Maldives was turned into a Sultanate in 1153 when the Buddhist King Dhovemi converted to Islam. Prior to that the Maldives was a Buddhist Kingdom, a Hindu Kingdom and before that a matriarchal society with each atoll ruled by a chief queen according to some accounts or by others, several theocratic societies ruled by priests known as Sawamias of heliolatric, selenolatric and astrolatric religions. All the rulers before King Koimala only ruled over parts of the Maldives or Deeva Maari (and Dheeva Mahal) as it was known then. Koimala was the first king to rule over all the islands of the Maldives as we know today and the island of Maliku.
The formal title of the Sultan up to 1965 was, Sultan of Land and Sea, Lord of the twelve-thousand islands and Sultan of the Maldives which came with the style Highness. After independence in 1965 the Sultan assumed the title King with the style Majesty. This style was used until 1968, when the Maldives became a republic for the second time. The main official Royal residence of the Sultan was the Etherekoilu, a palace in Malé.
The reigns of Sultans are from three sources. Taarikh (also known as the Tarikh lslam Diba Mahal) by Maldivian chronicler Hasan Taj Al-Din (died in 1727) written in Arabic which covers 670 years of Maldives history, the loamaafaanu copper plates and the third source called Raadhavalhi which was written in 1757 using both Dhives Akuru and Thaana.
The 7 dynasties of Maldives1. Theemugu dynasty2. Umaru veeru dynasty3. Hilai dynasty4. Utheem dynasty5. Isdhoo dynasty6. Dhiyamili dynasty7. Hura dynasty
See main article: Theemuge dynasty.
| width=20% | Name | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Soodasarunaditya | ~4th cent. BCE | unknown | Exiled prince and son of King Sri Brahmaditya of the Kalinga kingdom of India.[1] Founder of the kingdom of Dheeva Mari | ||||
| Unknown number of rulers | The Mapanansa, the copper plates on which the history of the Kings of Solar Dynasty was written were lost quite early on.A 4th century notice written by Ammianus Marcellinus (362 CE) speaks of gifts sent to the Roman emperor Julian by a deputation from the nation of "Divi". The name "Divi" is very similar to "Dheyvi" who were the first settlers of Maldives.[2] | ||||||
| Srimati Damahara | mid-tenth cent. | mid-tenth cent. | She is also spelled as Damahaar.[3] Last ruler of the Solar Dynasty. It is unclear from the records how many other rulers ruled between the reigns of King Sri Srudasarunaditya and Queen Damahara. Married Prince Sri Baladitya from the Kalinga kingdom who later became the first king of the Lunar Dynasty. Al-Jawaliqi, writing in 1135 CE looking at earlier records,[4] describes a queen of Maldives named "Danhara" ruling on an island called "Abannba".[5] |
| width=20% | Name | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Baladitya | around 990 | unknown | Prince from Kalinga kingdom of India. Married Queen Damahara of the Solar dynasty to become the ruler of Dheeva Maari. Early during his reign King Rajaraja I of Chola captured the northern atolls Minicoy and Thiladhummathi. Although some sources indicate the start of the reign as when Rajaraja I invaded Maldives, a Chinese document from the Tang dynasty, records the visits of people from Mo-lai (Maldives) to China bringing with them gifts from their king, Che-p'o-lo-ti-to (Sri Balāditya) in 658 CE and also in 662 CE. The king mentioned must have been a king of the Solar dynasty. | ||||
| Sri Laukabarana | 11th cent. | 11th cent. | King of the Lunar dynasty. He is son or grandson of Queen Damahara. His name is alternatively written as Sri Loaka Abaaruna. | ||||
| Sri Maha Sandura | ~11th cent. | unknown | Son of King Laukabarana. He had a daughter Princess Kamanhaar (also known as Kamanaar or Rehendihaar), who was banished to the island then called Is-Midu (Addu Meedhoo today). With her she took the Mapanansa, the copper plates in which the history of the kings of Solar dynasty was written. The Mapanansa were later buried by a certain Al-Muhaddith Hassan, and this is why such little information survived about the Solar dynasty. | ||||
| Sri Bovana Ananda | unknown | before 1117 | Son of King Laukabarana and brother of King Maha Sandura. He is the father of King Koimala. |
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| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Mahaabarana Adeettiya (Koimala) | Suvasthi Shri Theemuge Rasfireyru Mini Abaaruna Mahaaradhun[7] | 24 years | 1117 | 1141 | The first king to rule over the whole of Maldives. | ||||
| King Dhovemi Later Sultan Muhammad al-Adil[8] | Siri Bavanditta Maha Radun | 24 years | 1141 | 1165 | Reigned as a Buddhist until 1153. Son of Henevi Maava Kilege, sister of Koimala. A member of the Soma or Homa (Lunar) dynasty. Converted to Islam in 1153, assumed the title Sultan and founded the Theemuge dynasty. He was the famous Dharumavantha Radun or the Benevolent King. | ||||
| Sultan Muthey | Bavana Abaruna Maha Radun | 19 years | 1165 | 1184 | Mother's sister's son of Dhovemi | ||||
| Sultan Ali b. Reke Hiriya | Dammara-nanda Maha Radun | 8 years | 1184 | 1192 | |||||
| Sultan Dinei | Fanaditta Maha Radun | 6 years | 1192 | 1198 | The Lōmāfānu was written during Sultan Dhinei's reign. | ||||
| Sultan Dihei | Dagata Abaruna Maha Radun | 15 years | 1198 | 1213 | Brother of Sultan Dhinei I | ||||
| Sultan Wadi | Dagata Suvara Maha Radun | 19 years | 1213 | 1232 | Brother of Sultans Dhinei I and Dhinei II | ||||
| Sultan Valla Dio[9] | Rada-rada Suvara Maha Radun | 25 years | 1232 | 1257 | Brother of Sultans Dhinei I, Dhinei II and Wadi | ||||
| Sultan Hudei | Vira Abaruna Maha Radun | 6 years | 1257 | 1263 | |||||
| Sultan Aima | Loka Suvara Maha Radun | 2 years | 1263 | 1265 | |||||
| Sultan Hiley (Ali) | Sinja Abaruna Maha Radun | 2 years | 1265 | 1267 | |||||
| Sultan Kalaminja b. Aydage | Madini Survara Maha Radun | 1 year | 1267 | 1268 | |||||
| Sultan Uda (Auda) | Arida Suvara Maha Radun | 9 years | 1268 | 1277 | Son of Sultan Wadi | ||||
| Sultan Ali II | Arida Suvara Maha Radun | 10 years | 1277 | 1287 | Son of Sultan Audha | ||||
| Sultan Yoosuf | Bavana Aditta Maha Radun | 6 years | 1287 | 1293 | Brother of Sultan Hali II | ||||
| Sultan Salah al-Din b. Yusuf | Some Sivara Maha Radun | 8 years | 1293 | 1301 | Son of Sultan Yoosuf I | ||||
| Sultan Da'ud b. Yusuf | Sundura Bavana Maha Radun | 5 years | 1301 | 1306 | Son of Sultan Yoosuf I | ||||
| Sultan Umar Vira (Abu Fath Jalal al-Din) | Loka Abaruna Maha Radun | 34 years | 1306 | 1340 | Son of Sultan Salis | ||||
| Sultan Shihab al-Din Ahmad | Loka Aditta Maha Radun | 7 years | 1340 | 1347Deposed and assassinated | Son of Sultan Omar I, deposed, banished and assassinated by sister Khadijah.[10] | ||||
| Sultana Rehindi Kabadi Kilege (Khadija) | Rada Abaruna Maha Radun | 15 years | 1347 | 1362Deposed | Deposed by her first husband Mohamed el-Jameel. | ||||
| Sultan Mohamed el-Jamil | Bavana Suja Maha Radun | 1 year | 1362 | 1363Deposed and assassinated | First Husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by estranged wife Khadijah. He was nicknamed Handsome Mohamed. | ||||
| Sultana Rehendi (Khadijah) | Rada Abaruna Maha Radun | 10 years | 1363 | 1373Deposed | Second reign on assassination of first husband Sultan Mohamed el-Jameel. Deposed for a second time by her second husband Abdullah. | ||||
| Sultan Abdullah Kilege | Dammaru Aaditta Maha Radun | 3 years | 1373 | 1376Deposed and assassinated | Second husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by wife Khadijah. | ||||
| Sultana Rehendi (Khadijah) | Rada Abaruna Maha Radun | 3 years | 1376 | 1379 | Third reign | ||||
| Sultana Radafati (Adafate) Kabadi Kilege | Soma Aburana Maha Radun | 1 year | 1379 | 1380Deposed | Daughter of Sultan Omar I, half sister of Sultana Khadijah. Deposed by husband Mohamed. | ||||
| Sultan Mohamed I | Sundura Abaruna Maha Radun | 4 years | 1380 | 1384 | Husband of Sultana Raadhafathi. Son of Kaeumani Kaulhanna Kilege. He is from the island of Maakurathu in Raa Atoll hence he is also known as Maakurathu Mohamed Rasgefaan. | ||||
| Sultana Da'inu Kabadi Kilege | Natta Abaruna Maha Radun | 3 years | 1385 | 1388Deposed | Daughter of Sultan Mohamed I. Deposed by husband Abdullah. | ||||
| Sultan Abdullah | Soma Abaruna Maha Radun | less than 1 year | 1388 | 1388 | Husband of Sultana Dhaain. Some records call him a regent (Henevi-rasge). | ||||
| Sultan Uthman al-Fahandavi | Sundura Aditta Maha Radun | less than 1 year | 1388 | 1388 | Sultan Usman IFormer Imam to Raadhafathi and DhaainLast of the Lunar dynasty. Grave found in Thaa Atoll, Guraidhoo by H.C.P Bells expedition.[11] |
See main article: Hilaalee dynasty.
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| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Hasan I | Bavana | 10 years | 1388 | 1398 | First of the Hilaaly dynastySon of Golhaavahi Kambulo (Kalavahi Kabulo) and Kulhiveri Hilaalu Kaeulhanna Kaloge son of Muslim Abbas of Hulhule | ||||
| Sultan Ibrahim I | Dhammaru Veeru | less than 1 year | 1398 | 1398Deposed | Son of Sultan Hassan IDeposed by his uncle Hussain. | ||||
| Sultan Husayn I | Loka Veeru | 11 years | 1398 | 1409 | Brother of Sultan Hassan IAssumed the throne after deposing his nephew Sultan Ibrahim I. | ||||
| Sultan Nasir al-Din al-Gulavihi | Veeru Abaarana | 2 years | 1409 | 1411 | Introduced the Islamic penal code. Possibly a member of the Lunar dynasty | ||||
| Sultan Hasan Hilali | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | less than 1 year | 1411 | 1411Accidental death | Sultan Hassan II. Drowned in a tank.Grave found in Thaa Atoll, Guraidhoo by H.C.P Bells expedition. | ||||
| Sultan Isa | Bavana Sundhura | less than 1 year | 1411 | 1411 | Brother of Sultan Hassan II | ||||
| Sultan Ibrahim I | Dhammaru Veeru | 10 years | 1411 | 1421 | Second reign, first reigned in 1398. | ||||
| Sultan Uthman II | Dhammaru Loaka | less than 1 year | 1421 | 1421 | Son of Sultan Osman I | ||||
| Sultan Muhammad | Raadha Bavana | less than 1 year | 1421 | 1421 | Uncle of Sultans Hassan I and Hussain IPrime Minister to Osman I | ||||
| Sultan Yusuf II | Loka Aananadha | 22 years | 1421 | 1443 | |||||
| Sultan Abu Bakr I | Bavana Sooja | less than 1 year | 1443 | 1443Killed in battle | Son of Sultan Hassan IHalf brother of Sultan Yoosuf IIKilled in battle with the Portuguese who came to summon the Council of Ministers of the Maldives to Cochin. | ||||
| Sultan Hasan III | Raadha Veeru | 24 years | 1443 | 1467 | Son of Sultan Aboobakuru I Deposed by Sayyid Mohamed while abroad. | ||||
| Sultan al-Sayyid Muhammad | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | less than 1 year | 1467 | 1467Deposed | Possible descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Deposed by Sultan Hassan III upon returning to Maldives. | ||||
| Sultan Hasan III | Raadha Veeru | 1 year | 1467 | 1468 | Second reign | ||||
| Sultan Muhammadh II | Bavana Abaarana | 12 years | 1468 | 1480 | Son of Sultan Hasan III | ||||
| Sultan Hasan IV | Raadha Loka | less than 1 year | 1480 | 1480Deposed | Son of Sultan Mohamed IIDeposed by Omar II. | ||||
| Sultan Umar II | Loka Sundhura | 4 years | 1480 | 1484 | |||||
| Sultan Hasan V | Raadha Aanandha | 1 year | 1484 | 1485 | |||||
| Sultan Hasan IV | Raadha Loka | 6 years | 1485 | 1491 | Second reign | ||||
| Sultan al-Shaykh Hasan VI | Raadha Fanaveeru | 1 year | 1491 | 1492 | |||||
| Sultan Ibrahim II | Bavana Furasuddha | less than 1 year | 1492 | 1492 | |||||
| Sultan Kalu Muhammad[12] | Dhammaru Bavana | less than 1 year | 1492 | 1492Deposed | Son of Sultan Omar IIDeposed by his brother Yoosuf. | ||||
| Sultan Yusuf III | Veeru Aanandha | 1 year | 1492 | 1493 | |||||
| Sultan Ali II | Audha Veeru | 2 years | 1493 | 1495 | |||||
| Sultan Kalu Muhammad | Dhammaru Bavana | 15 years | 1495 | 1510Deposed | Second reign Son of Sultan Omar II Deposed for a second time, this time by his nephew Hassan. | ||||
| Sultan Hasan VII | Singa Veeeru | 1 year | 1510 | 1511 | Son of Sultan Yoosuf III | ||||
| Sultan al-Sharif Ahmad al-Makki | Suddha Bavana | 2 years | 1511 | 1513 | An Arab from Mecca Possible descendant of Muhammad | ||||
| Sultan Ali III | Aanandha | less than 1 year | 1513 | 1513Killed | Killed in a duel with his sister Burecca (Buraki Raani).Grandson of Sultan Aboobakuru ISon of Mohamed Farhana Kalo and Recca daughter of Aboobakuru I | ||||
| Sultan Kalu Muhammad | Dhammaru Bavana | 16 years | 1513 | 1529 | Third accession assisted by his wife Queen Burecca who killed her brother Ali III. | ||||
| Sultan Hasan al-Shirazi VIII | Ran Mani Loka | 20 years | 1529 | 1549 | Son of Sultan Kalu Mohamed and Fatuma Dio a concubine from Shiraz in Persia | ||||
| Sultan Muhammad III | Singa Bavana | 2 years | 1549 | 1551Assassinated | Assassinated by his brother Hassan who succeeded him. Son of Golhavahi Aysha Rani Kilege and Omar Maafaiy Kilege son of Kalu Mohamed and Aysha Rani Kilege daughter of Korari Kilege therefore grandson of Sultan Kalu Mohamed | ||||
| Sultan Hasan IX | Dhirukusa Loka | 1 year | 1551 | 1552Deposed | Brother of Mohamed III He was the first Maldivian and only member of its royalty to renounce Islam and convert to Christianity. He was deposed upon conversion, and known subsequently by the Lusitanian name of Dom Manoel. | ||||
| Interregnum | 2 years | 1552 | 1554 | Maldives ruled by a Council of Ministers. | |||||
| Sultan Abu Bakr II | Asaalees Loka | 3 years | 1554 | 1557 | Son of Ibrahim Faarhana Kilege and Sanfa Dio Former Prime Minister to Dom Manoel | ||||
| Sultan Ali IV (Ali Rasgefaan) | Audha Siyaaka Katthiri | 1 year | 1557 | 1558Killed in battle | Popularly known as Ali Rasgefaan He was killed in battle.[13] Son of Prime Minister Abdur Rahman Dorhimeyna Kaloge and Sitti Rani KilegeHe was married to Princess Aysha Rani Kilege aunt of Dom Manoel and daughter of Kalu Mohamed. | ||||
| King Dom Manoel | Dhirikusa Loka (in absentia) | 15 years | 1558 | 1573 | Restored as the King. Formerly known as Sultan Hassan IXA Maldivian Catholic named Andiri Andirin acted as his regent, while Manoel lived in Goa. | ||||
| Interregnum | less than 1 year | 1573 | 1573 | Maldives ruled by Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan of Utheemu after he assassinated Andiri Andirin, the regent of King Dom Manoel. As per a treaty he got refuge from Ali Raja of Cannanore, Mohamed Thakurufan's base of operation was Minicoy under the sovereignty of Cannanore. Keteeb Mohamed Thakurufan did not honour this promise. The Ali Raja demanded dominion over the Maldives, as promised to him by the Kateeb of Uteem. The nature of the relationship between Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan and the Ali Raja of Cannanore was outlined in a letter sent by a later Ali Raja, Mariambe Ali-Adi Raja Bibi, to the Sultan Mohamed Mueenuddine I of the Maldives. The letter was dated Friday 17 Jamada-el-oula Anno Hegirae 1243 (7 December AD 1827). According to the letter Mohamed Thakurufan had entered into a treaty ceding sovereignty of the Maldives to the Ali Raja of Cannanore in the event Thakurufan was established in power in Male. (refer page 294 of Divehi Tarikh). | |||||
| King Dom Manoel | Dhirikusa Loka | 10 years | 1573 | 1583 | Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan concluded a Treaty with King Dom Manoel in order to ward off the Ali Raja of Cannanore with whose help the Kateeb seized power in Male.Under the treaty Dom Manoel was restored but remained in Goa. The co-regents were Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan of Utheem and his brother Hassan Thakurufan. The Kateeb conferred on himself the title of Sultan in 1583 upon Dom Manoel's death. This was in breach of the Treaty and was not legally binding. | ||||
| King Dom João | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 20 years | 1583 | 1603 | Son of King Manoel, who remained in Goa. He had two brothers, Dom Francisco and Dom Pedro. Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan and his brother Hassan Thakurufan ruled for King Dom João as co-regents. Kateeb Mohamed Thakurufan assumed the title of Sultan following the death of King Dom Manoel. He married a Portuguese Christian noblewoman, Donna Francisca Vasconelles and had two children Dom Philippe and Dona Inez. Ibrahim, also known as Kalaafaan[14] (literally "Lord") was the de facto Sultan, but legally the regent of Kings Dom João and Dom Philippe who resided in Goa. He reigned from 1585 to 1609. Son of Mohamed Thakurufan, Kateeb of Utheemu and Rehendiye Goyye daughter of Cat Fatima of Boarhi Woods in Baarah Ibrahim Kalaafaan was the regent at the time of François Pyrard de Laval's detainment in the Maldives after the shipwreck. | ||||
| King Dom Philippe | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 29 years | 1603 | 1632 | Son of King Dom João and Donna Francisca VasconellesAl-Amira Kuda Kalu Kamanafaanu acted as regent from 1607 until 1609.She was the daughter of Hassan Thakurufaan and Sitti Maryam Maavaa Kuda Kamanafaanu Rani Kilege, daughter of Sultan Ali VI, Sultan of the Maldives, by his wife, Princess Aisha Kabafa'anu, daughter of Sultan Kalu Mohamed Hussain Faamuladeyri Kilege acted as regent from 1609 to 1620. Muhammad Imaduddin I acted as regent from 1620 to 1632. De-recognised in the Maldives after an abortive expedition with Portuguese assistance in order to abolish regency and assume power. | ||||
See main article: Utheemu dynasty.
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I | Kula Sundhura Katthiri Bavana | 16 years | 1632 | 1648 | Legally proclaimed sultan in 1632 Former regent for King Dom Philippe | ||||
| Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I | Kula Ran Meeba Katthiri Bavana | 39 years | 1648 | 1687 | Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin I | ||||
| Sultan Kuda Muhammad | Maniranna Loka | 4 years | 1687 | 1691Accidental death | Son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar IHis mother Princess Maryam acted as regent due to his age. Killed with his mother while at sea in an explosion. | ||||
| Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine | Naakiree Sundhura | 1 year | 1691 | 1692 | Re-established the Islamic penal code.Son of Dharanboodhoo Kadida Dio and Abu Naibu Hassan Dorhimeyna Kilege son of the Regent Hussain Famuladeyri Kilege | ||||
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=22% | Claim / relationship with predecessor(s) | width=22% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen I | Mikaalha Madhaadheettha | less than 1 year | 1692 | 1692Possibly poisoned to death | Married Mariyam Kan'baafaanu who was the widow of Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine | Arab mentor of Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine He first visited Male during the reign of Ibrahim Iskandar I. He was probably poisoned to death. He coutured the re-establishment of the Islamic Penal code held by the previous Sultan Muhammad Mohyeddine and assigned Scholars to teach in Mosques. In his Sultanate Maldives was very peaceful and citizens became educated and religious. (refer page 67 to 69 of Divehi Tarikh) | |||||
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=22% | Claim / relationship with predecessor(s) | width=22% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Muhammad Ali IV (Devvadhoo Rasgefaan) | Kula Ran Mani | 9 years | 1692 | 1701Possibly poisoned to death | Married Mariyam Kan'baafaanu who was the widow of Sultan Muhammad Shamsedeen IAppointed as Sultan by request of Viziers[15] | First Sultan of the Dhevvadhoo dynasty[16] Popularly known as Dhevvadhoo Rasgefaanu,[17] son of Ali Mafahaiy Kilege of Dhevvadhoo and Kakuni Dio Sultan Mohamed IV was married to Khadheeja Kanba daughter of Ibrahim Shah Bandar of Isdhoo (Isdhoo Bodu Velaanaa Thakurufaan) Devvadhoo Rasgefaan or Sultan Muahmmadh Ali V was grandson of Al Gazi Muhammad Shamsuddeen. He himself served as Chief Justice prior to Sultan. Devvadhoo Rasgefaan appointed the chronicler Hassan Thaajuddeen as his Chief Justice. | |||||
See main article: Isdhoo dynasty.
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=44% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Ali VII | Kula Ran Muiy | less than 1 year | 1701 | 1701 | Ali Shah Bandar or Isdu 'Ali Velana Thakuru'fa'anu,[18] first Sultan of the Isdhoo dynastySon of Ibrahim Shah Bandar Kilege of Isdhoo and Aysha Dio | ||||
| Sultan Hasan X | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | less than 1 year | 1701 | 1701Abdicated | Son of Sultan Ali VAbdicated for cousin Ibrahim MudzhiruddineHe is also known as Addu Hassan Manikfan[19] | ||||
| Sultan Ibrahim Muzhir al-Din | Muthey Ran Mani Loka | 3 years | 1701 | 1704Deposed | Cousin of Sultan Hasan XDeposed by his Prime Minister Muhammad Imaduddin during the regency of his spouse Fatima Kabafa'anu while on the Hajj pilgrimage. | ||||
See main article: Dhiyamigili dynasty.
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=22% | Claim / relationship with predecessor(s) | width=22% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II | Kula Sundhura Siyaaka Saasthura | 16 years | 1704 | 1720 | Son of Sultan Ibrahim Muzhir al-Dins maternal (Athiree Kamana) aunt Amina Dio[20] | Prime Minister to Sultan Ibrahim MudzhiruddineFirst of the Dhiyamigili dynasty. Commissioned Hassan Taj al-Din to write the Ta’rīkh.[21] | |||||
| Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II | Rannava Loka | 30 years | 1720 | 1750 | Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II | ||||||
| Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin III | Navaranna Keerithi | 7 years | 1750 | 1757Died in captivity by Ali Raja | Son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II | Held captive on Kavaratti island from 1752 until his death in 1757. In 1752 he was seized by the Ali Raja of Cannanore and transported to Kavaratti island in the Laccadives. Male was occupied. The occupation was ended by Muleegey Don Hassan Maniku. The sultan died in captivity. During this time Maldives was ruled by the captive sultan's niece Amina I of Maldives and his daughter Amina II. The de facto regent was Muleegey Don Hassan Maniku. | |||||
| Interregnum | 2 years | 1757 | 1759 | Regency continued in expectation of the return of the deceased Sultan's heir from captivity. | |||||||
| Sultana Amina I[22] | 1 year | 1753 | 1754Abdicated | Daughter of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II | Amina assumed the role of the ruler of Maldives in 1753 after Male was recaptured from the Malabars after 17 weeks of occupation. She was the daughter of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II and Aisha Manikfan. She abdicated the throne and moved to Addu Atoll in the south. She was later banished to various islands and eventually became the Ruler of Maldives for the second time as the regent during the reign of her younger brother Sultan Mohamed Ghiyasuddin in 1773. | ||||||
| Sultana Amina II | 2 years | 1757 | 1759 | Daughter of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin III | Amina succeeded her cousin in 1754 as nominal regent for her absent father the age of nine, while Muleegey Hassan Manikfaan managed the political affairs as de facto regent. Her father died in 1757 in Minicoy, after which she formally became monarch and queen regnant. In 1759 Sultan Hassan Izzuddin became monarch in absentia of Dhiyamigili Sultan. |
| width=20% | Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | width=10% | Monarch from | width=10% | Monarch until | width=22% | Claim / relationship with predecessor(s) | width=22% | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din | Kula Ran Meeba Audha Keerithi Katthiri Bavana | 7 years | 1759 | 1766Abdicated | Ascended after hearing news of Sultan Muhammadh Imaduddin III's demise to fill the throne in absentia of Dhiyamigili heir to throne who was held captive by Ali Raja.[23] Abdicated throne to Sultan Muhammadh Ghiyath al-Din on his return and died on 2 February 1767. | Also known as Muleegey Don Hassan Maniku or Don BandaaraDon Bandaara was son of Amina Dio daughter of Mohamed Kateeb of island Muli of Maldives and Huraa Mohamed Faamuladeyri Thakurufan (from the island of Huraa). |
See main article: Huraa dynasty.
| Name | Regnal Name | Duration of Reign | Monarch from | Monarch until | Claim / relationship with predecessor(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sultan Muhammad Shams al-Din Iskandar II | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | less than 1 year | 1774Ascended after seizing throne from Dhiyamigili Dynasty | 1774 | Seized the throne when Sultan Ghiyath al-Din was on Hajj.[24] Ascended throne after an armed confrontation with Dhiyamigili dynasty supporters.After becoming the Sultan he looted and banished the aides of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din to various islands and seized the properties of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din. | Uncle of Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din. | |
| Sultan Muhammad Mu'izz al-Din | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 5 years | 1774 | 1779 | Son of Sultan Hasan 'Izz ud-din who reigned in absentia for the return of Dhiyamigili heir Ghiyath al-Din. Sultan Ghiyath al-Din of Dhiyamigili dynasty was killed after he returned from Hajj in October 1774 during Sultan Muhammadh Mu'izz al-Din's reign. | When Sultan Ghiyath al-Din of Dhiyamigili dynasty returned after Hajj during Sultan Muhammadh Mu'izz al-Din's reign, instead of bringing Sultan Ghiyath al-Din to Male', he was killed by attaching weights to his feet and throwing overboard into the sea. The last remaining heir of Dhiyamigili Prince Abdulla was banished to Fuvahmulah at the age of seven.[25] Sultan Muhammadh Mu'izz al-Din is popularly known as Kalhu Bandaarain.Sultan Muhammadh Mu'izz al-Din married Aminath Manikfaan from Addu, great-granddaughter of Isdhoo Dynasty Sultan Hassan X (Also known as Addu Hassan Manikfan)[26] | |
| Sultan Hasan Nooraddeen I | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 20 years | 1779 | 1799 | Younger brother of Sultan Muhammad Mu'iz ud-din | Sultan Hassan Nooradeen I married Aishath Manikfaan from Addu, great-granddaughter of Isdhoo Dynasty Sultan Hassan X (Also known as Addu Hassan Manikfan) | |
| Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen I | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 36 years | 1799 | 1835 | Son of Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen I | ||
| Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen IV | Kula Sudha Ira Siyaaka Saasthura Audha Keerithi Katthiri Bovana | 47 years | 1835 | 1882 | Son of Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen I | ||
| Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 4 years | 1882 | 1886Abdicated | Son of Imaaduddeen IV | Abdicated in favor of his nephew Muhammad Mueenuddeen. | |
| Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen II | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 2 years | 1886 | 1888Abdicated | Nephew of Sultan Ibrahm Nooraddeen | On 16 December 1887, he accepted British protection and the nation became a protectorate.[27] | |
| Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 4 years | 1888 | 1892 | Uncle of Sultan Muhammadh Mueenuddeen II | Second reign | |
| Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen V | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 1 year | 1892 | 1893Abdicated | His cousin Hassan Nooreddine Maandhoogey Manippulu acted as his regent due to his age. The regent abdicated in his name in favour of his older half brother. | ||
| Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | less than 1 year | 1893 | 1893Abdicated | Brother of Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen V | His cousin Hassan Nooreddine Maandhoogey Manippulu acted as his regent due to his age. His cousin abdicated in his name and assumed the throne himself. | |
| Sultan Muhammad Imaaduddeen VI | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 9 years | 1893 | 1902Deposed | Former regent for Sultans Muhammad Imaaduddeen V and Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. Deposed while in the Ottoman Empire. | ||
| Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III | Kula Sundhura Katthiri Bavana | 32 years | 1902 | 1934Deposed | Second reign and introduced the first Constitution which ended when he was deposed and exiled. | ||
| Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II | Kula Sudha Ira Siyaaka Saasthura Audha Keerithi Katthiri Bavana | 8 years | 1935 | 1943Forced to abdicate | |||
| Sultan Abdul Majeed Didi | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 8 years | 1944 | 1952 | Abdul Majeed Didi was elected Sultan but continued to live in Ceylon. Maldives ruled by Council of Regency headed for a time by former Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II. | ||
| Interregnum | 2 years | 1952 | 1954 | Following the death of Abdul Majeed and after a national referendum the Maldives became a republic. | |||
| King Sir Muhammad Fareed Didi | Keerithi Maha Radun (no coronation) | 14 years | 1954 | 1968 | Grandson of Sultan Muhammad Mueenuddeen II and eldest son of Sultan Abdul Majeed Didi took the title of King Muhammad Fareed Didi in 1965 when the British protectorate of the Maldives ended. Deposed by a national referendum which decided to replace the sultanate with a republic. |