![]() Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British | |
Signed | July 26, 1965 |
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Location | Westminster House, Colombo, Ceylon |
Ratified | July 26, 1965 |
Signatories | |
Language | English |
The Republic of Maldives gained its independence from the United Kingdom, under an agreement signed with United Kingdom on July 26, 1965, after 78 years as a British protectorate.
In accordance with the broader British policy of decolonization, an agreement was formalized on 26 July 1965 on Ceylon. The agreement was signed by Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands, representing the King of the Maldives, and Sir Michael Walker, British Ambassador designate to the Maldive Islands, representing Queen Elizabeth II. 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, the Maldivian king, Muhammad Mueenuddeen II officially accepted British protectorate in the Maldives. [1] [2] While the Maldives was a British protectorate, the Maldivian king's powers were taken over by the chief minister and the prime minister.
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]
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]
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 forced 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]
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. [3] [11]
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]
Maldives Independence Day, celebrated on July 26, 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]
The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. 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.
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. The modern nation consists of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands. Historically, the Maldives has held a strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives's 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 who 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.
Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, KCMG, NGIV commonly known as Ibrahim Nasir, was a Maldivian politician who adhered to the non-aligned ideology and was a 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.
Huvadhu, Suvadive, Suvaidu or Suvadiva is the atoll with the 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 3,152 km2, of which 38.5 km2 is dry land. The atoll contains 255 islands.
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.
Addu City is a city in Maldives that consists of the inhabited islands of Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll of the archipelago. Addu City is the second-largest urban area in Maldives, in terms of population, and is one of the two urban areas to get the status of "city" other than the capital city, Malé, and Fuvahmulah. Addu City has 6 districts. They are Hithadhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. These divisions are naturally islands, but are well connected. In addition, Addu Atoll has other uninhabited islands.
Gaafu Dhaalu is an administrative district of the Maldives formed by the southwestern section of Huvadhu Atoll. It was created on February 8, 1962, when Huvadhu Atoll was divided into two districts. Gaafu Dhaalu corresponds to the Southwestern section of this large natural atoll, south of the line extending between the channels of Footukandu and Vaarulu Kandu. The capital of this region is Thinadhoo (Thenadhoo). There are 153 islands in this district, 10 of which are inhabited. This district is located about 340 kilometers south of the capital Malé.
Fuvahmulah is an island (atoll) in the Maldives. It is under Maldives' administrative division of Gnaviyani Atoll. The island is the second southernmost administrative atoll, located to the south of Huvadhu Atoll and to the north of Seenu Atoll. It's also the third most populous island after Malé and Addu.
Gadhdhoo, is the second most populated island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. It has its own dialect of Dhivehi which is considerably different from northern and mid-Maldivian speech.
Thinadhoo City is the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu region in the atoll of Huvadhu and the proposed capital for the Upper South Province of the Maldives. It has its own dialect of Dhivehi which is considerably different from northern speech.
The president of the Republic of Maldives is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Maldives and the commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defence Force.
The United Suvadive Republic was a short-lived breakaway state from the Sultanate of Maldives between 1958 and 1963, consisting of the three southern atolls of the Maldive archipelago: Addu Atoll, Huvadhu Atoll and Fuvahmulah. The first president of the new nation was Abdulla Afeef Didi. The secession occurred in the context of the struggle of the Maldives’ emergence as a modern nation. The United Suvadive Republic inherited a Westminster system of governance cloned from Britain along with other institutional structures.
Abdulla, was crown prince of Dhiyamigili dynasty and the Maldives as the son of Sultan Muhammad Ghiyasuddin I of the Dhiyamigili dynasty.
Abdullah Afeef was the only President of the United Suvadive Republic from 1959 to 1963. Born in Hithadhoo, Addu Atoll, Afeef was an educated and well-respected individual from a family of notables. Owing to his knowledge of the English language, he served as a translator to the British military at Gan airbase in the same atoll. His local name was Elha Didige Ali Didige Afeefu.
A referendum on taking military action to conquer the breakaway United Suvadive Republic was held in the Maldives in March 1959. The proposal was approved by voters. The official results were lost.
Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi was a Maldivian diplomat and politician. He was born in 1936. He died in November 2015 in Bangkok.
The depopulation of Havaru Thinadhoo was an event that took place in 1962, following the formation of the United Suvadive Republic, when Thinadhoo, the wealthiest island at the time was forcefully depopulated and destroyed. Before the ethnic cleansing that took place on the island, there was a population of over 6,000. As many as 4,000 residents of the island were starved or killed.
The Sultanate of Maldive Islands was an Islamic monarchy that controlled the Maldives for 815 years (1153–1968), with one interruption from 1953–1954.
Ibrahim Ali Didi was a Maldivian statesman, diplomat and politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands from 1954 until his resignation on 11 December 1957. He also served as Speaker of the People's Majlis from 1944 to 1945 and Ambassador of Ceylon.
Royal Air Force Gan - Remembered
The British Empire
Royal Air Force