Independence of Maldives

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Independence of Maldive Islands
Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence papers.jpg
Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British
SignedJuly 26, 1965 (1965-07-26)
Location Westminster House, Colombo, Ceylon
RatifiedJuly 26, 1965 (1965-07-26)
Signatories
LanguageEnglish

The Republic of Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom, under an agreement signed with United Kingdom on July 26, 1965, after 78 years as a British protectorate.

Contents

In accordance with the broader British policy of decolonization, an agreement was formalized on 26 July 1965 on Ceylon. Acting on behalf of His Majesty the King, Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, the Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands, and representing Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Michael Walker, British Ambassador designate to the Maldive Islands, signed the agreement. This marked the conclusion of British responsibility for the defense and external affairs of the Maldives. With this agreement, the islands attained complete political independence. The ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Colombo.

The British expelled the Dutch from Ceylon and included the Maldives as a nominal British protectorate in 1796. [1] During the reign of Queen Victoria in 1887, Maldivian King, Muhammad Mueenuddeen II officially accepted British protectorate in the Maldives. [1] [2] While the Maldives was a British protectorate, the Maldivian Sultan's powers were taken over by the Chief Minister and the prime minister.

Independence

Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British on the Westminster House, Colombo Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British.jpg
Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British on the Westminster House, Colombo Sri Lanka.

On July 26, 1965, the Maldives achieved independence through an agreement signed with the United Kingdom, The Sultanate of the Maldive Islands gained independence from British colonial rule on July 26, 1965. The agreement was signed in the morning of July 26, 1965 at Colombo in Sri Lanka

The agreement was reached following discussions between the Maldives' representative in the Dominion of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi, and Sir Humphrey Arthington-Davy, the British representative. [3] [4]

The Maldives was under the protection of the British, however, then–Prime Minister Nasir was steadfast in his approach that he would not give even an inch to the British. Resulting in the British finally conceding defeat and agreeing to hold talks of independence with the Maldivians. The talks began on August 12, 1964, in Ceylon. [5]

The British later proposed an independence agreement, prompting President Nasir to liaise with his envoy in Ceylon, Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi, regarding necessary amendments. [5] Serving as the intermediary and negotiator on behalf of President Nasir, Mr. Didi facilitated discussions with the British. Ultimately, these deliberations led to an agreement satisfactory to both parties, thus finalizing the terms of independence. [5]

Protectorate overview

1796–1965, protectorate

In the 1790s, as the British East India Company conducted trade voyages, expediting trade routes was imperative. To facilitate this, the British Empire's government dispatched the captain of the East India Company's Bombay Marine to chart the seas surrounding the Maldives Islands. [6]

The British Map of the Maldive Islands (1920) 1920 Maldives map BPL 12595 detail.png
The British Map of the Maldive Islands (1920)

On February 22, 1887, British officials embarked on a visit to the Maldive Islands with the objective of assessing the prevailing situation in the country. Following a thorough gathering of information concerning various aspects of the nation, the British authorities conveyed to the Maldivian Monarch their perspective that the country would benefit from becoming a British protectorate. This proposition was made in consideration of geopolitical factors and the perceived advantages that such a status could offer the Maldives in terms of stability, security, and potential economic development. [6]

Britain got involved with the Maldives as a result of domestic disturbances which targeted the settler community of Bora merchants, who were British subjects in the 1860s. [7] Rivalry between two dominant families, the Athireege clan and the Kakaage clan, was resolved with the former winning the favour of the British authorities in Ceylon. [8] The status of Maldives as a British protectorate was officially recorded in an 1887 agreement. [1]

Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen II was foreced to sign the agreement. [6] On 16 December 1887, the Sultan of the Maldives signed a contract with the British Governor of Ceylon turning the Maldives into a British protected state, thus giving up the islands' sovereignty in matters of foreign policy, but retaining internal self-government. [9] The British government promised military protection and non-interference in local administration, which continued to be regulated by Muslim traditional institutions, in exchange for an annual tribute. [10]

World War II

RAF Gan, 1945 Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945 CF619.jpg
RAF Gan, 1945

Amidst the tumult of the Second World War, the British Empire strategically established RAF Gan, a Royal Air Force station, on Gan Island in the Addu Atoll. The island, now known as Gan International Airport, served as a crucial military outpost during the war. The strategic significance of Gan Island lay in its location, providing a strategic vantage point in the Indian Ocean region. RAF Gan played a pivotal role as a refueling and maintenance station for Allied aircraft, facilitating crucial air operations and supply routes in the theater of war. The establishment of RAF Gan underscored the British Empire's efforts to bolster its military presence in key regions, ensuring the defense of its interests and allies amidst the global conflict. This military installation not only contributed to Allied efforts during the war but also left a lasting legacy in the development and infrastructure of the Maldives. [11] [3]

During the reign of Sultan Fareed I, prime minister Ibrahim Faamudheyri Kilegefaan orchestrated a clandestine agreement with the British Empire, wherein Gan Island was leased to them for a duration of 100 years. [6]

Ibrahim Nasir opposed Ibrahim Faamudheyri Kilegefaan's decision to lease Gan Island to the British for a century. However, due to health issues, Kilegefaan resigned as Prime Minister, paving the way for Nasir to assume the position. Nasir's ascent to power concerned the people of Addu Atoll, who felt marginalized by the government in Malé, which they perceived as authoritarian. Addu Atoll residents feared losing the benefits and opportunities provided by the British presence, known as the "ran zamaaan" or golden years. These included jobs and services that had been extended to the people of Addu Atoll. Consequently, there were aspirations among the Addu people to establish a new republic, independent from the central government, to safeguard their interests and autonomy. [12]

On January 1, 1959, the United Suvadive Republic emerged, marking a significant rupture in the territorial integrity of the Maldives. This breakaway entity encompassed three atolls: Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu. The formation of the United Suvadive Republic represented a pivotal moment in Maldivian history, reflecting simmering tensions and grievances within these atolls regarding governance and autonomy. However, this period of separation was relatively short-lived, as the republic was dissolved in 1963, resulting in its reintegration with the Maldives. The decision to dissolve the United Suvadive Republic and reunite with the Maldives was likely influenced by a variety of factors, including political, economic, and strategic considerations. This event left a lasting imprint on the collective memory of the Maldives, serving as a reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in maintaining national unity and cohesion amidst diverse regional interests and identities. [13]

Independence Day

Maldives Independence Day, celebrated on July 26th, marks the day the country gained freedom from British rule in 1965. It is a day of national pride, marked by flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives</span> Island country in South Asia

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is named after the main island and capital of Malé. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent's mainland. The Maldives' chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Maldives</span>

The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions, comprising the areas of South Asia and Indian Ocean; and the modern nation consisting of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands. Historically, the Maldives held a strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives' nearest neighbours are the British Indian Ocean Territory, Sri Lanka and India. The United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and some Indian kingdoms have had cultural and economic ties with the Maldives for centuries. In addition to these countries, Maldivians also traded with Aceh and many other kingdoms in, what is today, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Maldives provided the main source of cowrie shells, then used as a currency throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast. Most probably Maldives were influenced by Kalingas of ancient India who were earliest sea traders to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from India and were responsible for the spread of Buddhism. Stashes of Chinese crockery found buried in various locations in the Maldives also show that there was direct or indirect trade contact between China and the Maldives. In 1411 and 1430, the Chinese admiral Zheng He 鄭和 visited the Maldives. The Chinese also became the first country to establish a diplomatic office in the Maldives, when the Chinese nationalist government based in Taipei opened an embassy in Malé in 1966. This office has since been replaced by the embassy of the People's Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibrahim Nasir</span> President of the Maldives from 1968 to 1978

Al Ameer Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, KCMG, NGIV commonly known as Ibrahim Nasir, was a Maldivian politician adhering to the non-aligned ideology and staunch anti-imperialist. Nasir served as the Prime Minister of the Maldives from 1957 to 1968 under the monarchy, and later the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives from 1968 to 1978. Nasir served two terms, then he decided to retire, even though the People's Majlis voted him in for a third term. Nasir is remembered as an independence hero for guiding the Maldives to independence from the British Empire, he is also credited for establishing the tourism industry in the Maldives, as well as rapidly modernizing and developing the country and economy.

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Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with most islands in the world. The atoll is located in the Indian Ocean. It is south of the Suvadiva Channel in the Republic of Maldives with a total area of 3152 km2, of which 38.5 km2 is dry land. The atoll contains 255 islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Gan</span> Airport in Addu Atoll, Maldives

Royal Air Force Gan, commonly known as RAF Gan, is a former Royal Air Force station on Gan island, the southern-most island of Addu Atoll, which is part of the larger groups of islands which form the Maldives, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Its motto is En Route, which signifies its importance as a strategic staging post for enabling RAF aircraft to reach their onward destinations at their bases in the Far East.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Ryavec 1995 , p. 259.
  2. ↑ Tan, Kevin; Hoque, Ridwanul (2021). Constitutional Foundings in South Asia. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 202. ISBN   978-1509930272.
  3. 1 2 "Timeline – Story of Independence". Maldives Independent. 26 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  4. ↑ Davies, Laura. "Maldives at Fifty: penning a chapter in history". Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Hadi, Abdul, Ahmedulla (26 July 2019). "The independence gained by the unyielding determination of Nasir". Sun News. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Documetary: Sabbees". YouTube (Video). Adhadhu. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Working Together to Protect U.S. Organizations Overseas". Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  8. ↑ Tan, Kevin; Hoque, Ridwanul (2021). Constitutional Foundings in South Asia. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 202. ISBN   978-1509930272.
  9. ↑ "A History of Maldives". Rabindranath Tagore Portal of History, Development and Human Security in South Asia.
  10. ↑ Walker, James. "How Maldives gained independence from the British empire". The National. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Kearney, Jonathan. "Fascinating History of How WWII Brought to the Maldives". maldives traveller. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "President Afif didi's letter". Maldives royal family.
  13. ↑ Majid, Majid. "Suvadive republic". Maldives royal family.
  14. ↑ "Maldives Independence Day 2024: Celebrating 59 Years Of Autonomy". Local Events Today. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

Works cited

Royal Air Force Gan - Remembered
The British Empire
Royal Air Force

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