KING KALAAFAAN
MANUSCRIPTS
How the Maldives monarchy treasured theremembrance of a fallen king for more thanfour hundred years.
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LINGUISTICAND HISTORICAL RESEARCH

King Kalaafaan
Manuscripts
How the Maldives monarchy treasured
the remembrance of a fallen king for
more than four hundred years

AHMED NAZIM SATTAR©2009 National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. Maldives.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without
the prior permission in writing of NCLHR, or as expressly permitted
by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights
organization.
Photography by Mauroof Khaleel.

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LINGUISTICAND HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Contents
FOREWORD
THE FIND

8
11

INTRODUCTION
What is a “faiykolhu”
What is a “waqf ”?
Death of King Kalaafaan
Importance of Kalaafaan’s Tomb

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13
17
19

LIFE AND TIMES OF SULTAN IBRAHIM
III KALAAFAAN (REIGNED 1585-1609)
Pyrard’s Accounts
Tajudeen’s chronicles
Wives of King Kalaafaan
On Kalaafaan marrying his stepmother

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27
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31

THE TEN PAPER GRANTS
1. Paper Grant relating to the Death ofKing Ibrahim III Kalaafaan (1609AD)
2. Imadudeen I Grant (1628 AD )3. Queen Tukkamana Grant (1661 AD.)
4. Chief Queen Kanba Aisha’s Inheritance (1666 AD)
5. Ibrahim Iskandar II Grant (1737 AD)
6. Hassan Noordeen I Grant (1792 AD)
7. Grant written by Ali Maafaiy the Scribe
8. Shamsudeen III Grant (1930 AD)
9. Abdul Majeed Didi Grant ( 1930/31 AD)
10. Tenth Grant

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40
42
44
46
48
50

APPENDIX: TRANSLATIONS OF THE PAPER GRANTS
1. Paper Grant relating to the Death ofKing Ibrahim III Kalaafaan (1609 AD)
52
2. Imadudeen I Grant (1628 AD )56
3. Queen Tukkamana Grant (1661 AD.)56
4. Chief Queen Kanba Aisha’s Inheritance (1666 AD)58
5. Ibrahim Iskandar II Grant (1737 AD)
67
6. Hassan Noordeen I Grant (1792 AD)
68
7. Grant written by Ali Maafaiy the Scribe
69
8. Shamsudeen III Grant (1930 AD)
7072
7. Abdul Majeed Didi Grant (1930/31 AD)
LIST OF IMAGES
BIBLIOGRAPHY

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FOREWORD
The discovery and interpretation of the Kalaafaan Manuscripts
represent a turning point in our approach to the whole idea of heritage
management. Subsequent work carried out in order to preserve andinterpret the ancient documents, opened up new opportunities forhistorians and culture specialists in the form of fresh raw material.
In this respect, President Mohamed Nasheed’s decision to initiate
the Hangnaameedhoo Project enabled the National Centre to
begin planning an exhibition of these manuscripts. The island ofHangnaameedhoo began to appear as a viable template for developing
cultural tourism. Protecting and preserving these scrolls of paper
along with renovating the old mosque and shrine of King Kalaafaan
became our immediate target.
The Team soon realized the scope of the programme in termsof management where collaborations had to take place between
the Office of the President, Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture,
Department of National Planning, Ministry of Finance, Island
Council, resort developers and owners, just to name a few.
President Nasheed also was keen to conduct an enquiry into thecircumstances that surrounded the old manuscripts. Restoration andrepair of the scrolls soon commenced, with special facilities and space
being provided for the work inside Muleeaage, the official residenceof the President.
Ms Naseema Mohamed, the team leader who was at that time engaged
on a book project did not waste time in pondering the possibilities
before the team. Instead she began the difficult task of assisting in
the documentation, interpretation of the originals and drawing up
a project plan. An avid researcher herself, Ms Naseema Mohamed’s
familiarity with the early history of Maldives helped the team venture
into this research oriented programme.

giving precise and accurate information on events and personalities
that have so far been only names written on paper.
A long time associate of the National Centre, Mr. Ahmed Rasheedwith the eager assistance of his wife Khadeeja Hassan Maniku helped
decipher the ancient Maldivian script, Dhives Akuru. Mr Ali Ibrahim
Maniku Kelaa Alibe’, a history buff himself, also contributed his timeand knowledge. Nazly Ibrahim, Ismail Nasru assisted in the historicalresearch, while Ms Shiuna, Thoiba Saeed, and Mohamed Nashraahmust be commended for their patience in tackling the administrative
component of this project.
The members of the committee in charge of steering this project
must be given the credit for the smooth launching and the many
hours of dedication that enabled the National Centre to manage thisprogramme.
This book would not have been published save for the generous
sponsorship conferred by . . .
For these reasons and more, I take great pleasure in presenting thisgem-of-a-book on King Kalaafaan, written and compiled by Mr
Ahmed Nazim Sattar.
Ahmed Naseer,
Chairman,National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research,
Male’, Maldives.
28 Shawwal 1430
17 October 2009

Mr Ahmed Nazim Sattar, a keen researcher of history, has donesome excellent work in translating the difficult Old Dhivehi texts
into English. He has brought the feel of the Old Dhivehi into English,
a very arduous task indeed, so that the spirit of the ancient writers
can be felt through the words. This book is indeed a wonderfulachievement, that will help researchers of Maldivian history, by
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THE FIND
Following the first multiparty presidential elections in the Maldivesin October 2008, the first democratically elected president Mohamed
Nasheed was sworn in on 11th November 2008. Having assumed
the position of Head of Government, the President moved his new
administration to the President’s Office.
It was during the setting up of the new administration in the President’s
Office by the new government, that President Nasheed discovered box
loads of old manuscripts in the President’s Office in danger of being
discarded. Having rescued these priceless manuscripts – more than
800 documents – the President commissioned a team of competentpeople to conduct an extensive study on the manuscripts.
This project is the result of the study of ten of these “paper grant”
manuscripts relating to the tomb of the slain king Sultan Ibrahim
III (1585-1609), popularly known as King Kalaafaan. This tomb islocated in the island of Hangnaameedhoo in Alifu Dhaalu (Ari)Atoll, where the ship carrying the slain King was brought by the tide.
The King was buried by the side of the main mosque of the island.
For more than four hundred years, this tomb has been revered by
Maldivians, rulers and people alike. Documents providing for the
upkeep of this tomb were inscribed by many of the kings and queens
who came thereafter.
It was decided to display copies of the manuscripts discovered in
the President’s Office, with explanatory texts, in the land adjacentto Kalaafaan’s Tomb, in the island of Hangnaameedhoo, for the
information of visitors and Maldivians alike.

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INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A “FAIYKOLHU”
A faiykolhu – here translated as a paper grant – is described as
an “official document” according to “A Maldivian Dictionary” by
Christopher Reynolds.
In his work, The Máldive Islands, Monograph on the History,Archæology, and Epigraphy, 1940, British civil servant and Maldives
historian H.C.P Bell writes that Maldivian historical records fall into
four broad categories:(i) Inscriptions and grave epitaphs(ii) Lomaafaanu or land grants inscribed in copper plates(iii) Faiykolhu, which were royal beneficiary documents cut
on wood or written on vellum or paper(iv) Chronicles, namely the Radavalhi, a minor curtailed
history, and Divehi Tarikh, a more complete history
The importance of these paper grants is described by François Pyrardde Laval (ca. 1578 – ca. 1623) who was held captive in Maldives, having
been shipwrecked on Baa Atoll in 1602. Pyrard was a Frenchman
who is remembered for a personal written account of his adventuresin the Maldive Islands from 1602 to 1607(1609?).
In his work titled the Voyage of François Pyrard of Laval to the East
Indies, the Maldives, the Moluccas, and Brazil he says:
I have also observed, as a matter pertaining to the forms of
their judicature, that they put not the process or the pleadings
in criminal causes into writing, nor the indictments, nor
the depositions, nor the judgments: all is very prompt andsummary. And it is the same in civil actions, except in suits
for hereditaments, or coco-trees (which are immovable
property), wherein judgments are delivered by the Pandiareor the Naybes. In such case they grant writs [of possession],sealed with their seal in ink, for I have never seen them
12

use wax for sealing, and these serve for evidence to theirposterity, to the end that thenceforth neither he that hathgained the cause, nor his heirs, may be disquieted in theirpossession (Pyrard V1. p. 207 )In the case of paper grants relating to King Kalaafaan’s Tomb – thesubject matter of this book – they relate to the waqf endowments
donated to the Tomb for its upkeep starting from 1609 up to 1930.

WHAT IS A “WAQF”?
Ludwig Adamec, in his book titled “The A to Z of Islam” describes a
waqf as “real estate, or property given to God in perpetuity in supportof religious and charitable institutions” (Adamec 273).
The Arabic preamble of Queen Kanba Aisha’s Grant (see p.53)
explains the jurisdictions of a waqf in four logical stages, in thefollowing terms:[From the Quran] The parable of those who spend theirpossessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of
which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: forGod grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; andGod is infinite, all-knowing (2:261); …
[From the Hadith] “The Messenger of God said “Whena man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring
charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a piousson, who prays for him (for the deceased”).
[Interpretation by Scholars] “according to the Ulema a“recurring charity” (as mentioned by the Prophet) meansa waqf ”.
[Definition of Waqf] “It is also narrated that `Umar ibn
al-Khattab got land in Khaibar; so he came to the Prophet,peace and blessings of God be on him, to consult him aboutit. He said, O Messenger of God! I have got land in Khaibar
than which I have never obtained more valuable property;
13what dost thou advise about it? He said : “If thou likest,
make the property itself to remain inalienable, and give(the profit from) it in charity.” So `Umar made it a charity
on the condition that it shall not be sold, nor given away as
a gift, nor inherited, and made it a charity among the needy
and the relatives and to set free slaves and in the way of God
and for the travelers and to entertain guests, there being noblame on him who managed it if he ate out of it and made(others) eat, not accumulating wealth thereby”.
On the importance of these waqf endowments in Maldives Pyrard
says:
The burial of the nobles and the rich is usually in thecemeteries around the mosques, where ground is bought
dearly enough: except when they have themselves built themosque, in which case they are wont to reserve a site forthemselves and their family adjoining the mosque; and thisis the most honourable place. This money is distributed,
with other like profits, among the priests of the mosque; forbesides the Moudins, every mosque has a certain number ofother priests called Quiauany, who are maintained for theservice of the temple and cemetery out of the funds settled
by the builders of the temple. These incumbencies are very
honourable, and are even bought. Only those of that temple
can perform the funeral service at a burial there, not thoseof another. (Pyrard V.1 p. 158)
The contents of the ten paper grants related in this book demonstrate
how the Maldives monarchy continued to treasure the remembranceof a fallen king for more than four hundred years by maintaining his
tomb as a “recurring” charitable institution.

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15

DEATH OF KING KALAAFAAN
Sultan Ibrahim III (1585-1609) was the only son of the legendary
Maldivian hero Sultan Mohamed Thakurufan the Great of Uteemu,
who liberated Maldives from Portuguese domination according to
Maldivian historical annals. Sultan Ibrahim is popularly known as
King Kalaafaan (literally “Lord”). His mother was Rehendi Goyyedaughter of Cat Fatima of Boshi Woods in Baarah.
Born in Uteemu Island circa 1547, the King met a tragic death, on
4 February 1609, at the hands of Malabar pirates and was buried in
Hangnaameedhoo Island, Ari Atoll.
Paper Grant 1 describes the events that unfolded relating to the deathof Kalaafaan.
In the 1017th year since the Prophet’s migration from preeminent Mecca to godly Medina; on the Wednesday 28th ofthe month of Shawwal (February 4, 1609); a dozen and two
Malabar galleys, having sailed in hostility against Ibrahim
Fashanaa Kilegefaanu, the Warrior, the son of Mohamed
Bodu Thakurufaanu the Warrior; having waged war
against this Lord, and this Lord upon being martyred by alance thrown at him by these people;
Ibrahim Kalaafaan was the Maldives king at the time François Pyrardde Laval (ca. 1578 – ca. 1623) was captive in the islands. He writes:
Two nights after that (it was in the month of February, inthe year 1607) the king had warning of the coming of anarmada of sixteen galleys or galleots, which were alreadypreparing to enter the islands. The news greatly astonishedboth the king and his people, for they had no word of it
before, and the suddenness of it surprised them. (Pyrard
V.1 p. 310).
The king, having embarked for his safety in his royal galley,called by them Ogate Gourabe (gourabe means “galley”,
and ogate, “royal”), along with his wives and his nephew,
was constrained to leave behind the greatest part of his
wealth, and all his arms and cannon, of which he had a
16

17

great store in the island, for he had no time to arm himself
or to ship them; and then, at the same moment when all
the rest were on board, he gave the word to use sail andoars, and to take the route for the south and the atollons of
Souadou…(Pyrard V.1 p. 312)
The eight galleys that were bidden to go after the king cameup with him and to close quarters, whereupon the king,attempting to defend himself was slain by a pike-thrust,
followed by sword-cuts; his wives were taken prisoners, andhis nephew was drowned (Pyrard V.1 p. 314)
The cause of the taking and death of the king was that
there was no wind, but the greatest calm possible, and thatthe enemy’s galleys were better for rowing than those of
the king, which were only good for sailing, and of no use
for oars. Had there been but a little wind they could nothave caught him; but his ill-fortune cast him into this fate,
which he fully merited for the great cruelties he had used.
Not one of the island vessels was taken in this chase; andhad the king and his wives embarked in them, they would
have had a chance of escape; but his hour was come, andfor my part I hold that it was by the mercy of God he wasthus slain at the first shock, so that he saw not the sad andpiteous spectacle, which met my eyes, of the condition of his
wives and state. There was, however, no great massacre, for
except the king and two or three others slain with him…
(Pyrard V.1 p. 314)
There is a discrepancy of two years between Pyrard’s date of thisevent having occurred in 1607 and that of the Grant which puts thedate as 1609.
Dhivehi Tarikh based on the Arabic chronicles of Hassan Tajudeen
gives the following account of King Kalaafaan’s death.
He discussed many matters with scholars, looked out for thewelfare of the people, and reigned justly for 24 years until
Malabar pirates appeared in their ships. The king summoned
his ministers and amirs, including judge Haddhunmathi
Funadhoo Mohamed Fandiyaru Kaleygefan, and discussed18

the battle plan. The judge suggested it was better to run
and hide than to fight. The king quickly boarded a large
ship leaving for the south of the country but the enemy
approached the king’s vessel and a sea fight started. People
from the king’s ship jumped overboard and swam to an
uninhabited island. The king and Jamal Kalo fought theenemy and were martyred. The pirates grabbed cargo,swords, guns and lances, and then abandoned the vessel. It
drifted to Hangnameedhoo island on Ari (Alifu) atoll. The
islanders saw the ship and discovered on board the bodiesof the king and Jamal Kalo. They were buried at the island
mosque. The enemy entered Malè, looting the palace andassaulting the royal family.
King Kalafan was martyred on Wednesday 28th of themonth of Shawwal 1017 (4 February 1609).

IMPORTANCE OF KALAAFAAN’S TOMB TO THE
MALDIVIAN MONARCHICAL ESTABLISHMENTThe Uteemu Dynasty who ruled the Maldives for most part of theSeventeenth Century claimed that the dynasty’s second ruler, King
Kalaafaan was martyred. Thereafter Kalaafaan’s Tomb became thereligious identity from which the Uteemu Dynasty legitimized theirhold onto power, to counter their low status of lineage among the
Maldivian royalty.
We know that Kalaafaan’s Tomb was revered by Maldivian kings evenafter the abolition of the monarchy in 1968. From King Kalaafaan’s
main paper grants displayed here we know the endowment to thetomb is extensive, with banana plantations and toddy-sugar producing
coconut tree plantations bequeathed to the tomb. In addition many
inhabited islands encompassed the “guild” of Kalaafaan’s Tomb. Just
to give an example of these endowments from the paper grants:
The entire island named Kuramathi of Ariadhu Atoll, andall things belonging to the Crown from this island, theislet named Fenfushi in Kolhumadulu; the plot of landof seventy two bama [measurement] to the south of the19Land’s End Mosque of Kandoodhoo that Lord Kalaafaanbought from Hussain Kalo Son of Judge Noordeen of
Hanimaadhoo, having paid for it from his own possessions
in Kolhumadulu Kandoodhoo; and all coconut trees, othertrees, bananas and root cultivations upon the plot [all are
endowed to the Tomb]
We also know people were appointed to undertake the upkeep of the
Tomb:
Whereas these ten people are pleased that having been
allowed to eat from the proceeds of the toddy of the toddy
makers mentioned in the Grant and other things mentioned
in this Grant; they shall conduct the tasks assigned uponthis Lord’s tomb as mentioned in this Grant according to
the aforementioned way; and even if the aforementioned
products were accurately entrusted to them or even if
these products were less than mentioned, these people shallconduct what had been assigned upon them, and if one
among the ten people is unavailable a righteous man fromthe island shall be put in place;
These Reciters – as they were called – and the entire Hangnameedhoo
population were then granted special concessions.
Having listened and having assented to the plea, His Kind
Majesty gave the Order with his noble tongue, for the
upkeep of this Mosque, by the benevolence of this King, he
has annulled holding people from this Island (to work for)mosque (endowments), and for carpentering boat houses
and boats (for the Crown); And whosoever came ashoreon the islet named Ellaidhoo that is endowed upon thisMosque, whether he be a man of power, or even if he be
the Atoll Chief of this atoll, they shall not cut even a raw
piece of wood or anything else from the island; and none
shall land on this islet upon the displeasure of any of thesesubjects (of Hangnaameedhoo).

Mueenudeen’s Ari Atoll Armada Raivaru Poem relates that his
armada anchored in Hangnaameedhoo, where the King proceeded toKalaafaan’s tomb and recited the fatiha and offered ceremonial foodand frankincense. And as “customary practice of former days” theKing offered an Umbrella to the Tomb. He then slaughtered goats as
offerings.
The paper grants relating to the Tomb also warn that whoever shows
disrespect to the Tomb or the many coconut plantations belonging toit, shall go to Hell.
and whoever annuls and destroys this Endowment shallenter Hell with the Infidels, they are those who minded toprostrate to idols and attempted to destroy the Ka’ba.

Going forward two centuries, we know that during Sultan Mueenudeen
I’s (1799-1835) Ari Atoll “armada” tour of 1804, his first stop was
Hangnaameedhoo island, to pay respects to Kalaafaan’s Tomb.
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UTEEMU DYNASTY
HUSAIN KHATIB OF UTEEMUALI KHATIB

S. GHAZI MUHAMMAD
BODU TAKURUFAANU(1573-85)

MARIYAM KABAADIKILEGEHASSAN RANNABANDEYRI
KILEGEFAANU

FATIMA RANI KILEGE OF
MAAFILAFUSHI(Died Childless)

VELAELUNAA
TAKURU

S. IBRAHIM III. KALAAFAAN(1585-1609)(See Grant No.1)

QUEEN TUKKAMANA
d.1613?
(See Grant No.3)

TUKKALAAMINAA MAAVAA UMAR MAAFATKILEGEKILEGEALI KOSHARI THAKURU
OF MAAFILAFUSHI

S. MUHAMMADIMAADU-UD-DIN I.
(1621-48)(See Grant No.2)

S. HUSAIN II.
FAAMUDERI KILEGEFAANU
d.1620 (See Grant No.4)

KANBA AISHA RANI KILEGEWIDOW OF KALAAFAAN(See Grant No.4)

S. IBRAHIMISKANDAR I.
(1648-87)(See Grant No.4)

MUHAMMADDOSHIMEYNA
KILEGEFAANU

S. KUDA MUHAMMAD(1687-91)

HASSANRANNABADEYRI
KILEGEFAANUAMINAMANIKESAAMIYA FASHANA KILEGE
MAAFILAFUSHI KING
(See Grant No.4)

HASSAN FASHANAKILEGEFAANU

ALI RANNABANDEYRI
KILEGEFAANU

S. MUHAMMAD
MUHI-UD-DIN(1691-2)

HUSSAINFAAMULADEYRI
KILEGEFAANU

MUHAMMAD
MANIKLIFE AND TIMES OF SULTAN IBRAHIM
III KALAAFAAN (REIGNED 1585-1609)
PYRARD’S ACCOUNTS
Pyrard gives a vivid account of the disposition and temperament of
the King. Here are some excerpts:[on the King’s lineage] “...the king we found there, who was
not of lineage so good,… [his father Mohamed Thakurufan]
had risen from low estate, and there were some always on
the point of revolt; esteeming themselves of better lineage”.
(Pyrard V.1 p. 252)
The deceased king [Ali VI] had a son, who was therightful heir to the throne. “[The King’s father Mohamed
Thakurufan] misliked that such rivals should exist; for theson [King Kalaafaan] was still young, and was never like tobe as valiant as his father;… and had his son acknowledged
for king before his death, causing all his servants andsubjects to swear allegiance to him”. (Pyrard V1. p. 252,
253)
[on the curiosity of the King] “And so his humour turned
out, as I to some extent saw, for he was in nowise inclined
to war, but solely to letters, sciences, and manufactures, andhe was also much given to women, as, indeed, was nothing
remarkable in that land”. (Pyrard V1. p. 252)
“This king never went to war himself, he only dispatched
forces; nor was he valiant like his father, who always wentin person;” (Pyrard V1. p. 256)
[on the King’s punishments] “The usual penalties arebanishment to the desert islands of the south,… mutilationof a member, or the scourge, which is the most common, but
infinitely cruel, … and having “their feet passed throughtwo pieces of wood in which holes were cut, which is theirmode of securing prisoners”; and putting people in chains.
(Pyrard V1. p. 205)24

If the “king entertained some jealousy” towards someone
and if it becomes a threat to his throne, he may resolve to
put him to death, instructing his guards to seize “and boundhim, and then dragging him along the ground, carried him
to a place on the seashore, about a thousand paces off,
where they put him into a boat and slew him, and then casthis body into the sea;” (Pyrard V1. p. 255)
[on the King’s relations with his stepmother] “Sometime
after this king lost his father, he began to ill-treat the wife
that survived him, who was his own stepmother, andwas called Manaye Quilague, and whom his dying father
had especially commended to his care; whereupon, in her
indignation, she was resolved to be avenged”; (Pyrard V1.
p. 255)[on two foreign ships voyaging to Arabia who chose tocast anchor in another island away from Male.] “The two
ships cast anchor and remained there. ...on their arrival
they came [to Male’] to salute the king with presents. The
king liked these casual arrivals much, and received theunfortunate men with the kindest face in the world; but hissmile was a deceit, and was worth nothing in the long run.
(Pyrard V1. p. 281)
For his usual plan was to endeavour to get the vessels tocome to his island, which they never would; and when hefound them to be too strong, he ceased to importune them,fearing to lose their goods and traffic; but when he saw thatthey were weak, he made them come, under one pretext
or another, pretending to be angry with them, so that at
length they fell into his power, if perchance the captain of
the vessel came to die; in short, nothing passed through his
hands without a part sticking to them. … the king was heir
to such as died there, whether they left ship or goods behind
them, wherefore most ships would not go there, or, as soon
as their captain died, they sailed off as soon as possible”.
(Pyrard V1. p. 281)
[on a group of Hollanders shipwrecked in the Maldives]“(They were) unable to pass the Maldives without paying
25

forfeit like ourselves: for one fine night she went upon thereefs of the island and was wrecked. [The Hollanders]remained about two months at Male, after which the kinggave them a barque to take them off. ...[The Hollanders]were accused of having concealed some of the ship’s treasure,
to wit, gold, silver, and precious stones; for he kept them
upwards of a month in prison, beaten and whipped every
day, and bound with their faces to the ground…When, then,
the king saw that he could draw nothing from them, he hadthem doctored and nursed, aid gave them some money toget home withal”. (Pyrard V1. pp. 292 - 293)“[the King’s habit was] to tarry most of his time shut up in
his palace, entertaining his queens, seeing his courtiers, andsuperintending numbers of workmen and artisans, such as
painters, goldsmiths, embroiderers, cutlers, bead-makers,
turners, joiners, armourers, and divers others, whom hekept at his palace, supplying them with materials, andpaying them for their work as it was finished” (Pyrard V1.
p. 224)[on the King’s fishing habit] “the king gives each of thetwelve a heavy silver ring or bracelet, to put on his rightarm, of the weight of a quarter of a pound, and to thecaptain one of gold: these they wear when the king goes tofish. Nevertheless, the king who reigned when I was there
went a-fishing but rarely” (Pyrard V1. p. 189)
[on the King’s religion] “At his palace, the king keeps thePandiare, the Naybes, Khateebs, and Moudins, as well as
the chief lords, gentlemen, and soldiers, or such as he selects
on each occasion to dine at the palace, and after dinner hesits to administer justice … A doctor of the law also follows,
never losing sight of him, reading a book in his presence andadmonishing him of his religion”; (Pyrard V1. p. 134)
[on the judiciary] “If the king wills, he has justice done,
without any other party to the cause; but that happens
rarely”. In a case of adultery of a woman married to oneof the king’s chief officers, during the trial “the king had all
the doors of his palace closed, so that none should enter to26

beg the royal favour towards his wife: thus was equal justicedone”. “And … after the judgment of the Pandiare some will
plead to the king himself, who gives order for justice to bedone and executed, and this by six lords, his chief officers,
who manage the most important affairs of the realm. They
are called Mouscoulis”. (Pyrard V1. p. 199)
“Now, their law and custom obtains that when a king’s
officer or any of his family is a delinquent, before proceedingto justice the Grand Pandiare sends word to the king,asking if it be his pleasure that the process be according tothe ordinary forms. This the king never refuses.” (Pyrard
V1. p. 306)
[on the King as doctor] “...the king always keeps a quantityof drugs, medicines, and recipes of all sorts for the sick, evencharms. The people would go and ask for them, and he waswell enough pleased to do this kindness to all corners; andby this means also to know who were ill, who recovering,
and who dying, and so to provide for the burial of those
who died. It was his wont to do this for the poor and forsuch as were without means, in manner suitable to thedegree of each”. (Pyrard V1. p. 84)[When the King was slain] “They were even at much pains
to get a white cloth for a winding-sheet, and a coffin to put
him in – him who in his lifetime had so lavishly given to all
the poor of his kingdom when they were in need”. (Pyrard
V1. p. 319)

TAJUDEEN’S CHRONICLESThe eminent Maldivian historian and judge Hassan Tajudeen(1661-1727), in his historical chronicles of Maldives written in Arabic
called, Tarikh Deeba Mahal, gives a kinder face to the King.
“He was a sensible, generous King; an awe-inspiring,magnificent, equitable and just Sultan; a learned
scholar…”
27

“He loved to spread Knowledge; and ordered people tolearn the science of Islamic Law; employing such scholars
by awarding them stipends, and loved to distinguish themapart from the rest of the people …”“He used to seek advice from the scholars and the judges onmatters of this world and the hereafter…”“He was abounding with an intelligent mind; clean in
his policies, a valiant and just King, frequently endowing
compassion and respect towards the weak among his
flock…”“He took heed of the affairs of his flock, improving theirconditions, that during his reign they lived a prosperous
life…”“Scholars became prominent in his days; that they werelike the guiding stars; the King’s reign was the Golden Age,
as if the Monarchy was wearing the attire of a bridegroom
embellished with gold and gems…”“In his Reign justice spread across the realm, and the people
were lifted away from the treachery of tyrants…”

WIVES OF KING KALAAFAAN
Pyrard’s memoirs indicate King Kalaafaan espoused at least 6 times
and did not marry the same woman twice. He also said the King
always had “three queens” and chose a Chief Queen among them.
And also that he had a lot of concubines and lovers.
The king soon sent his brother-in-law with a goodly numberof soldiers in barques to go to our wreck and get from it
all he could. This was the brother of the chief queen, andwas entitled Ranabandery Tacourou, his own name being
Mouhamede (Pyrard V.1 p. 58).
Now the king had two nephews, brothers, of whom the elder
28

was married to the richest young lady in all the islands,
the grand-daughter of the governor of the country under
the Portuguese rule. She was also sister to the prince, whocame to our ship, and with whom the king was so annoyedthat he boxed his ears, as I have related above. This lady
was of noble birth, young and beautiful, and so the kingbecame enamoured of her; but the mischief was that her
husband would not leave her, nor she him: for she had no
ambition to be queen, preferring her first condition andliberty. The husband and wife, then, aware of the king’s
intentions, resolved to escape in a barque along with ayounger brother… but while carrying out their plan they
were unluckily surprised at their setting out: the king’s
galleys caught them and brought them back to Male, where
the poor husband was constrained to quit his wife… Before
marrying her, the king was constrained to leave his other
wife, … the king never afterwards abandoned her; andwhen he was killed she was still with him, with two foreign
women; (Pyrard V.1 pp. 263-264).
Some years after the death of his father he became
enamoured of a married woman, the fairest in complexion
and beauty in all the land, and abandoned his first wife,
whom his father had made him espouse, in order to get
this woman, who had three daughters as fair as herself, allmarried to princes and great lords. I have often seen herarm, as she showed it to us out of coquetry, and it was
as white as that of the fairest in our country here. Her
husband was a pilot, the cleverest in the country in his
profession and in trade, and a man of large means. The
king and this woman loved each other much, and he wasminded to marry her, while she daily strove to persuade herhusband to consent to leave her, but he would do nothing;wherefore in her anger she advised the king to put him todeath. This the king for the love of her resolved to do; andhaving sent for him one day to give him some information
about navigation on the country chart, when the mancame, and was making his obeisance, the king gave him ablow with a dagger, intending to plant it in his abdomen,
but the man raised his hand to parry the stroke, and turned
the dagger straight into his eye, which it put out. He was not29otherwise hurt, for I saw him often afterwards. He was anagreeable companion, and he it was who gave me the newsof our mate and comrades who escaped from the island of
Pouladou, having himself seen them chained by the feet. So,
to return to this woman, she got the king to marry her, but,after living together for a while, he fell in love with her who
was the chief queen while we were there, and so got tiredof the other,-who, in truth, was the lewdest woman in theworld, abandoning herself indifferently to all sorts of men,slaves, as well as others. Yet that was not the sole cause why
the king left her. (Pyrard V.1 pp. 262-263).
I have made mention above of Gouradou. I was at that island
one day, and saw the mast and rudder of the ship that waslost there, wherein was the foreign queen who died in childbed while I was about the king… I would tell what, during
the time I was there, befell an honorable, rich, and discreet
merchant of Bengal, called Mouhamede Caca, and his wife,
also a foreigner, and very beautiful and fair-complexioned
for those parts. She was called Canboue Boubou, Canboe
being her personal name in the language of Bengal, andBoubou signifying Mademoiselle. Both were wrecked with
the queen; they were her slaves, and were about thirty yearsof age, and had no children… but no sooner was their kind
mistress dead, in manner already described, than every
kind of misfortune and disaster overtook them (Pyrard V.1
pp. 257-260).

the foreigner from Bengal, who was as fair and white as
the women of this country; and the young one, whom theking had but recently taken, in manner already described,(Pyrard V.1 pp. 315-316).

ON KALAAFAAN MARRYING HIS STEPMOTHER
H.C.P Bell says:
Three of these wives were with him when killed. Documents
give the names of the last two as “Aisha Bibi Kamana”
and “Nasrat Kamana”; the third, a married woman withadult children, was probably “Midu Kanba”, formerly
a wife of his father (S. Muhammad Bodu Takurufanu),
whom the son scandalized the Maldive world by espousing(Bell, p. 28 footnote).
Bell’s deductions seemed to be based on Pyrard’s memoirs, but Pyrard
does not expressly say the King married his stepmother. Bell seems
to suggest the married woman with three daughters whom the King
married was his stepmother.

But to return to the merchant of Bengal, that would nottake back his wife, as related above. He married another
woman, who was thought to be the most lovely in all theislands… Now a second misfortune befell him, for as helived near the royal palace, no sooner did the king set eyeson this wife, than he became violently enamoured of her…
and, three months before the great Maldive disaster, theking took her to wife, (Pyrard V.1 p. 265).
They brought back, too, the three queens in a miserable
plight, and lodged them in the house of the king’s nephew,
adjoining the royal palace… The queens also told me inprivate a great deal about each other, viz., the chief queen,
30

31THE TEN PAPER GRANTS
1. PAPER GRANT RELATING TO THE DEATH OF
KING IBRAHIM III KALAAFAAN (1609AD)
Content: This Grant, written in Dives script, describes the events that
unfolded pertaining to the death of King Kalaafaan. It relates that theKing was chased by fourteen Malabar galleys, and killed by a lancethrown at him by these people. After he was killed the King’s wives
and his chiefmen came to Hangnaameedhoo island – where the slain
king and his abandoned ship was washed ashore – and entombedhim by the Mosque.
Given the Grant was ordered to be written by “all these chiefmen”
instead of a reigning monarch, it can be deduced at least the originalGrant was written following the entombing of the slain King a few
days after he was killed, during which time the succession was inquestion.
Date of Manuscript: This Grant is the oldest manuscript found so far
relating to the death of King Kalaafaan. The Arabic attestation on the
top of the Grant attributes the Grant of having been written “(during)
the legal (days) of Judge Mohamed the son of Hakim Hassan son ofHakim Umar”.
This judge is believed to be Mohamed Fandiyaru Kaleygefan of
Laamu Atoll Fonadhoo, who upon the arrival of Malabar pirates toattack the King “suggested it was better to run and hide than to fight”(Divehi Tarikh p.21).
The Grant says the King was killed on 28th Shawwal 1017 Hijra whichfalls on Wednesday 4 February 1609.
Alternatively this manuscript may have been written anytime“(during) the legal (days) of Judge Mohamed” who was stripped of his
judgeship and sent away by the next king, Hussain II for the cowardly
advice he gave the slain king (Bell, the Maldive Islands: a Report on a
Visit to Malè, 1921). The judge was again reinstated during the reignof Imadudeen I (1621-1648) and remained in the post until his death
during the reign of Ibrahim Iskandar I, (1648-1687).
Measurement: 78.7cm X 31.8cm (Manuscript No. FO-105)
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33

2. IMADUDEEN I GRANT (1628 AD )Content: This nineteenth century Thaana script transliteration of an
original Dives script grant endows the custody of Kalaafaan’s Tomb tothe sole descendants of Don Ali Mukuri Kalo of Hangnaameedhoo,instead of the ten caretakers entrusted with this task in the 1609 grant.
Also in this grant, the islet named Dhidhoo in Ari Atoll is added to
the guild of Kalaafaan’s Tomb.
Date of Manuscript: This Grant is written by His Majesty the
Prosperous, Endowed with Beauty, Possessor of Great Wealth, Of
Illustrious Race, (conversant with) Arts and Sciences, of Unsullied
Fame, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe [Sultan
Imadudeen I 1621-1648]. Although this title was – more or less –copied by all the kings of the nineteenth century, the fact that the
grant refers to Kalaafaan as “our cousin” testifies the reigning kingin question was from the Uteemu Dynasty. Imadudeen I of Uteemu
Dynasty was the first, and the only king from the dynasty, to use thekingly title in question.
A grant of Imadudeen I on the same subject found in the National
Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research states that in the seventh
year of the king (1628 AD) the grandchildren of Ali Mukuri Kalocame before the king to plead with him to grant the guardianship of
the Tomb to them. This grant is of the same period.
The English watermark on the paper on which the Thaana scripttransliteration was written gives its date as 1874.
Measurement: 25.cm X 16.7cm (Manuscript No. R-4)3435

3. QUEEN TUKKAMANA GRANT (1661 AD.)
Content: This Grant gives the name of the Queen– King Kalaafaan’s
cousin Tukkamana – who was one of the contenders to the throne
following the King’s death, childless, in 1609. This Grant is inscribedin the Old Dives script.
According to Bell, “tradition in Malè is unanimous that on the deathof Kalaafaan, that for some time (weeks, months, even up to four
years) Kalhu Kamana [Tukkamana], daughter of Hassan Ranna
Banderi Kilegefanu, uncle of S. Ibrahim III, ruled (at least nominally)
until her death at sea, or at Mahibadu Island (Ari Atoll), when on
pilgrimage to offer the customary annual alms (aharu mati fulakakkan) at Hanna Midu Island (Hangnaameedhoo, in Ari Atoll)
where the slain Sultan Ibrahim had been buried”.
This Grant relates that when this Tukkamana died another “guild”
was established to look after her tomb, the upkeep of which was
entrusted to the Reciters of her cousin King Kalaafaan’s Tomb. The
issue brought to a remedy in the Grant is that by 1661, this guild
was breaking up with people having disputes over Tukkamana’s
inheritance. So once again, her cousin Ibrahim Iskandar I, reigningin 1661, identifies what were Tukkamana’s endowments and who areresponsible for its upkeep.
Date of Manuscript: This Grant is written in the thirteenth year of
the reign of His Majesty the Prosperous, Endowed Rich in Gold, aKshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe, which is one of the titlesof Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, (1648-1687). Therefore it was written
in 1661.
Measurement: 33.0cm X 24.4cm (Manuscript No. FO-36)

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37

4. CHIEF QUEEN KANBA AISHA’SINHERITANCE (1666 AD)
Content: This Grant, written in Dives script, describes the enormous
wealth left by King Kalaafaan’s Chief Queen Kanba Aisha Rani Kilegeof Maafilaafushi Island, on her death in 1666. It relates to a mosque
she co-sponsored to build in Malè along with the two successive
kings she married after the death of Kalaafaan. The Grant describesthat following King Kalaafaan’s death she married Sultan Hussain II
and then Imadudeen I (1621-1648), the father of the reigning kingIbrahim Iskandar I, (1648-1687).
The Grant mentions that there were indeed two kingdoms reigningin Maldives following the death of Kalaafaan. It says in order to buy
the island of Maalhos in Ari Atoll the Queen had to pay 100 larin
to the kingdom in Malè, and another 50 larin to the kingdom in
Maafilaafushi island, where the Queen’s brother reigned. The Queen
was the common factor between the kingdoms, being wife of one
king and sister of the other.
Date of Manuscript: The Grant was written by the Queen’s son King
Ibrahim Iskandar upon the death of the Queen. The inscription on the
Queen’s tomb in Malè Friday Mosque states she died on 9th Shauban
1076 of the Hijra which falls on Sunday 14th February 1666.
Measurement: 148.6cm X 29.5cm (Manuscript No. FO-111)

38

39

5. IBRAHIM ISKANDAR II GRANT (1737 AD)
Content: This is a concessional grant, written in Dives script, given to
people of Hangnaameedhoo Island, for the fact that King Kalaafaan
lay buried in that island. The islanders are exempted from obligatory
labour that all subjects of the realm had to perform every year for thereigning king in Malè. These include building boats for the Crown
in order to take the proceeds of taxation to the King, and othercommunity chores.
One peculiar fact discovered in the Grant was that the nearby resortof Ellaidhoo was endowed to the people of Hangnaameedhoo andthat no one was allowed to land there without permission from theislanders.
Date of Manuscript: This Grant is written in the seventeenth year of
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II, (1720-1750). Therefore it was written in
1737.
Measurement: 38.1cm X 29.2cm (Manuscript No. FO-48)

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41

6. HASSAN NOORDEEN I GRANT (1792 AD)
Content: This grant, written in Thaana script, identifies how thepeople of Kuramati Island, Ari Atoll, had to pay tax, levied in 1609.
The entire island was endowed for the upkeep of King Kalaafaan’s
Tomb. For this reason they petitioned to King Hassan Noordeen I(1779-1799) who gives some concessions.
Accordingly instead of giving their entire Produce Tax, from trees
and other cultivations, to the Reciters of Kalaafaan’s Tomb, they may
keep half of it for the mosque in Kuramati. Also the King orders that
whoever among the islanders cultivates anything in the island, may
keep half of its produce to themselves.
Date of Manuscript: The date given in the grant is the month ofMuharram 1207 A.H, which is August or September 1792 AD.
Measurement: 38.1cm X 24.4cm (Manuscript No. FO-35)

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43

7. GRANT WRITTEN BY ALI MAAFAIY THE SCRIBE
Content: This nineteenth century Thaana script transliteration of an
original Dives script grant affirms that the “Big Plot” in Kandoodhoo
in Thaa Atoll formally entrusted to the Amina Mava Kilege (motherof Imadudeen I) Mosque in Malè and the islet named Dhidhoo in Ari
Atoll are bequeathed to the guild of Kalaafaan’s Tomb.
Date of Manuscript: This Grant is given by His Majesty the Prosperous,
Endowed with Beauty, Possessor of Great Wealth, Of Illustrious Race,(conversant with) Arts and Sciences, of Unsullied Fame, a Kshatriya,
Mighty Monarch of the Universe. Given that this title was – moreor less – copied by many kings of the 18th century and all the kingsof the 19th century, it is difficult to determine the reigning king andtherefore the date of the grant.
In this grant, King Kalaafaan is not referred as “our cousin” andtherefore the grant is post Uteemu Dynasty.
The grant is written by Ali Maafaiy the scribe upon the direction ofBandeyri Ali.
The English watermark on the paper on which the Thaana scripttransliteration was written gives its date as 1874.
Measurement: 22.3cm X 19.7cm (Manuscript No. R-3)

44

45

8. SHAMSUDEEN III GRANT (1930 AD)
Content: Written in the 29th year of the reign of Sultan Mohamed
Shamsudeen III (1893; 1903 – 1934), this Grant says, from previous
grants it was found that the upkeep of King Kalaafaan’s Tomb andTukkamana’s Tomb in Mahibadoo island, were hitherto bestowed on
the male heirs of Ali Mukuri Kalo of Hangnaameedhoo. However, giventhat the caretaker’s descendants are no longer identifiable, and thoseclaiming lineage not being resident in Hangnaameedhoo; the Sultan
has decided to make the whole community of Hangnaameedhoo
caretakers of the tomb. The Grant is written in Thaana script.
Date of Manuscript: The date given in the grant is 23 Jumada AlAkhira 1349 A.H, which is Friday 14 November 1930 AD.
Measurement: 43.7cm X 25.4cm (Manuscript No. FO-112)

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47

9. ABDUL MAJEED DIDI GRANT ( 1930/31 AD)
Content: This is the smallest grant relating to King Kalaafaan’s Tombin the find. The grant is signed by Prime Minister Abdul Majeed Didi.
It is a kind of memo given to the people of Hangnaameedhoo thatthey are entitled an yearly payment of 6000 coconuts, 30 adubai (60bottles) of coconut oil, 18 bundles of coir rope, 200 cadjans, 5 fowls,
for the upkeep of Kalaafaan’s Tomb.
Date of Manuscript: The manuscript is dated 1349 AH which is
1930/1931 AD.
Measurement: 23.4cm X 10.4cm (Manuscript No. FO-74)

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49

10. TENTH GRANT
The tenth grant is a direct transliteration to Thaana script of the main
grant of 1609. The manuscript has not been dated but is believed tobe early 20th century.
Measurement: 42.2cm X 31.8cm (Manuscript No. FO-84)

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51

APPENDIX: TRANSLATIONS
OF THE PAPER GRANTS
1. PAPER GRANT RELATING TO THE DEATH OF
KING IBRAHIM III KALAAFAAN (1609 AD)(Arabic introduction) Praise be to God (…)
This is a legal and genuine waqf as according to the religion of our
Prophet, (for whom we are) thankful;(This is written) in the legal days of Judge Mohamed the son of Judge
Hassan the son of Judge Umar
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Praise be to God
who donates (unreservedly) to the obedient among the Jinn andMankind; (…)
And when the sky is rent asunder and becomes red like [burning]oil (55:37); The parable of those who spend their possessions for thesake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every
ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom
He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing (2:261); Behold, those who
sinfully devour the possessions of orphans but fill their bellies with
fire: for [in the life to come] they will have to endure a blazing flame!
(4:10); Whoever shall come [before God] with a good deed will gain
ten times the like thereof; but whoever shall come with an evil deed
will be requited with no more than the like thereof; and none shall bewronged (6:160)
The Messenger of God said “When a man dies, his acts come to anend, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people)
benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased”).
(End of Arabic introduction)
For the Love bestowed by Us, the Lord, the All-highest Righteous God– who hears even the footsteps of black ants as they pace forth among
anthills on a dark night – having made Mohamed The Messenger
Peace be Upon Him supreme in all things, the noblest among theApostles; having sent him with the Religion of Truth for all Mankind
and Jinni;
52

In the 1017th year since the Prophet’s migration from pre-eminent
Mecca to godly Medina; on the Wednesday 28th of the month of
Shawwal (February 4, 1609); a dozen and two Malabar galleys, having
sailed in hostility against Ibrahim Fashanaa Kilegefaanu, the Warrior,the son of Mohamed Bodu Takurufaanu the Warrior,; having waged
war against this Lord, and this Lord upon being martyred by a lancethrown at him by these people;
Whereupon the two wives who were under this Lord; Lady Aisaa
Bibi and Lady Nusrat; and those Elders who were under this Lord at
the time; Hakuraaveti Kalo and Velavalhunai Kalo and Maabandeyri
Kalo and Koshari Kalo; and all palace guards who were under thefeet of this Lord; these people, having gone to Hangnaameedoo toentomb this lord, and having entombed him; vouchsafed that unless
all agreed to bestow means to build Kalaafaan’s Tomb, it will not bebuilt.
Having thus determined, it was agreed that construction shall be
carried out by those bequeathed to this Lord, to wit: Vaati Alla ofMaakandoodoo, Hassan the son of Manadoo Ali, the Dervishof Landoo and his son, Himandoo Ali the toddy maker, Hikaof Mahibadoo, Ali of Kirandee, Ramudana of Ukulhas, Kaddoo
Moosa and his two sons, Hussain from Diyamigili and all coconut
trees belonging to him, Ali and Umar the sons of Mohamed ofKolhumadulu Kandoodoo, and all coconut and other trees belonging
to them; Umar of Baresdoo and Hassan of Mundoo, Mohamed theson of Marudooruheivaa of Madifushi and his younger brother andall coconut and other trees of the Crown under their watch; andHuvadoo Muhamedey Kalo in Timarafushi, and the two-badhi
toddy-making coconut trees belonging to him, and Huvadoo Umarey
Kalo in Veymandoo, and the two-badhi toddy-making coconut trees
belonging to him, and all toddy belonging to the person of each ofthese toddy makers, and the toddy of all coconut trees under thehands of any of these toddy-makers, and all coconut trees inherited
to this Lord [Kalaafaan] that grew from the seed of those coconut
trees planted by this Lord in Malè-Funadoo;
The entire island named Kuramati of Ariadu Atoll, and all things
belonging to the Crown from this island, the islet named Fenfushi in
Kolhumadulu; the plot of land of seventy two bama [measurement]
to the south of the Land’s End Mosque of Kandoodoo that Lord
53

Kalaafaan bought from Hussain Kalo son of Judge Noordeenof Hanimaadoo, having paid for it from his own possessions in
Kolhumadulu Kandoodoo; and all coconut trees, other trees, bananas
and root cultivations upon the plot,

and his Mauraka Kalo and his son Mohamed Kalo and Mohamed Kalothe son of Ramudan Kalo; these ten people are entrusted to conduct
the tasks mentioned in this Grant according to the aforementioned
way;

Whereas the land plot of the Queen to the north of the plot bought
by Hassan Kaiulhannai Kalo from the people of Kandoodoo, having
paid for it from his own possessions; and the adjacent plot to the west(of the Queen’s plot) belonging to Fashanaa Kalo; and the adjacentplot to the south belonging to Mohamed Kalo; and the adjacent plot
to the east next to the beach; the plot in the midst of all these plotsthat was bestowed on Kalaafaanu by children of Bolivachchah Kevey
Kaiulhannai Kalo; the plot being 64 angulu (1 angulu = 1.125 inches)
192 bama (1 bama = 72 inches) by 48 bama and all coconut trees,
other trees, bananas and root cultivations upon the plot, all these shallbe endowed for the plot of land where this Lord’s tomb is located in
Hangnaameedoo and for the building of the mosque on which thistomb is placed.

Whereas these ten people having been satisfied and having accepted
the arrangement to eat from the proceeds of the toddy of the toddy
makers mentioned in the Grant and other things mentioned in thisGrant; they shall conduct the tasks assigned upon this Lord’s tombas mentioned in this Grant according to the aforementioned way;and even if the aforementioned products were accurately entrusted
to them or even if these products were less than mentioned, thesepeople shall conduct what had been assigned upon them, and if one
among the ten people is unavailable a righteous man from the islandshall be put in his place;

Whoever eats from the proceeds of any of the produce aforementioned
in this Grant, shall pray for the salvation of this Lord every day
having recited Sura Fatiha and Ikhlas and the Two Protection Surasand having supplicated thus shall wipe out if any dust is collected on
the tomb; and on every Friday eve, each one, upon reaching the dayof his turn, having measured a laahi (approximately 1kilo) of rice
shall bring a rice dish to the Mosque where the tomb is laid, and shallfeed it to a Muslim and shall recite the Sura Fatiha; and whosoeveris unable to conduct in this manner at the required time and place,shall conduct the same wherever he may be, having fed (a Muslim)
and recited the Sura Fatiha; and as compensation for the day thisLord was martyred, every year on that day, having prepared a feast
suitable for ten people, and having assembled them and recited the
30 Sections (of the Quran) and fed them, shall pray for the salvationof this Lord;
In order to conduct the tasks mentioned in this Grant in the
aforementioned way, these tasks are entrusted upon Kuda Bandeyri
Kalo the son of Hangnaameedoo Vata Bandeyri Kalo and Mohamed
Kalo the son of Adafi Kalo and Hassan Kalo the son of HiriimaantiKalo, Mohamed Kalo the son of Vata Bandeyri Kalo and Ali Kalo andMohamed the son of Kuda Bandeyri Kalo, Hassan Maaraada Kalo,
54

That these ten people testify that they agree to conduct the tasks
mentioned according to the aforementioned way. Whereupon theEndowment that we all brothers have entrusted for the upkeep ofKalaafaanu Tomb so that the prayer call will not cease to exist in all
the many mosques; so long as the sun and moon follow their orbit,
and whoever annuls and destroys this Endowment shall enter Hellwith the Infidels, they are those who minded to prostrate to idols andattempted to destroy the Ka’ba. And all those Muslims who proceed
according to what is prescribed shall enter Heaven along with theSaints praised by Almighty God.
Whereupon all these chiefmen requesting to issue a grant as according
to the aforementioned way, Rakkau Fandiakkalo wrote thus.
(in Arabic) this paper of writing has been attested by the Khateeb, theJudge Moosa the son of Abdulla
Don Mohamed Kalo of Maafushi son of Umar Khateeb Kalo testifies
that this grant is written according to the aforementioned way,
Ismail Maafahakka Kalo son of Khateeb Hassan testifies that thisgrant is written according to the aforementioned way,
Khateeb Ibrahim Kalo son of Kuda Badeyri Kalo wrote as according
to what is mentioned in the Grant.
55

2. IMADUDEEN I GRANT (1628 AD )His Majesty the Prosperous, Endowed with Beauty, Possessor of Great
Wealth, Of Illustrious Race, (conversant with) Arts and Sciences,of Unsullied Fame, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe(said):We hereby bequeath and bless that all land belonging to the Crownin the island of Hangnaameedoo in Ari Atoll in this emerging andsubmerging Kingdom (ruled by Us), and the islet name Diddooon the eastern side of this atoll, and the Big Plot in Manadoo in
Miladunmadulu that was bought (by ...) from the children of Don
Ahmed Kalo of Hanimaadoo; all these are endowed for the repair of
the Tomb of our cousin Ibrahim Fashana Kilegefaanu the Warrior;
The custody of eating from the proceeds of these (endowments),
for sweeping the Tomb, roofing it with cadjans, to recite the Fatiha
and administer feasts; all these tasks are hereby assigned to the malechildren of Don Ali Mukuri Kalo of Hangnaameedoo;
Whoever is minded to destroy and nullify this (endowment), let him
learn the reckoning of Our Auspicious Feet;
When the Great Monarch of the Universe, A Kshatriya, (born) of
illustrious race, (conversant with) arts and sciences, of unsullied
fame, gave permission that an Edict be written and His Majesty’s Seal
affixed thereto…

3. QUEEN TUKKAMANA GRANT (1661 AD.)In the Thirteenth year of the reign of (His Majesty) the Prosperous,
Endowed Rich in Gold, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe,
was enthroned, all those Reciters bequeathed to the Tomb of Our
cousin, Ibrahim Fashana Kilegefaivaanu, the Warrior; approaching
Our auspicious feet pleaded that the Endowment of Tukkamana thedaughter of Vizier Hassan Rannabadeyri; – (the upkeep of which)
was entrusted to us subjects – so as not to let this Endowment be
56

split into different portions;
And so having listened to this plea; and having acquiesced, We
bestowed a Grant to the same affect as the previous grant; in so doing,
having found evidence and having proven upon it; (it was found)that when this Tukkamana passed away, her surviving husband
Velavalhunai Takuru, the Foreigner, and the son born to this Takuru
from the womb of Tukkamana named Tukkalaa; this father and son,for the salvation of this Lady, granted the Endowment thus:
That the proceeds of the plot of land in Miladunmadulu Manadoo,having seventy two bama on every side, that this Lady bought fromthe children of Judge Noordeen of Hanimadoo, having paid for itfrom her own possessions; and (the proceeds of) Maalifushi Islandin Kolhuendin-madulu; and the land having thirty bama on everyside named Gey-gandu located in Mandoo in Ariadu Atoll, that
this Lady’s cousin Kalaafaan bestowed to her; and all coconut trees
planted on this plot by Hussain of Goidoo; and the island named
Embulhelafushi of Ariadu Atoll that this royal couple bought, fromtheir own possessions, from Maadu of Nilandoo; and all coconut
trees, other trees, bananas and root cultivations upon this plot; andthe islet-orchard named Hiyafushi in the same atoll where coconut
trees on behalf of this Lady were planted; and the Big Orchard, that
she bought from her own possessions, from the children of Koshari
57

Beyaa of Tiladunmati;[in the life to come] they will have to endure a blazing flame! (4:10);

In return for reciting Sura Yasin on the day (of every year) this Lady
passed away, and to have this Lady’s Tomb constructed and have theannual fatiha recited; these proceeds for conducting these tasks havebeen entrusted to the Reciters of Kalaafaan’s Tomb.

The Messenger of God said “When a man dies, his acts come to anend, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people)
benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased”).

And every Tyrant who embezzles any of these proceeds and annuls or
destroys them shall enter Hell with the Infidels; and (Beware) those
who attempt to annul this Grant so vouchsafed under Our Feet, andembezzle any of these proceeds; let them learn the Magnitude of Our
Reckoning;
When the Prosperous, Endowed Rich in Gold, a Kshatriya, Monarchgave permission that an Edict be written and His Majesty’s Seal
affixed thereto, his subject, the Judge Abu Bakr wrote thus;

4. CHIEF QUEEN KANBA AISHA’SINHERITANCE (1666 AD)(Arabic introduction) Praise be to God, the Creator, the Evolver, thePraiseworthy
What is (written) in this public document has been proven to me tobe genuine(I am) the Jurist, the Khateeb, the Judge Mahmood the son of the
Celebrated Judge Mohamed
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Praise be to
God who doubles the Good and conceals the Bad and praise andsalutations to Mohamed, the best of creatures, and to his family andcompanions. He is the one who obliterates unbelief, the master of all
good things.
The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God
is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred
grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; andGod is infinite, all-knowing (2:261); Behold, those who sinfully
devour the possessions of orphans but fill their bellies with fire: for
58(Whereas) according to the Ulema a “recurring charity” (as mentionedby the Prophet) means a waqf.
It is also narrated that `Umar ibn al-Khattab got land in Khaibar; so
he came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be on him, toconsult him about it. He said, O Messenger of God! I have got land in
Khaibar than which I have never obtained more valuable property;
what dost thou advise about it? He said : “If thou likest, make theproperty itself to remain inalienable, and give (the profit from) it incharity.” So `Umar made it a charity on the condition that it shall not
be sold, nor given away as a gift, nor inherited, and made it a charity
among the needy and the relatives and to set free slaves and in theway of God and for the travelers and to entertain guests, there being
no blame on him who managed it if he ate out of it and made (others)
eat, not accumulating wealth thereby.
It is also narrated that the Messenger of God, Mohamed peace andblessings of God be on him, said “Be afraid of God, and be just (insharing property) among your children”.
It is also narrated that he (the Prophet) said “I will not bear witness
to any injustice by one who keeps preferences among his children”(End of Arabic introduction)
I, the Lord, Righteous God. High and Mighty, having sent noble
Mohamed Peace be Upon him, bestowing upon him the Righteous
Quran, sent him to teach the Faith in the fear of God and beliefs in its
tenets to the two bodies Jinni and Mankind;
During the year 1027 (1618 A.D) since the Hijra from pre-eminent
Mecca to holy Medina, (of the Prophet) who destroyed Idol Temples,
built the Ka’ba, and acting with noble humility imparted to the region
a regal distinction;
The Chief Hussain Famuladari Kilegefan (Sultan Hussain II) and the59Queen Kanba Aisha Rani Kilege; this royal couple, having decided to
do charity from their own possessions, having unrestricted right ofdisposal (of these possession) and being in sound mind; this couple,
desiring mercy from the Lord and intersession from the noble
Messenger of God, seeking admission to Paradise, set their hearts tobuild a Mosque;Having started the Mosque, but before the construction was complete,
this Lord having passed away;
And after many days, this Queen having married His Highness theProsperous, Endowed with Beauty, Possessor of Great Wealth, Of
Illustrious Race, (conversant with) Arts and Sciences, of Unsullied
Fame, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe (Sultan
Imadudeen I 1621-1648), and by the toil of this King, in the year
1029 (1620 A.D) since the Hijra, constructed this Mosque, having
installed its four walls and the gate, and dug the wells; and after
having constructed the graveyard (of the Mosque), this King having
passed away;
That the Queen petitioned to the auspicious feet of His Majesty
the Prosperous, Possessor of Great Wealth, Pious, Imparter of
Wisdom, Manifold, Powerful as a Lion, Famed like the Nine Gems,
Accomplished, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe (Sultan
Ibrahim Iskandar I 1648-1687); who was borne by this Queen tothe (deceased) King; and having constructed a bathing tank by the
Cemetery of the Mosque; yet, before bequeathing an endowment to
the Mosque, nor having written an Edict (regarding the mosque); but
having informed the tasks assigned, this Queen theretofore having
gone to the grave;
Deciding to do good for the (deceased) Mother-Queen; this King
Iskandar, and the younger (son) of the three sons of Hussain
Famuladari Kilegefan (Sultan Hussain II), to wit, Vizier Hassan
Fashana Kilegefan, and (his son) Don Mohamed Manik (Sultan
Mohamed Muhiudeen 1691-2); this father and son;And Hassan Rannabandeyri Kilegefan – the son of the eldest among
these lords (of Hussain II) Vizier Mohamed Doshimeyna Kilegefan,
And Amina Manike;60

And Vizier Hussain Famuladari Kilegefan the son of Ali
Rannabandeyri Kilegefan (of Hussain II);
And Mohamed Manik;
These seven lords, all in attendance, having ordained the Khateeb ofpre-eminent Malè, Attorney General Ibrahim Takuru to conduct thetasks assigned;
Wherefore – in order to conduct the tasks as according to the Shari‘a– having asked and sought from the Queen’s children and her slaves
and confidants, the last Testament of the Queen whilst alive; all wereunanimous that:(She willed) that regardless of those children who died before her orsurvived her, the custody of this Mosque is given to all the Queen’s
children and their children; that all her other possessions are thechoice of those children who survived the Queen’s burial;
Having attested this testament, and deciding to follow it; the King
Iskandar said We are a lord who has no children issued to this World;that the custody of a mosque is befitting for those with progeny; andtherefore We ask whether it would be suitable for the Shari‘a, if We
hereby bequeath the custody of this Mosque to Our three uterine
elder brothers and their progeny?
For this request, the Judge Takuru said as a charity given by the Kingto his brothers, that is indeed righteous;
And so, the lords having agreed to this manner, as willed by theMother-Queen, the endowment (for the Mosque) bequeathed fromthe possessions of the Mother-Queen are:
The plot of hundred bama on the road of Small Ali, that this Queenbought, from her own possessions, from the children of Ismail
Famuladeyri Kalo, having bought it from her Beach Palace; andhaving given this plot – of the measurements so mentioned – to the
Reciters of the Mosque of the Mighty King of the Universe Ibrahim
Fashana Kilegefan, the Warrior (Sultan Ibrahim III Kalaafaan); andhaving bought in return the western plot in the Kanbaa block; andbecause on the eastern (side of which) the Mother-Queen had built
61the Beach Palace, by Our (the King) auspicious feet having given theentire plot-area to these Reciters, the plot We (the King) bought andgave in return to the Mother-Queen (is bequeathed to the Mosque’s
endowment);
And going north from this plot; adjacent to the west is the plot of the
Malè Great Mosque; and south to it is the plot of the Warrior Ibrahim
Fashana Kilegefan Mosque (Sultan Ibrahim III Kalaafaan); thehundred bama plot between these two plots, on which this Mosqueis placed, and all things on this plot thereof;That on the plot on which Hassan Rannabandeyri Kilegefan of
Uteemu, the Warrior, had built the palace for his wife Queen Fatima
Rani Kilege of Maafilaafushi Island, for this cause the plot given toher being to wit: to the east 30 bama up to the land of the Great
Mosque, going north twenty bama, to the west thirty-four bama up
to the plot on which Amina Mava Kilege Mosque is placed; to thesouth sixteen bama adjacent to this mosque; the plot in the midst of(all these plots) amounting to three riyan (1 riyan = 27 inches) eight
agoo, a hundred in bama measurement;
Whereas the mentioned Queen Fatima Rani Kilege having passed
away; and her possessions having gone to the Treasury, to wit (aspossessions) of Ibrahim Fashana Kilegefan, the Warrior (Sultan
Ibrahim III Kalaafaan); and this King (Sultan Ibrahim III Kalaafaan)
having dispossessed all he inherited from (the deceased) Queen;bequeathed them under witnesses to this Queen Aisha Rani Kilege
being married to her; therefore this plot, and all things on this plot
thereof;And the plot to the east of the one that the Queen bought from her
Beach Palace from the children of Faqee; (the measurement of thisland being) eighteen bama to the east, from the plot instituted by
Faqee as a Waqf; to the north thirty bama starting from Ken’bualhaa
Road; to the west twenty-five bama starting from the plot under the
Recitership of Badru Doshimeyna Kalo;Now from the south-east corner of this plot the land given as a rubbish
dump from Queen Sanfa Rani Kilege’s Diyaduvva Compound, goingseven bama north into this plot; south of this plot is the rubbish
dump; going nine bama east from the north (boundary); thus the63plot amid these being the palace-block of Queen Sanfa Rani Kilege
daughter of King Haji Mohamed; this being a plot of one hundredand eight bama; and all things in this plot thereof;
Whereupon Yahya Takuru of Nilandoo having become a bondsmanof this Queen, bequeathed under witness, by his consent (to donate)
all his possessions of cultivable land, plantations and members of his
family;Out of these the plot in Galolhu; this being to the east thirty-threebama starting from the road leading to the main road; to the northforty-five bama from the plot under the Recitership of Delhi Queen;
to the west thirty-eight bama starting from the wall of Debeyranin
Mosque. To the south, starting from Fankolhulaa Road to Kolihingaa
Road, the plot named Ban Hinna in the midst of these plots
mentioned; this being a plot of fifty-seven bama and all things in thisplot thereof;In the days when there were kingdoms in two islands of Maldives,having paid hundred larin to His Majesty of Illustrious Race, of
Unsullied Fame, of Illustrious Race, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarchof the Universe, in Male’, and another fifty larin to Haji Saamiyaan
Faashinaa Kilegefaanu, the Warrior, in Maafilaafushi Island,
altogether a hundred and fifty larin; to buy the big island of Maalhos
in Ariyadoo Atoll; the Queen having dispossessed it from the Crown,
and taken it as her own possession.
And the island named Ariadoo in this atoll (Ari Atoll) that this Queenbought – having paid for it from her own Beach Palace – from thechildren of Maafahaiykkalo the Foreigner, and all coconuts, bananas
and other cultivations in this island thereof;
And the island named Maafushi in South Malè Atoll, that this Queenbought from her possessions, from Is Hassan Takuru the Old; and allthings on this island thereof;
Whereas this King having instituted these (mentioned) things as theendowment for the Mosque;
From the proceeds of these things, renovations on the Mosque
shall be made, and its wells cleaned and ladles (for drawing water)
64

placed, and it shall be covered with cadjan roofing, its lamps oiled,the mosque dusted, muezzins appointed who would call for the
prayer five times and supplicate for salvation; And so the custody ofcarrying out these tasks are hereby entrusted to the progeny of thesethree lords (of Sultan Hussain II)
Of the things mentioned, Malhos in Ariadu Atoll and the plot of
Queen Fatima Rani Kilege situated in Maafannu Ward in pre-eminent
Malè are entrusted to the progeny of Vizier Mohamed Doshimeyna
Kilege;Ariadoo and the enclave of Queen Sanfa Rani Kilege the daughter ofKing Haji Mohamed situated also in Maafannu Ward in pre-eminent
Malè, are entrusted to the progeny of Vizier Ali Rannabandeyri
Kilege.
The plot named Ban Hinna in Galolhu Ward in pre-eminent Malè,and the island named Maafushi in the south of this (Malè) atoll are
entrusted to the progeny of Vizier Hassan Fashana Kilege
Having assigned these tasks in this manner, that this Endowment so
instituted shall not be annulled nor neglected so long as the sun andthe moon endure; so long as the prayers are called and supplications
given, and the servants of God prostrate to Him;
Any Muslim who is minded to proceed with this endowment in thismanner, be it King, Chief Queen, Princess, Royal Prince or Royal
Personage, Atoll Nobles or Soldier; fearing God and seeking thepath shown by the Prophet Mohamed, shall attain mercy and enter
Heaven along with the Believers and Muslims;
Any Muslim who is minded to destroy and nullify this endowment,
be he from a King, Chief Queen, Princess, Royal Prince or Royal
Personage, Chief Minister, or Lesser Nobles or Soldier; be he of an
Infidel King, Chief Queen, Princess, any ignorant (barbarian) fromany family, shall enter Hell to be castigated along with the Infidels;
they are those who are minded to burn the Qur’an, destroy the Houseof God, dismantle sacred tombs, and places of worship; they are those
who are minded to slaughter the Heifer, shape idols and worshipthese, distancing themselves from the Lord and the Messenger.

65

When the Great Accomplished, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the
Universe gave permission that an Edict be written accordingly, andHis Majesty’s seal affixed thereto, upon the direction of Bandeyri
Hussain Handeygiri, the Khateeb Ali the Scribe attested and wrote
thus;(in Arabic) this paper of writing has been attested by Vizier Hassan theson of the Chief Hussain, the Grateful
This psalm-like document has been attested by the Chief Hassan theson of Vizier Mohamed, the Renowned
This document (written) by the grace of the Distinguished King is
attested by Vizier Hussain the son of Vizier Ali, the Distinguished(in Dhivehi) This document is attested by Vizier Mohamed Kalo theson of Naseeb Handeygiri Kalo(in Arabic) What is written in this paper document is attested by
the Khateeb, the Judge Mohamed the son of Haji Ali the son of therenowned Judge Mohamed;
This psalm-like document is attested by the Vizier, the Harbour Master
Ibrahim the son of Mohamed, the Renowned;
What is written in this celebrated document is attested by the Vizier
Ibrahim the son of the renowned scholar Jamaludeen
What is (written) in this celebrated recorded paper document is attestedby the Judge Mahmood the son of the Khateeb, the Hafiz Moosa, thereknowned;
What is (written) in this paper document is attested by the Judge Ali
the son of the renowned Hafiz Mohamed;

66

5. IBRAHIM ISKANDAR II GRANT (1737 AD)
In the Seventeenth year of the reign of (His Majesty) Prosperous,
Possessor of Great Wealth, Imparter of Knowledge, a Kshatriya, Sultan
Ibrahim Iskandar, Mighty Monarch of the Universe, was enthroned,
all Subjects of Hangnaameedhoo Island of Ari Atoll, having come tothe feet of this King pleaded;That due to enormity of Crown labour enforced unto our island,
we are unable to restore and upkeep the Mosque. And (the labour)of building boats and other island chores (for the Crown) having
increased, in lieu of previous tradition, they pleaded to lessen suchwork;
Having listened and having assented to the plea, His Kind Majesty
gave the Order with his noble tongue, for the upkeep of this Mosque,by the benevolence of this King, he has annulled holding people fromthis Island (to work for) mosque (endowments), and for carpenteringboat houses and boats (for the Crown);
And whosoever came ashore on the islet named Ellaidhoo thatis endowed upon this Mosque, whether he be a man of power, oreven if he be the Atoll Chief of this atoll, they shall not cut even a
raw piece of wood or anything else from the island; and none shallland on this islet upon the displeasure of any of these subjects (ofHangnaameedhoo). And that the Reciters of the Tomb shall go andbring back Hangnameedhoo islanders in whichever islands they may
be ;And whoever annuls or opposes any of that mentioned in thisGrant bestowed by Our auspicious Feet beware; let them learn the
Magnitude of Our Reckoning;
When the Endowed, Orderly, Possessor of Great Wealth, Imparterof Knowledge, a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe, gave
permission that an Edict be written and His Majesty’s Seal affixed
thereto, his subject, Umar Gadahamaanti wrote thus;67

6. HASSAN NOORDEEN I GRANT (1792 AD)
In the fifteenth year of the reign of (Sultan Hassan Noordeen
Iskandar) the son of Sultan Hassan Izzudeen the Warrior, ... (His
Majesty conversant with) arts and sciences, of unsullied fame, GreatMonarch of the Universe, a Kshatriya – in the month of Muharram,
all subjects of Kuramati having visited the auspicious feet of the King
pleaded:Majesty’s Seal affixed thereto, upon the reciting of (His Majesty’s)
subject, the Chief Treasurer Mohamed Handeygiri, the subject
Hussain the Master, the son of subject Ali Hakuraveti of Fasmandoo
Island wrote thus; year 1207 (1792 AD.)7. GRANT WRITTEN BY ALI MAAFAIY THE SCRIBE
That they have come requesting to clarify the proceedings stipulated
in the Grant by His Majesty Sultan Mohamed Imadudeen andtheretofore to proceed as according to the Grant in relation to thisisland.
This having been requested, and (the King) having agreed, andhaving clarified the proceedings of this island, the (King) stipulated
the following:That in the Grant endowed to the Hangnaameedoo Kalaafaan’s
Tomb Reciters, out of the produce of Fruit Trees of Kuramati Island,(hereafter) half of the proceeds of the Ground Share and the toddyof anyone who draws (toddy) from the coconut trees (among theisland’s Fruit Trees) shall belong to the Kuramati Mosque;(The other) half of the proceeds of the Ground Share shall go to
Kalaafaan’s Tomb (in Hangnameedhoo Island); and out of the shareendowed to the Tomb the larin endowed to the Tomb shall (continue
to be) endowed to it; and out of the Government Share a larin shallalso go to the endowment of this Tomb;
Out of the Machangolhi Palace Share, a larin shall be endowed to theMalè Great Mosque;Out of the Kuramati Mosque Share, a larin shall be endowed to theMalè Great Mosque;And whosoever plants a coconut tree, other tree, banana or otherroot cultivations (in the island) shall receive half of their proceeds;
When (His Majesty) a Kshatriya, Mighty Monarch of the Universe,gave permission that an Edict (accordingly) be written and His
68

The Great Monarch of the Universe, a Kshatriya, (endowed with)beauty, possessed of great (weight of) prosperity, who imparts
wisdom, (born) of illustrious race, (conversant with) arts andsciences, of unsullied fame, said:
The Reciters of the Tomb of the Great Kilegefan Ibrahim the Warrior,having come to our auspicious feet, beseeched:That the endowments to the Tomb having decreased there is naught
for the repair and upkeep of the Tomb; and therefore to look into thematter and bless (them) with something to sustain (the Tomb);
Whereas, when these people pleaded thus, as customary practiceof former days, having brought out the Farivalhu (bondibaiy - rice
pudding) from the Tomb and having partaken of it;(We) endowed and blessed the Tomb, for all its repairs, with the plot
the Great Kilegefan bought from his own possessions, named “theBig Plot” in Kandoodoo in Kolhumadulu that was (previously) in thecare of Mava Kilege; and islet named Diddoo to the east of Ariadu in
Ariadu Atoll;That this shall be hereafter prescribed as such; that whosoever, be hea King, or leader or any other person, shall not divert; be it this Plotor this Islet or any other thing under the recitership of this Tomb, to
any other direction;
Whoever is minded to destroy or challenge any of what is assignedby this Grant given by Our Auspicious Feet, let him learn Our
reckoning;69

When the Great Monarch of the Universe, A Kshatriya, (born) of
illustrious race, (conversant with) arts and sciences, of unsullied
fame, gave permission that an Edict be written and His Majesty’s Seal
affixed thereto, upon the dictation of the subject Bandeyri Ali, thesubject Ali Maafaiy wrote thus.

Dhiddoo and the island named Kandoo-gandu [Ellaidhoo] in Ari
Atoll; Maalifushi in Kolhumadulu (atoll); all proceeds of the Ground
Share of Hangnaameedhoo fruit trees; an orchard measuring 30 bamain Mandoo of Ari Atoll; Bulhalafushi and Hiyafushi in Ari Atoll;
Whereas it was found that previous kings had granted the custodyof these endowments to the male heirs of Ali Mukuri Kalo of
Hangnaameedhoo;

8.SHAMSUDEEN III GRANT (1930 AD)
He (God) is Self-Sufficient
In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful; Praise be to God,
the Most High, the Supreme. And peace and salutations be upon our
Master Mohamed and to his family and his companions.
(Whereas) in the twenty-ninth year of the reign of the Sultan
Mohamed Shamusdeen Iskandar – Great Monarch of the Universe,a Kshatriya, (endowed with) beauty, possessed of great (weightof) prosperity, who imparts wisdom, (born) of illustrious race,(resembling) the Sun and Moon, (conversant with) arts and sciences,of unsullied fame, son of Sultan Ibrahim Noordeen Iskandar thedeceased, (His Majesty), seated upon the Throne, vouchsafed (thefollowing pronouncement);
Given that Sultan Ibrahim the Warrior, the son of Sultan Mohamedof Uteemu the Warrior, is buried in the island of Hangnaameedhooin this emerging and submerging Kingdom ruled by Us; and whereas
this King’s Tomb and the Mosque in which the Tomb is placed, having
met with disrepair and ruin;
Having brought the Grants endowed to this Mosque and the Tombby previous kings (it was found that):
For the Tomb, the Mosque and the Tomb of Tukkamana the daughterof Hassan Rannabandeyri Kilegefan the Warrior who is buried in Ari
Atoll Mahibadoo; those acknowledged as endowments to these threebeneficiaries are as follows:70

Nonetheless, given that this lineage (of custodians) is by now confused;and given also that those who claim to be descendants of this lineage
are no longer resident in the island; and therefore the upkeep ofthese places being difficult to maintain and (thus) fall into neglect;
it was decided that all the aforementioned endowments are hereafter
granted to the guardianship of all the people of Hangnaameedhoo;
Whereas these people (custodians) having been satisfied and having
accepted (the arrangement); from the proceeds of the endowments
they shall take care of the Mosque and repair it and shall also repair
and take care of this Tomb and the Tomb of Tukkamana in Mahibadoo;shall offer prayers to these two tombs on their anniversary days; shallrecite Sura Yaseen on the Five Auspicious Days; shall recite the fatiha
on every Friday-eve; all these tasks shall be accomplished without
fail;That those appointed as Keepers of the Tomb – by any given kingenthroned on the Throne in pre-eminent Malè at any given time –shall remain in their appointments; that the Keeper shall receive theFish Share of the Tomb and a third of all things dedicated (to theTomb) as fulfilment of vows;Out of dedications of vows the remaining one-third shall go to thepeople of the island and one-third to the poor;
If the Keeper requests help for a task relating to the Tomb, the peopleof the island shall assist them.
That this Endowment so instituted by Our auspicious feet shall not beannulled nor neglected so long as the sun and the moon and the stars
endure; so long as the prayers are called and supplications given; andwhosoever attempts to challenge against what is prescribed in the71Grant shall be a sinner the same as any tyrant who destroys (God’s)
endowments and shall encounter His wrath in this world and thehereafter; such will also learn the Magnitude of Our Reckoning;
Having assigned these tasks in this manner, when the Great Monarchof the Universe, A Kshatriya, (born) of illustrious race, (resembling)
the Sun and Moon, (conversant with) arts and sciences, of unsullied
fame, gave permission that an Edict be written and His Majesty’s Seal
affixed thereto, his subject, Moosa Malim the Scribe of Pre-Eminent
Malè the son of subject Hassan of Hura wrote thus;
Composed on the Twenty-Third Day of the Month of Jumad al-Thani
1349 (14 November 1930) of the Hijra of our Master Mohamed peace
be upon him.

LIST OF IMAGES
Page 10 (Eng. section) & page 8 (Dhivehi section): Wooden tablet
found in the mosque in Hangnamedhoo inscribed in Arabic. Date of
inscription unknown.
Page 16 (Eng. section): One of the pillars in Hangnameedhoo
Mosque. This could be part of the ship on which Kalaafaan waswashed ashore.
Page 21 (Eng. section) & page 16 (Dhivehi section): Kalaafaan Tomb
and Mosque in Hangnameedhoo.
Page 44 (Eng. section): Picture of Prime Minister Abdul Majeed
Didi
Page 53 (Dhivehi section): Sultan Mohamed Shamsudeen III

9. ABDUL MAJEED DIDI GRANT (1930/31 AD)
In the thirtieth year of King Shamsudeen III, this is a document given
to the hand of Hangnamedhoo islanders as a reminder that by adventof every month of Shawwal, the yearly payment of six thousand
coconuts, thirty adubai of coconut oil, eighteen bundles of coir rope,
two hundred pieces of cadjans and five fowls, shall be paid in full,year to year, to be consumed by the people of Hangnameedhoo –who are the custodians of Kalaafaan’s Tomb;

Page 52 (Eng. section) & page 64 (Dhivehi section): Tomb of Ibrahim
Iskandar I in Malè Friday Mosque. It was left to this king of the
Uteemu Dynasty to consolidate the remnants of the civil war fought
among members of his family four decades before his reign, following
the death of Kalaafaan in 1609.
Page 56 (Eng. section) & page 72 (Dhivehi section): Tomb of Chief
Queen Kanba Aisha in Malè Friday Mosque. Pyrard calls her “therichest lady in all the islands”.

That the people of Dhiddoo is hereby subscribed all the coconut trees
and other trees that belong to the Ground Share of the fruit treesof the island, together with half of the fish belonging to the Island(Crown) Share;
This is a reminder that the above shall be hereafter prescribed as
such;Year 1349 (1930/31 AD)
Abdul Majeed Didi

72

73

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Adamec, Ludwig W., The A to Z of Islam, The Scarecrow Press,
Maryland and Oxford, 2002.
Ali Fulhu, Yoosuf, Bandeyri Hassan Manikufaanu Heddevi Divehi
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