the obligation of the international community to provide for the protection and security of small states.

President Gayoom is the prime mover of protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of children and of mainstreaming gender equality in the Maldives. The President has an affable personality and is noted for his accessibility and the ease with which he mingles with children, youths, adults and people of all ages. The President also pays particular attention to frequently attending official and unofficial functions and to socialise with the people.

The President is a man of exceptional intellectual ability, political gifts and personal charisma, traits which have been of tremendous service to the nation in achieving continued progress and development at home and prestige abroad.

The era of President Gayoom's leadership is a period of national harmony, peace, security and prosperity. President Gayoom is currently serving his fifth term of office, which began on 11 November 1998.

Future Vision

Developing a long-range vision is essential for the motivation of a nation to reach higher and achieve more. A vision of the future is one that can inspire our actions and enable us to set clear goals towards which we can invest our efforts and energy. It provides a mission for the people and a road map for the future. Accordingly, the President has articulated a well-considered and realistic vision for the Maldives in his Address to the Nation on the occasion of the 34th Anniversary of Independence Day, on 26 July 1999.

Vision 2020 holds that with the blessing of the Almighty, Maldivians will remain steadfast adherents of the noble tenets and principles of Islam in word, deed and belief. Maldivians will remain a cohesive and homogeneous community, united in faith and speaking one language.