Marking The Freedom Of An Island Nation From The Malabars Of South India

In its millennia-long history, the Maldives has lost its independence and sovereignty a couple of times. One such instance is when the Malabars from South India (the coastal parts of Kerala was called Malabar) conquered and ruled the country for a brief four months in the 1750s. 

During the reign of Sultan Mukarram Muhammad Imaduddin III, a South Indian expedition invaded the capital city of the Maldives on the orders of Ali Raja of Kannur. They burnt down the Sultan’s Palace and also captured and kidnapped the Sultan, other royals and ministers. Then began their rule which was deemed extremely cruel. However, under the leadership of Muleege Hassan Maniku, a group of brave Maldivians fought to liberate Maldives from the injustices of Malabars and successfully regained its independence. They were later dubbed as ‘Dhon Bandarain’. 

Well, how did they do it? Here you go! It’s actually not too complicated. 

In the early hours of Sunday, 3rd Jumadhul Akhir 1166 of the Islamic Calendar, Muleege Hassan Maniku arranged for the pre-dawn prayers earlier than usual as the Malabars usually go to bed when they hear the prayers. Unbeknownst to them, the Dhon Bandarain has earlier persuaded the Malabar gatekeeper to keep the gate open of their ‘Veydhoshu Ganduvaru’. A surprise attack then followed killing many of the Malabars where the few who were able to escape cowardly fled the country in one of their ships. 

In honor of the win, Muleege Hassan Maniku was later given the title of Sultan Hassan Izzudheen. The name ‘Huravee’ dwells from the fact that Sultan Hassan is a descendent of a family from Huraa island in Kaafu atoll. Huravee Day is celebrated on every 3rd Jumadhul Akhir of the Islamic Calendar.