Thread by @NaajihDidi

#DhivehiArchives
The change of Kingship from Muhammad Shamsuddeen (III) to Muhammad Imaduddeen (VI) and again back to Muhammad Shamsuddeen (III) and the political feud between Athireege and Kakaage Houses. The following is copied from Bell's Monograph.

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(A thread)

SULTAN MUHAMMAD IMADUDDEEN V

The death of Sultán Íbráhím Núr-ud-dín (on November 29, 1892) at once opened the flood gates of bitter partisanship and chicanery at Mále.

He had left (besides five daughters) four sons, all minors, by three of his five wives.

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The eldest, thirteen or fourteen years of age, was born to Don Gomá, a niece of Muhammad Dídí Ranna Baderi Kilégefánu (of Kakaage); the second son, child of Bodugalu-ge Didi, was a boy of but eight. Within a week of communicating (December 8, 1892)...
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...the news of the Sultan's demise to the Ceylon Government the Council of Ministers (Maldivian: Raskan-hinga Majilis), headed by Íbráhím Didi (of Athireege), further notified that Sultán Íbráhím Núr-ud-din "before his death had expressed a wish that one of his sons…

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…should succeed him," and that the Ministers had "accordingly raised his son now only eight years old to the throne as Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din (V.)."

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This deliberate setting aside of the seemingly juster claim of the eldest son, without due explanation, drew from the Ceylon Governor an immediate request for enlightenment regarding "the Law of Succession in the Maldive Islands."

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No fully satisfactory reply was furnished by the Maldivian Ministers; but, meanwhile, a vigorous protest had been handed in at Colombo by Muhammad Didí, "Prime Minister of three successive Sultáns" on behalf of his discarded great-nephew.

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But already public opinion at Mále had hardened sufficiently to make itself felt to good purpose. Five months after the hasty and inconsiderate appointment of the younger boy as Sulțán Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín V.,

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…he was displaced, on a popular wave, by the substitution of his elder half-brother, styled Sultan Muhammad Shams-ud-dín III. He in turn held the position for three months only.

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SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAMSUDDEEN III

On 12th Zul Hijja, A.H. 1310 (July, 1893) the youthful Sultan Shamsuddeen, the Palace at Mále to Muhammad Dídí Ranna Badéri Kilégefánu then at Colombo...

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..." All the people, the Ministers, and Askarun (the Militia) unanimously placed me on the throne, Shawwal 20th (May)." He urged his great-uncle to return and resume the post of Prime Minister.

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Accompanying this Letter was a fuller one, nominally from "the People" but "written on 11th Zul Hijjah by command of the Sulțán" :- “The following is the news. On Sunday, the 20th of the month of Shawwál, all the Lascarins (Maldivan: Hagu-bé-kalun) assembled…

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…for the distribution (of the annual presents). Being dissatisfied with the present state of things they sent for the other inhabitants of this place (Mále), as well as those of the other Islands ; and, after holding a consultation arrived at the conclusion that,

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…what has been done previous to this has been done without their knowledge ; and, believing also that the eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim Núr-ud-din is now capable of managing his own affairs, placed him on the throne, and appointed the younger half-brother of the late…

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… Sultan Mu'in-ud-dín II., to assist him for some time. After this all of us formed the determination of preventing any person from oppressing another, and creating any disturbance for the future."

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This makes it clear that, pending attainment of majority by Sultan Muhammad Shamsud-dín, his senior cousin Hasan Núr-ud-dín (half brother of Sultán Muhammad Mu'in-ud-dín II.,

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… and eldest surviving son of the blind and ineligible Prince Hasan 'Izz-ud-dín), then about 30 years of age, had been appointed Regent of the Kingdom apparently with general consent.

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SULTAN MUHAMMAD IMADUDDIN VI
The action of the populace was strictly en régle with Máldivian Custom applicable to such eventuality. But the sudden and timely opportunity for seizing the throne itself, thus afforded, proved irresistible to the Regent, and was quickly grasped;
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…supported, as he undoubtedly then was, by Ibráhím Dídí and other Ministers (little knowing what evils a decade was to bring forth), mainly as a counterblast against Muhammad Didi's complete control over his grand-nephew Sultán Muhammad Shams-ud-dín.

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The enthronement of the Regent was based on the specious plea (Sultan's Missive, August 3, 1893) of alleged unanimous dissatisfaction regarding the existing régime by the people; who, it was asserted, had protested that " if this state of things were allowed to continue,…

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…the inhabitants would suffer, and the country would be ruined" with a mere "lad" as Sultán "not able to do or undo anything himself." "Accordingly," the Missive proceeds "they have raised me to the throne and named me Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din."

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How manifestly dubious was the Regent's claim to the Kingdom, as between himself and his boy-cousin Sultan Shams-ud-dín, was held to be at Mále itself, is forcibly brought out by the Letter (September 14, 1893) of the Council to the Ceylon Government,…

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…which-in stating with ponderous prolixity " that the inhabitants raised the third Sultán to the throne, a son of the elder brother (Hasan 'Izz-ud-dín) of Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín (IV.'s) son of Sultán Íbráhím Núr-ud-dín" -could support the election by no stronger…

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...argument than the inept quibble that " the present Sultán as well as all the sons of Sultán Íbráhím Núr-ud-din, when viewed in their relation to Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din (IV.) are members of the same stock.

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He (the Regent, now Ruler), therefore, is one of the rightful heirs to the throne."

This patent evasion of the real issue could not for a moment satisfy the British Government.

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MISSION TO MÁLE OF MR. BROWNE : 1894.
Accordingly, in compliance with directions issued by the Secretary of State for the Colonies (October 26th,1893) to despatch "an Officer of the Government to the Islands in order to make full inquiry into the present position of affairs,"
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Sir A. E. Havelock, Governor, early in 1894, commissioned Mr.Gerald Browne, formerly his Private Secretary, to visit Mále in H.M.S." Brisk" and “ ascertain whether Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din had been appointed, according to the Laws and Customs of the Máldives by the wish of the...
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… people, and whether order and confidence in his Government prevail." If satisfied on these points, Mr. Browne was to " deliver to His Highness Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din a Letter of Recognition by the Governor of Ceylon as the Sultan of the Maldive Islands."

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This important and delicate Mission, somewhat invidious for a young man to undertake, Mr. Browne carried out to the letter with "tact and ability " on January 24, 1894.

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Nothing appearing to the contrary - not unnaturally during a very short and pleasant stay at Mále - the Governor's Letter was " handed to the Sultán," and His Highness' Flag saluted.

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Thenceforth Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din VI., by "masterly deception," continued to rule the Maldives for nearly ten years (A.C. 18931903 despite persistently reiterated protests and appeals, made by, and on behalf of, Muhammad Shams-ud-din, the ousted ex-Sultán;...
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… all of which were rejected, by the Ceylon and Home Governments and turned down finally (as then supposed) in 1901 on the ground that the case was res judicata and could not be reopened.

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Nathless that very decade was not to close before Sultan Muhammad Shams-ud-din III., the rightful heir, found himself again on the throne, having come to his own once more and this time fixedly-with the dethronement and departure for Egypt of his cousin-a Sulțán...

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…who, with every possible advantage, had thrown away his kingdom (the godsend that Fortune had strangely let fall into his unworthy lap), well-nigh ruined by mal-administration, unmitigated self-seeking, and glaring nepotism.

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AFFAIRS At MÁLE : 1898 - 1900

Up to July, 1898, affairs of State remained under the control of Íbráhím Dídí as Prime Minister. His quondam rival Muhammad Dídí had kept away from Mále since the accession of Sulțán Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín VI.

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But he had been recalled by that Sultán early in 1899; and in the course of the year the pendulum of power swung back fully favourable to the Opposition.

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In May, 1899, the Ceylon Government became definitely aware that trouble was brewing at the Maldives. A special Embassy arrived, comprising Kaká-ge Muhammad Didi Ranna Baderi Kilégefánu, Prime Minister designate (Ibráhím Dídí being still in office at Mále), Malin-ge…

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…Hasan Dídí Veláná Manikufánu and Ekgama-ge 'Ali Dídí Bodu Badéri Manikufánu.

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Matters connected with heavy financial indebtedness to the Borah Firm of Carimjee Jafferjee & Co., amounting to upwards of two lakhs…

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...which the Máldive Government made little or no attempt to settle had gradually reached a deadlock.

The business connection of Carimjee Jafferjee & Co. with the Máldives had begun half a century or so previously. 

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For many years it continued to hold a much greater share of the trade of the Islands, both import and export, than any other Firm. Thus situated, Carimjee Jafferjee & Co. were brought naturally into closest relations with the Maldive Government.

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Since 1893 the Firm had been its recognized Agents in Ceylon, carrying out various transactions on its behalf, and financing the Sultán and his Government largely at times. As set-off to this accommodation, certain liberal trade concessions were obtained,...

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…which undoubtedly made for the exceptional-not to say undue advantage-of that Firm over its rivals at Mále.

This Agency and all the exclusive commercial advantages it covered were officially withdrawn from Carimjee Jafferjee & Co. in July, 1899.

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The lucrative post of Private Secretary to His Highness the Sultán had been offered to, and accepted by a Parsee Graduate, Dadabhoy Nusservanjee, a British subject.

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Definitely refused passage from Colombo back to Mále, with the three Maldivian Envoys in H.M.S. "Marathon," by Captain Field, acting upon the order of the Lieutenant Governor, lest "he might foment disturbance in the Islands, as he was interfering in Maldivian politics,"

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Dadabhoy immediately followed in the ss. "Vasna," urgently chartered for the purpose by Jeevanjee Noorbhai & Co., the most formidable rival of Carimjee Jafferjee Firm.

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Arriving at Mále a few hours only after H.M.S. "Marathon," Dadabhoy was formally arrested by Captain Field, courteously treated, and deported to Ceylon.

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Captain Field received instructions to represent the Ceylon Government at Mále, in view of possible trouble arising from too hasty a change of Prime Ministers. Regarding this the Sultan's real wishes were to be ascertained;

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…the view of the Ceylon Government being that any inconsiderate hurry must be deprecated, should Ibráhím Didí be superseded. The Sultan was to be reminded of that Prime Minister's "great services," and of his having "always given full satisfaction to the British Government";

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and informed that there was no intention on the part of the Ceylon Government to interfere with the Sultan's choice, or in any way with the internal affairs of the Islands ;

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but that serious trouble having occurred in 1887 in similar circumstances, a recurrence of any such disturbance should be stringently avoided.

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To this salutary hint the Sultán paid no heed. bráhím Didí was forthwith either relieved of his duties, or voluntarily resigned in disgust; and Muhammad Didí Ranna Baderi Kilégefánu once more "reigned in his stead" as Prime Minister. He held the post for some four years or so.
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Ibráhím Dídí was unable to get away from Mále for eighteen months until given passage to Ceylon in ss. " Ileafee " at the end of December, 1900. He then made his home at Colombo; until recalled to resume the Prime Minister-ship finally by Sultan Muhammad Shams-ud-din III...
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...after the latter's Second Accession in 1903.

With the shelving of bráhím Dídí, Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín VI. delivered himself, soul and body, into the hands of more than one venal favourite-notably Ekgama-ge Ahmad Dídí Hakurá Manikufánu, 

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one of his brothers-in-law -a policy as base as suicidal, which could not fail gradually to bring on its inevitable penalty in converting real discontent, already smouldering among his subjects, into veiled resistance, eventuating within four years in his fall from the Throne.
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SULTAN 'IMÁD-UD-DIN VI VISITS MECCA AND CAIRO: 1900, 1902.

Sultan Muhammad 'Imád-ud-din VI. left Mále on a Pilgrimage to Mecca in December, 1900, accompanied by his next half-brother Mándu-ge Dori Manifuļu ; …

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…appointing the younger half-brother, Mándu-ge Tuttu Manifuļu, Regent in his absence. Not feeling secure in the position to which he had forced himself by more than doubtful methods, before leaving the Islands on this Háj...

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...the Sultan attempted fatuously to bolster up an unstable throne, even then beginning to totter, by endeavouring to bind all the leading Chiefs to an oath of loyalty. He returned to Mále on June 2, 1901.

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Less than eighteen months afterwards (November, 1902) the Sultán again quitted his Kingdom (this time naming the elder of his two half-brothers, Dorí Mandulu, as Regent), with the object of marrying...

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…a high-born Egyptian ladys whom he proposed to settle in full State in Colombo at the expense of the Maldivian Treasury.

The peaceful Revolution which initiated his loss of the Throne occurred during this second absence.

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REVOLUTION AT MÁLE : REINSTATEMENT OF SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAMS-UD-DIN III.: 1903.

Several petitions had reached the Ceylon Government in 1901 from “ tradesmen residing at Mále, and claiming to be British subjects,…

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…in which they protested against alleged arbitrary proceedings on the part of the Sultán M. 'Imád-ud-dín" ; but no action was taken, it being held by the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Despatch, October 25, 1901)…

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..." very desirable that the Ceylon Government should, as far as possible, abstain from intervening in the local disputes of the Máldives."

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Within a few months of the departure of Sultán 'Imád-ud-dín for Egypt in 1902 the storm, which had been steadily lowering, broke at the Maldives ; though fortunately without bloodshed or violence.

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In March, 1903, the Máldivian Ministers notified the Ceylon Government " with great submission and respect, that His Highness Prince Muhmd Shamsuddín Iskandar, the eldest son of the late Sultán Íbráhím Núruddín Iskandar, and true heir to the Sultanate of the Maldive Islands
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…having just reached his age of majority, is thereby fit to undertake and manage the affairs and duties of the Government and State according to our Law and Custom": adding that he had been " enthroned with the full consent...

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and agreement of all the subjects of the Maldive Islands " on March 12, 1903, they prayed that he be " accepted and recognized as the Sultán of our country."

This Letter was accompanied by a short Missive from Sultan Shams-ud-din himself.

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The claims of Shams-ud-din having been considered and definitely rejected in 1901, when the Secretary of State for the Colonies (The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain : Despatch, May 18) had seen "no reason to reopen the question," Sir J. West Ridgeway, as Governor of Ceylon…

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..."caused a letter (April 4, 1903) to be addressed to Muhammad Shams-ud-dín declining his request for recognition."

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In no way daunted by this well-nigh hopeless rebuff, the Maldive Ministers and young Sultán promptly (May, 1903) renewed, with all due respect but added insistence, their earnest appeal for inquiry and redress.

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A further Letter from the Maldivian Ministers, and two Missives from the new Sultán formulated "grave charges of mal-administration," against Sultán 'Imád-ud-dín, expressly tabulated under eight heads,...

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…for injustice, oppression, infringement of the customs relating to the Maldives, and the laws and regulations, extravagances committed with the money in the Treasury, and misrule."

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This flood of definite accusation could no longer be resisted. It inevitably forced the Ceylon Government to recognize the urgent necessity, for speedy and thorough investigation being made into the real state of affairs at the Maldive Islands.

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MISSION TO MÁLE OF THE HON. MR. E. F. IM THURN: 1903.

The Lieutenant-Governor, the Honourable Mr. (now Sir) E. F. im Thurn, was accordingly deputed by Sir J. West Ridgeway to proceed without delay to the Maldives in H.M.S. " Highflyer" in order to inquire...

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...fully into the truth of the specific charges made against Sultán 'Imád-ud-dín for if these were substantiated, and the people found to be strongly opposed to his reinstatement, the British Government would not presumably be justified in forcing him upon them."

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Mr. im Thurn stayed four days (May 16-19, 1903) at Mále in carrying out, with vast patience and meticulous care, an exhaustive investigation based on much oral evidence extracted from high and low alike-the newly elected Sultán, his Ministers, and the leaders of the people.
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He finally satisfied himself that "the Máldivian people, with one voice, refused any longer to recognize Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín as their Sultán ; though they promised to provide him with the pecuniary support to which, as a Prince of the Royal Family, he was entitled."

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In response to a Motion anent the subject made before the Legislative Council of Ceylon on June 15, 1903, H.E. the Governor Ridgeway, in a detailed public statement, further placed the question in the clearest light, so as to dispel all possible public misconception.

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This authoritative announcement was followed up two days afterwards by a Despatch (239, June 17, 1903) to the Sec. of State for the Colonies, recapitulating the several points and the action taken from first to last in connection with Mr. im Thurn's Mission to the Maldives.
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In it the opinion was finally expressed that, though it was decided in 1901 (Despatch No. 183, May 18) not to reopen the question of Succession, there were "grave doubts as to whether Muhammad Shams-ud dín...

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...was not unfairly deposed by his cousin Muhammad 'Imád-ud-dín, when Regent, and whether "a rude justice has not been done by the coup d'état."

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Sultán 'Imád-ud-dín, who had then returned to Ceylon from Egypt, sailed for Mále on May 15, in ss. "Ileafee," the day before H.M.S." Highflyer"; but, owing to stress of weather did not arrive until May 20, the day after Mr. E. F. im Thurn had left.

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He did not land, and immediately returned to Colombo ; where for several months together be continued to bombard His Excellency the Governor with extravagant appeals as recurrent as futile.

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SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAMS-UD-DIN III.
(SECOND ACCESSION)
British official recognition of Sultan Shams-ud-din III, had to be deferred for six months, pending settlement by the Maldivian Government of the question of the deposed Sultan's State Debts and the Annual Allowance to him
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In his courteous letter of Jan 13, 1904, recognizing Shamsuddin as "Sulțán of the Maldive Islands," the Governor, Sir Henry A. Blake, added the friendly hope that His Highness might "be long spared to rule over the Maldives," and his " Dominions enjoy prosperity and peace."
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Upon the appointment to the Masnad of his great-nephew, Muhammad Didí Ranna Baderí Kilégefánu, for his part, seems voluntarily to have sought retirement from further State responsibilities.

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The way was thus paved automatically for the final recall of Íbrahim Dídí; who was pressed to return to Mále by Sultan Muhammad Shams-ud-dín.

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Confirmed from October 30, 1904, as Prime Minister to His Sovereign he continued to fill the high and responsible post with unfailing tact and efficiency till his death in 1925, aided directly or indirectly in the Administration by his three able sons and half-brother.

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Kaká-ge Muhammad Dídí, Ranna Badéri Kilégefánu (described officially as "a good natured fellow with considerable common sense "), at one time the chief opponent of Íbráhím Didí, seemed to be well content with the existing régime;...

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quite satisfied to remain a Minister and leave the chief power in the hands of his former rival and protagonist, provided his own comfort was not interfered with."

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Source: H.C.P. Bell, The Maldive Islands, Monograph on the History, Archaelogy & Epigraphy

Typed by: Muhammad Naajih

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