Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Maldives Comes Under British Protection
From the early 19th century AD, Ceylon or Sri Lanka was under British colonial rule. As was the case when the Dutch ruled Ceylon, Maldivians sought their protection and paid tribute to them. However, this was a practice that had evolved without any formal agreement.
Due to a series of domestic disturbances, the British feared that the Maldives might seek the protection of another foreign benefactor. Therefore, they wanted to enter into a formal agreement that satisfied their main concerns. It would not have been in the interest of the British for the Maldives to seek the assistance of, or to enter into any interaction with, any other foreign party. The British feared that their dominance of the region might be affected if the Maldives succumbed to any foreign influence other than their own. Therefore, they required a formal agreement with the Sultan. Although the British had pledged not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Maldives, they wanted to monitor various internal developments and disturbances. They also wanted to be in a position that would necessitate their approval before any change of leadership took place in the Maldives.
The biggest problem confronting the Government in Malé at that time was the debt owed to the Borah merchants. A lot of negotiations were held with the British on this subject during the first reign of Sultan Nooraddin and even later. At the same time, there were a lot of disturbances in Malé as well, including a number of arson attacks. Some of the leading nobles at Malé were suspected of instigating these attacks. Among those who suffered losses in these attacks were some Borah merchants in Malé.
Borah merchants in Malé were imperial subjects of Britain, as India was part of the British Empire, and thus, they were entitled to British protection. In view of all these considerations, the British concluded that it would be expedient to enter into a formal agreement with the Maldives. After the agreement was drafted as instructed by the Imperial Government of Ceylon, it was signed at Malé on 16 December 1887 (30 Rabeeul awwal 1305). On behalf of the Maldives, the agreement was signed by Sultan Muhammed Mueenuddin II. On behalf of Queen Victoria, the agreement was signed by the British Governor in Ceylon, Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon. This agreement was concluded through an exchange of formal documents between the Sultan in Malé' and the British Governor in Colombo.
Under the agreement, the Maldives was compelled to recognise British sovereignty over the Maldives. The Sultan also abdicated all rights to enter into any relations with a third country, except through the Imperial Government in Ceylon. The British Government undertook to protect the Maldives against any external attack and pledged non-interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives. Letters were exchanged annually at which time the Maldives paid tribute to the Imperial Government in Ceylon. The payment of tribute was stopped under the terms of a new treaty that was signed between the British Government and the Government of Maldives on 24 April 1948 (14 Jumaadil aakhir 1367). On behalf of the Maldives, the agreement was signed by Amir Ibrahim Faamuladeyri Kilegefaan and Amir Muhammed Amin, as members of the Regency Council. On behalf of the British Government, the agreement was signed by the British High Commissioner in Ceylon, Sir Walter Henkinson.
A scene from Colombo of the ceremony for the payment of tribute from the Government of the Maldives to the British Imperial Government in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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