List of sultans of the Maldives

Monarchy of the Maldives

Royal Standard
(1965–68)

Muhammad Fareed Didi
Details
Style His Highness
His Majesty (after 1965)
First monarch Soorudasaruna-Adeettiya
Last monarch Muhammad Fareed Didi
Formation Unknown
Abolition 1968
Appointer Hereditary
Pretender(s) Ibrahim Fareed Didi

This article lists the monarchs of the Maldives. All the rulers before King Koimala only ruled over parts of the Maldives or Deeva Maari (and Dheeva Mahal) as it was known then. Koimala was the first king to rule over all the islands of the Maldives as we know today and the island of Maliku. The Maldives was turned into a Sultanate in 1153 when the Buddhist King Dhovemi converted to Islam. Prior to that the Maldives was a Buddhist Kingdom, a Hindu Kingdom and before that a matriarchal society with each atoll ruled by a chief queen according to some accounts or by others, several theocratic societies ruled by priests known as Sawamias of heliolatric, selenolatric and astrolatric religions. The formal title of the Sultan up to 1965 was, Sultan of Land and Sea, Lord of the twelve-thousand islands and Sultan of the Maldives which came with the style Highness. After independence in 1965 the Sultan assumed the title King with the style Majesty.

Solar Dynasty or the Kingdom of Adeetta Vansa

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
King Soorudasaruna-Adeettiyaunknownunknown Exiled prince and son of King Sri Brahamaadittiya of the Kalinga Kingdom of India.
Queen Damahaar unknownunknown Last ruler of the Solar Dynasty. It is unclear from the records how many other rulers ruled between the reigns of King Adeettiya and Queen Damahaar. The Maapanansa, the copper plates on which the history of the Kings of Solar Dynasty was written were lost quite early on. Married Prince Sri Balaadeettiya from the Kalinga Kingdom who later became the first king of the Lunar Dynasty.

Early Lunar Dynasty or the Kingdom of Soma Vansa

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
King Balaadeettiyaaround 990unknown Prince from Kalinga Kingdom of India. Married Queen Damahaar of the Solar Dynasty to become the ruler of Deeva Mahal. Early during his reign King Raja Dada invaded the northern atolls of the Maldives. Although some sources indicate the start of the reign as 900AD, a Chinese document from the Tang Dynasty, records the visit of Maldivians to China bringing with them gifts from their king, Balaadeettiya in 658 AD and also in 662 AD.
King Loakaabaranaunknownunknown King of the Lunar Dynasty.
King Maha Sanduraunknownunknown Son of King Loakaabarana. He had a daughter Princess Kamanhaar (also known as Kamanaar or Rehendihaar) who was banished to the island then called Is-Midu (Addu Meedhoo today). With her she took the Maapanansa, the copper plates in which the history of the Kings of Solar Dynasty was written. The Maapanasa were later buried by Al-Muhaddith Hasan and this is why such little information survived about the Solar Dynasty.
King Bovana Aanandaunknownunknown Son of King Loakaabarana and brother of King Maha Sandura. He was the father of King Koimala.

Lunar Dynasty (later the Theemuge Dynasty)

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
King Mahaabarana Adeettiya (Koimala)11171141He became the first king to rule over the whole of Maldives after reclaiming the northern atolls from the Indian invaders.
King (later Sultan) Dhovemi11411166/1176Reigned as a Buddhist until 1153. Son of Henevi Maava Kilege, sister of Koimala. A member of the Soma or Homa (Lunar) Dynasty. Converted to Islam in 1153, assumed the title Sultan and founded the Theemuge Dynasty. He was the famous Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu or the Benevolent King.
Sultan Muthey1166/11761185Mother’s sister’s son of Dhovemi
Sultan Ali I11851193
Sultan Dhinei11931199
Sultan Dhihei11991214Brother of Sultan Dhinei I.
Sultan Wadi12141233Brother of Sultan's Dhinei I and Dhinei II.
Sultan Valla Dio12331258Brother of Sultan's Dhinei I, Dhinei II and Wadi.
Sultan Hudhei12581264
Sultan Aima12641266
Sultan Hali I12661268
Sultan Keimi12681269
Sultan Audha12691278Son of Sultan Wadi
Sultan Hali II12781288Son of Sultan Audha
Sultan Yoosuf I12881294Brother of Sultan Hali II
Sultan Salis12941302Son of Sultan Yoosuf I
Sultan Davud13021307Son of Sultan Yoosuf I
Sultan Omar I13071341Son of Sultan Salis
Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddine13411347Son of Sultan Omar I, deposed and banished by sister Khadijah
Sultana Khadijah13471363Deposed her brother Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddine. Deposed herself by her first husband Mohamed el-Jameel
Sultan Mohamed el-Jameel13631364First Husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by estranged wife Khadijah. He was nicknamed Handsome Mohamed.
Sultana Khadijah13641374Second reign on assassination of first husband Sultan Mohamed el-Jameel. Deposed for a second time by her second husband Abdullah.
Sultan Abdullah I13741376Second husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by wife Khadijah
Sultana Khadijah13761380Third reign
Sultana Raadhafathi13801380Daughter of Sultan Omar I, half sister of Sultana Khadijah. Deposed by husband Mohamed.
Sultan Mohamed I13801385Husband of Sultana Raadhafathi.
Sultana Dhaain13851388Daughter of Sultan Mohamed I. Deposed by husband Abdullah.
Sultan Abdullah II13881388Husband of Sultana Dhaain. Some records call him a Regent (Henevi-rasge).
Sultan Osman I13881388Former prime minister to Raadhafathi and Dhaain. Last of the Lunar Dynasty.

Hilaalee Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Hassan I13881398First of the Hilaaly Dynasty.Son of Golhaavahi Kambulo (probably a Lunar dynasty lady) and Kulhiveri Hilaalu Kaeulhanna Kaloge son of Muslim Abbas of Hulhule
Sultan Ibrahim I13981398Son of Sultan Hassan I. Deposed by his uncle Hussain.
Sultan Hussain I13981409Brother of Sultan Hassan I. Assumed the throne after deposing his nephew Sultan Ibrahim I.
Sultan Nasiruddine14091411Introduced the Islamic penal code. Possibly a member of the Lunar Dynasty
Sultan Hassan II14111411Drowned in a tank.
Sultan Isa14111411Brother of Sultan Hassan II.
Sultan Ibrahim I14111421Second reign, first reigned in 1398.
Sultan Osman II14211421Son of Sultan Osman I.
Sultan Danna Mohamed14211421Uncle of Sultan's Hassan I and Hussain I. Prime Minister to Osman I
Sultan Yoosuf II14211443Son of Sultan Hassan I
Sultan Aboobakuru I14431443Son of Sultan Hassan I half brother of Sultan Yoosuf II. Killed in battle with the Portuguese who came to summon the Council of Ministers of the Maldives to Cochin.
Sultan Hasan III14431467Son of Sultan Aboobakuru I. Deposed by Sayyid Mohamed while abroad.
Sultan Sayyid Mohamed14671467Possible descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Deposed by Sultan Hassan III upon returning to Maldives.
Sultan Hasan III14671468Second reign.
Sultan Mohamed II14681480Son of Sultan Hasan III.
Sultan Hassan IV14801480Son of Sultan Mohamed II. Deposed by Omar II.
Sultan Omar II14801484Son of Sultan Yoosuf II.
Sultan Hassan V14841485Son of Sultan Omar II.
Sultan Hassan IV14851491Second reign.
Sultan Hassan VI14911492Grandson of Sultan Aboobakuru I.
Sultan Ibrahim II14921492Son of Omar II.
Sultan Kalu Mohamed14921492Son of Sultan Omar II. Deposed by his brother Yoosuf.
Sultan Yoosuf III14921493Son of Sultan Omar II.
Sultan Ali II14931495Grandson of Sultan Hassan I.
Sultan Kalu Mohamed14951510Second reign. Son of Sultan Omar II Deposed for a second time, this time by his nephew Hassan.
Sultan Hassan VII15101511Son of Sultan Yoosuf III.
Sultan Sharif Ahmed15111513An Arab from Mecca. Possible descendant of Muhammad.
Sultan Ali III15131513Killed in a duel with his sister Burecca (Buraki Raani). Grandson of Sultan Aboobakuru I.Son of Mohamed Farhana Kalo and Recca daughter of Aboobakuru I
Sultan Kalu Mohamed15131529Third accession assisted by his wife princess (later queen) Burecca who killed her brother Ali III
Sultan Hassan VIII15291549Son of Sultan Kalu Mohamed and Fatuma Dio, a concubine from Shiraz in Persia.
Sultan Mohamed III15491551Assassinated by his brother Hassan succeeded him. Son of Golhavahi Aysha Rani Kilege and Omar Maafaiy Kilege son of Kalu Mohamed and Aysha Rani Kilege daughter of Korari Kilege. Therefore, Grandson of Sultan Kalu Mohamed.
Sultan Hassan IX15511552Brother of Mohamed III. He was the first Maldivian and only member of its royalty to renounce Islam and convert to Christianity. He was deposed upon conversion, and known subsequently by the Lusitanian name of Dom Manoel.
Interregnum15521554Maldives ruled by a Council of Ministers.
Sultan Aboobakuru II15541557Son of Ibrahim Faarhana Kilege and Sanfa Dio. Former Prime Minister to Dom Manoel.
Sultan Ali IV15571558Killed in battle. Son of Prime Minister Abdur Rahman Dorhimeyna Kaloge and Sitti Rani Kilege. He was married to Princess Aysha Rani Kilege, aunt of Dom Manoel and daughter of Kalu Mohamed.
King Dom Manoel15581573Restored as the king. Formerly known as Sultan Hassan IX. A Maldivian Catholic named Andiri Andirin acted as his regent, while Manoel lived in Goa.
Interregnum15731573Maldives ruled by Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan of Utheemu after he assassinated Andiri Andirin, the regent of King Dom Manoel. As per a treaty he got refuge from Ali Raja of Cannanore, Mohamed Thakurufan's base of operation was Minicoy under the sovereignty of Cannanore. Keteeb Mohamed Thakurufan did not honour this promise. The Ali Raja demanded dominion over the Maldives, as promised to him by the Kateeb of Uteem.
The nature of the relationship between Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan and the Ali Raja of Cannanore was outlined in a letter sent by a later Ali Raja, Mariambe Ali-Adi Raja Bibi, to the Sultan Mohamed Mueenuddine I of the Maldives. The letter was dated Friday 17 Jamada-el-oula Anno Hegirae 1243 (7 December AD 1827). According to the letter Mohamed Thakurufan had entered into a treaty ceding sovereignty of the Maldives to the Ali Raja of Cannanore in the event Thakurufan was established in power in Male. (refer page 294 of Divehi Tarikh).
King Dom Manoel15731583Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan concluded a Treaty with King Dom Manoel in order to ward off the Ali Raja of Cannanore with whose help the Kateeb seized power in Male.

Under the treaty, Dom Manoel was restored but remained in Goa. The co-regents were Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan of Utheem and his brother Hassan Thakurufan. The kateeb conferred on himself the title of sultan in 1583 upon Dom Manoel's death. This was in breach of the Treaty and was not legally binding.

King Dom João15831603Son of King Manoel, who remained in Goa. He had two brothers, Dom Francisco and Dom Pedro. Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan and his brother Hassan Thakurufan ruled for King Dom João as co-regents. Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan assumed the title of Sultan following the death of King Dom Manoel. He married a Portuguese Christian noblewoman, Donna Francisca Vasconelles and had two children, Dom Philippe and Dona Inez.

Ibrahim, also known as Kalaafaan (literally "Lord") was the de facto sultan, but legally the regent of Kings Dom João and Dom Philippe who resided in Goa. He reigned from 1585 to 1609. Son of Mohamed Thakurufan, kateeb of Utheemu and Rehendiye Goyye daughter of Cat Fatima of Boarhi Woods in Baarah.

Ibrahim Kalaafaan was the regent at the time of Pyrard's detainment in the Maldives after the shipwreck.

King Dom Philippe16031632Son of King Dom João and Donna Francisca Vasconelles. Hussain Faamuladeyri Kilege acted as regent from 1609 to 1620. Muhammad Imaduddin I acted as regent from 1620 to 1632. De-recognised in the Maldives after an abortive expedition with Portuguese assistance in order to abolish regency and assume power.

Utheemu Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I16321648Legally proclaimed sultan in 1632 former regent for King Dom Philippe.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I16481687Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I.
Sultan Kuda Muhammad16871691Son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I. His mother Princess Maryam acted as regent due to his age. Killed with his mother while at sea in an explosion.
Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine16911692Re-established the Islamic penal code. Son of Daravandu Kadida Dio and Abu Naibu Hassan Dorhimeyna Kilege son of the Regent Hussain Famuladeyri Kilege.

Hamawi Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen I16921692Arab mentor of Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine. He first visited Male during the reign of Ibrahim Iskandar I. He was Probably poisoned to death. He coutuned the re-establishment of the Islamic Penal code held by the previous Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine and assigned Scholars to teach in Mosques. In his Sultanate Maldives was very peaceful and citizens became educated and religious. (refer page 67 to 69 of Divehi Tarikh)

Isdhoo Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Mohamed IV16921701First Sultan of the Isdhoo Dynasty. Son of Ali Mafahaiy Kilege of Devvadu and Kakuni Dio. Probably poisoned to death by his successor.
Sultan Ali V17011701Son of Ibrahim Shah Bandar Kilege of Isdu and Aysha Dio.
Sultan Hasan X17011701Son of Sultan Ali V. Deposed by his cousin Ibrahim Mudzhiruddine. He is not listed in Radhavalhi, the official chronicle.
Sultan Ibrahim Mudzhiruddine17011704Cousin of Sultan Hasan X. Deposed by his Prime Minister Muhammad Imaduddin during the regency of his spouse, Fatima Kabafa'anu, while on the Hajj pilgrimage.

Dhiyamigili Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II17041720Prime Minister to Sultan Ibrahim Mudzhiruddine. First of the Dhiyamigili Dynasty.Son of Ibrahim Dorhimeyna Kaloge and Amina Dio.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II17201750Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II and Amina Dio of Fenfushi.
Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin III17501757Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II and Amina Dio of Fenfushi. Held captive on Kavaratti island from 1752 until his death in 1757. In 1752 he was seized by the Ali Raja of Cannanore and transported to Kavaratti island in the Laccadives. Male was occupied. The occupation was ended by Muleegey Dom Hassan Maniku, a direct descendant of the penultimate Christian King Joao. The sultan died in captivity. During this time Maldives was ruled by the captive sultan’s niece Amina I of Maldives and his daughter, Amina II. The de facto regent was Muleegey Dom Hassan Maniku.
Sultana Amina I17531754Daughter of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II. Amina assumed the role of the ruler (regent) of Maldives in 1753 after Male was recaptured from the Malabars after 17 weeks of occupation. She was the daughter of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II and Aisha Manikfan. She abdicated the throne and moved to Addu Atoll in the south. She was later banished to various islands and eventually became the Ruler of Maldives for the second time as the regent during the reign of her younger brother Sultan Mohamed Ghiyasuddin in 1773. Her husband Ali Shahbandar took power during her second regency, and Dhiyamigili Dynasty lost the throne in the cascade of events that followed. Mohamed Manikfaan of Huraa usurped the throne and later abdicated in favour of his nephew who became Sultan Muizzuddin. Amina and her husband were banished to a remote island in Laamu Atoll.
Sultana Amina II17571759Daughter of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin III. Amina succeeded her cousin in 1754 as nominal regent for her absent father the age of nine, while Muleegey Hassan Manikfaan managed the political affairs as de facto regent. Her father died in 1757 in Minicoy, after which she formally became monarch and queen regnant. In 1759 Sultan Hassan Izzuddin became monarch because the citizens did not approve of a young female as their head.

Huraa Dynasty

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din17591766First Sultan of the Huraa Dynasty. Son of Amina Dio daughter of Mohamed Kateeb of Muli and Huraa Mohamed Faamuladeyri Thakurufan.

Dhiyamigili dynasty (restored)

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'as ud-din17661774Son of Ibrahim Iskandar II. Deposed while on the Hajj pilgrimage

Huraa Dynasty (first restoration)

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen II17741774 Uncle of Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din.
Sultan Muhammad Mu'iz ud-din17741779 Son of Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din.
Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen I17791779 Brother of Sultan Muhammad Mu'iz ud-din.
Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen I17791835 Son of Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen I.
Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen IV18351882 Son of Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen I.
Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen18821886 Abdicated in favour of his nephew Muhammad Mueenuddeen.
Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen II18861888 Abdicated in favour of his uncle the former Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen.
Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen18881892 Second reign.
Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen V18921893 His cousin Hassan Nooreddine Maandhoogey Manippulu acted as his regent due to his age. The regent abdicated in his name in favour of his older half brother.
Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III18931893 Brother of Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen V. His cousin Hassan Nooreddine Maandhoogey Manippulu acted as his regent due to his age. His cousin abdicated in his name and assumed the throne himself.
Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen VI18931902 Former regent for Sultan's Muhammad Imaaduddeen V and Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. Deposed while in the Ottoman Empire.
Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III19021934 Second reign which ended when he was deposed and exiled.
Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II19351943 Forced to abdicate.
Interregnum19441952 Abdul Majeed Didi was elected Sultan but was never installed and continued to live in Sri Lanka. Maldives ruled by Council of Regency headed for a time by former Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II. Following the death of Abdul Majeed, and after a national referendum, the Maldives became a republic.

First Republic of Maldives

Huraa Dynasty (second restoration)

Name Monarch From Monarch Until Notes
Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi19541968Grandson of Muhammad Mueenuddeen II. Took the title of King in 1965, when the British protectorate of the Maldives ended. Deposed by a national referendum which decided to replace the sultanate with a republic.

Second Republic of Maldives

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.