The Martyrdom of Kalaafaanu

An artist's illustration of the battle in which Sultan Ibrahim III (Kalaafaanu) was martyred. Kalaafaanu was martyred in a naval engagement between the Malabars and the Maldivians. After the death of Kalaafaanu, the Malabars abandoned the caravel and alighted at Male', tortured those they found in the Palace and kidnapped Kalhuthuhkalaa and departed to Cananore

Sultan Ibrahim III (Kalaafaanu) was the son of Sultan Ghazee Muhammed Thakurufaanu Al Auzam. He ascended the throne in the year 993 AH (1585 AD). The famous French traveler, Francois Pyrard de Laval, arrived in the Maldives with his ship "Corbin" in the year 1602 AD, during the reign of Kalaafaanu. The writings of Pyrard relate a number of stories and events in the Maldives during that time. Historical writings show that Kalaafaanu was martyred during an attack by the Malabars in 1609 AD (1017 AH). The battle took place at sea. After the Sultan was killed, the Malabars looted the palace at Malé, tortured members of the royal family, and kidnapped Kalhuthukkala and took him to Cananore. Kalhuthukkala was the great grandson of Kalaafaanu's uncle, Ali Thakurufaanu, and his father was Umar Maafaiy Kilege. Kalhuthukkala remained a captive of Ali Raja in Cananore for a long time and returned to Malé upon his release. After Kalaafaanu, the next ruler was Sultan Hussain Faamuladheyri Kilegefaanu who was the son of Madifushi Umar Olhigina. The new Sultan reigned for 11 years and 5 months and, upon his death, was succeeded by Kalhuthukkala who ruled as Sultan Muhammed Imaduddhin I. Kalhuthukkala was also known as Bodu Rasgefaanu and Shujaaee Muhammed Imaduddhin. He came to the throne in 1029 AH (1620 AD) Bodu Rasgefaanu married Kanbaa Aisha Rani Kilegefaanu who was the widow of Kalaafaanu. Sultan Hussain Faamuladheyri Kilegefaanu, who had succeeded Kalaafaanu, had also married her. She bore a son, Ibrahim to Bodu Rasgefaanu, who later became Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar. Bodu Rasgefaanu reconstructed the palace which had been destroyed, constructed walls with gun turrets around its perimeter and dug a moat outside the walls and strengthened the defences of the palace. During the fifth year of the reign of Bodu Rasgefaanu, a number of Portuguese caravels came to attack the Maldives. The Sultan assembled all the ministers, senior officials and his troops and made them pledge an oath to fight to the end. At that time there were no city walls or forts or citadels in Malé. There were only five cannons in Malé. However, under the direction of Bodu Rasgefaanu, Maldivians defeated the Portuguese through strategic use of the five cannons. The fleeing Portuguese set ablaze the mosque at Vilingili. The event took place in 1034 AH (1624 AD).

The construction of fortifications, watchtowers and city walls in Male'. The photo shows Bodu Buruzu and Kotte, one of the many forts and towers that were erected around Male'. Upon ascension to the throne, Kalhuthuhkalaa adopted the name Sultan Muhammed Imaduddin. He was popularly known as Bodu Rasgefaanu. He built fortifications and city walls in order to strengthen the defences of Male' and also constructed revetments around the island.

Following that experience, the defences of Malé were strengthened. Fortifications were built near the palace as well as at strategic locations around Malé. Walls with gun turrets were built between the forts, which also had gun emplacements. Thus, Malé could be defended against an attack from any direction. Revetments were built around the island and outlets for ships to ply in and out of Malé were made. After reorganising administration, the Sultan dispatched a mission to Aceh to secure cannons as Malé was under-armed. The ship to Aceh came back with 14 bronze cannons. Around the same time, Maldivians were able to salvage weapons from ships that had been wrecked and abandoned in Maldivian waters. During Bodu Rasgefaanu's reign, his wife's brother, Saamiya Faashana Kilege made an abortive attempt to set up a kingdom at Maafilaafushi. Bodu Rasgefaanu reigned for 29 years and was succeeded upon death by his son, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar.

The journey to Aceh to procure guns. When Bodu Rasgefaanu ascended the throne, there were only five canons in Male'. Bronze canons were purchased from Aceh to increase the firepower at Male'. The map shows the province of Aceh on Sumatra.