This Week in History

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CWA # 1408, 28 July 2024
This Week in History
26 July 1965: The Maldives becomes independent after being a British protectorate for 77 years

  Nupur Priya

On 26 July 1965, the Maldives became independent after being a British protectorate for 77 years. The UK and the Maldives signed an agreement granting independence to the latter. The agreement was signed in Sri Lanka, granting the Maldives full control over defence and foreign affairs. The official independence ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Colombo.

The Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean, consists of 1200 coral islands, with astonishing beaches, crystal clear waters, and diverse marine life. Tourism is the lifeline of the economy; millions of tourists visit the nation every year, making it one of the most important travel destinations. 

The road to British protectorate
As per the latest archaeological evidence, the Maldives islands were first inhabited in around 1500 BC. The marine ecosystem of the islands attracted seafarers, sellers, and merchants from neighbouring countries. The Aryans, who first colonised Sri Lanka, seem to be the first permanent settlers of the islands. Further, frequent migration from Southern India and Sri Lanka helped in population expansion on the islands. With the advent of Arab and Persian travellers, Islam’s influence was seen in Maldivian society, overshadowing other religions like Buddhism and ancient paganism, resulting in the Maldives officially converting into an Islamic nation in 1153 AD.

Till the 16 th century, the islands enjoyed isolation from the rest of the world surviving through fishing and trading. The Portuguese arrival in the Indian Ocean shattered the long-standing peace on the islands. They controlled the islands for a brief period of 15 years. This was followed by several invasions from India and a brief occupation of the islands by the Dutch and French, respectively. The British came then. 

The Borah traders from the neighbouring countries had taken over the Maldivian economy during the reign of King Imadudheen IV with the backing of the British. The political rivalry between the two royal families led by Athireege Ibrahim Didi and Kakaage Mohamed Rannabadeyri Kilegefaanu led the British to intervene. In late 1886, the Sultan was deposed, who was replaced with Mohamed Mueenudeen III. The Maldives became a British protectorate with the cooperation of the Athireege family, which had ties to the British. The protectorate status was accepted by the Maldives to avoid direct colonial rule. The Britishers promised military protection and non-interference in the local administration. This arrangement was part of the broader British colonial presence in the Indian Ocean region.

The road to independence
On 16 December 1887, the Sultan of the Maldives signed a contract with the British Governor of Ceylon, turning the Maldives into a British protectorate. Under the contract, the Britishers got control over the foreign and defence policy of the Maldives. The formal acceptance of the protectorate was followed by the state’s bankruptcy and politically motivated arson campaigns in Malé. The Maldives had already lost economic independence to the Borah traders and lost its independence on foreign affairs when it became a British protectorate.

After the agreement of 1887, the British constantly maintained their presence in the Maldives. In 1948, an agreement was signed between the Maldivian government and the British, providing independence to the government in internal affairs. A drastic shift came when Ibrahim Nasir became the prime minister in 1958. During his rule, the Maldivians were granted more individual liberty and freedom. 

According to Historian Shathir, two key events in the 1960s ignited the spark among the Maldivians and intensified the demand for independence. First, the Borah traders were expelled from Mahe who controlled the economy for a very long period. Second, the brutal suppression of the revolt in the southern part of the country led to widespread criticism of Ibrahim Nasir government. According to Shathir, “reunifying the country and reclaiming control over the economy from the Borah’s showed that the Maldives had the courage to secure full independence.” 

Prime Minister Nasir led the movement for independence, which ultimately led to the 1965 agreement granting complete independence to the Maldives in both internal and external affairs. In the same year, the United Nations also recognized the Maldives as an independent nation, thus making it a UN member. Ibrahim Nasir became the first President of the newly declared republic.

What after independence
The journey from a British protectorate to a sovereign nation had its challenges. The fallout of independence was multifaceted, impacting the country's political, economic, and social fabric. Economically, the newly independent Maldives faced a daunting task. The Maldives had been heavily reliant on the export of a few commodities, primarily fish and coconuts, under British rule. Politically, the transition from a monarchy to a republic was fraught with complexities. 

The Maldives witnessed political instability and leadership changes, which hindered development efforts. Socially, independence brought about a transformation. With the opening up of the country to the outside world, Maldivian society underwent rapid changes. The influx of foreign tourists and the adoption of Western influences led to cultural shifts. While modernization brought certain benefits, it also raised concerns about the erosion of traditional values and identity.

About the author
Nupur Priya is a postgraduate student at the Department of Politics and International Studies at Pondicherry University.

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