Amina Rani: the last queen of the Maldives

Historical records show that there were actually two Amina Ranis who ruled in succession between 1753 and 1754, a fact that has been conflated in later historical accounts. The first was Amina, daughter of Sultan Ibrahim II. The second was her cousin Amina, who was the daughter of Imadudeen III (Koru Bandaarain).

The story becomes particularly interesting during the Malabar attack of 1752. When the Malabars captured Male and abducted Imadudeen III and Muhammad Manikufaanu (later Sultan Ghiyaasuddin) and took them to India, the two Aminas remained safe in Male: Imadudeen's niece Amina and his only daughter Amina. Both titled themselves in Arabic as Sirāj al-Ālam Kanba Amina (The Lamp of the World Queen Amina), adding to the confusion.

The Arabic Chronicles of Maldives, Tarikh Dībā Mahal, provides crucial details about the succession following the Malabar attack. In early 1753, the elder Amina, daughter of Sultan Ibrahim II, was enthroned as queen. However, her reign was brief (a few months) and marked by conflict. The Arabic Chronicles tell us that she and her husband were forced to retreat to Hithadhoo in Addu Atoll due to conflicts with the French trader Monsieur Le Termellier about a debt owed to him. The corresponding Dhivehi Chronicle (now lost) said she and her Regent (Don Bandaarain) did not see eye to eye, and that was why she was deposed.

This political instability ultimately led to her replacement by her younger cousin, the eight-year-old Amina, daughter of Imadudeen III, in 1754.

Four crucial historical documents provide definitive evidence of the younger Amina's reign.

The first is royal correspondence dated October 12, 1754, written in Thaana script, addressed to the Dutch Governor of Ceylon. This remarkable document refers to "Amina Kilegefaan, under whose royal sandals Hassan Rannabandeyri (later Don Bandaarain) serves as the Regent (Sarudhaaru) of all affairs of the Maldives."

The letter continues with diplomatic formalities, offering prayers for the Dutch Governor's good health, long life, and the strength of his military forces. It mentions sending an emissary named Ibrahim from Noon Atoll Manadhoo bearing modest gifts and expresses hope for continued friendly relations "as in the past days." The correspondence also requests assistance with expediting the return journey of the messenger and asks for clemency if any offense was unintentionally given. Interestingly, the letter alludes to tensions with "Malabari people," noting that conflict persists and that the Maldivians remain prepared for possible attacks in the coming year.

The second piece of evidence is a royal permit issued by Queen Amina herself. The document states: "Under the authority of Siraj al-Ālam (The Lamp of the World) Kanba Amina Rani Kinage, permission is granted to Nilandhoo Rakka Kalege's daughter Fathima, to own six gold chains, three pieces of keveli (a type of ornament), six amulets; and to wear gem-studded earrings. This royal permit demonstrates Queen Amina's exercise of royal authority in granting special privileges to citizens and her use of the full royal title "Siraj al-Alam Kanba Amina" (The Lamp of the World Queen Amina).

The third piece of evidence comes from historical records about the island of Gaaf Alif Atoll Mahadhoo island. According to page 197 of the late historian Mohamed Luthfy's seminal work "Dhivehi Raajjeyge Geography ge Vanavaru," the island of Mahadhoo was granted as a revenue island to Kondey Mohamed Manikufan (son of Sultan Ibrahim Muzuhiruddin) with an annual payment of four kottey of cowries (four sacks of cowrie shells) as tax. This grant was made by Amina Rani Kilegefaan, daughter of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin (Koru Bandaarain). This record provides clear evidence of the younger Amina Rani's authority to grant islands as the reigning monarch, confirming her position as queen during this period.

The fourth piece of evidence comes from the Hadheebee Mosque deed written by Hussein Salahuddin in 1921 (Archives Document FO-86). The deed first establishes the mosque's origins, noting it was built in 1504. It then describes how a new dedication was written, in the year 1173 Hijri (1759 CE), during "the reign of Amina Rani Kilegefaan, daughter of the noble Sultan Mukarram Muhammad Imaduddin (Imaduddin III) - the king taken away by the Malabar rebels. This deed, though written much later, provides independent verification of the young Amina's reign and helps establish its timeframe.

According to the Dhivehi Tareek, Amina Rani Kilegefan held the throne as queen while the Regent (Don Bandaarain) exercised actual control over the affairs of state following the Malabari invasion period. During this period, political intrigue continued to shape the fate of the monarchy. A significant development occurred when rumors spread through Male that Hussein Gadahamaidi Manikfan and his supporters were plotting to overthrow Don Bandaarain and send him into exile.

This rumor had serious consequences. Based solely on this alleged plot, the authorities confiscated all property belonging to Hussein and his wife Fathmath Rani Kilegefan (who was a daughter of king Ibrahim and Amina Rani's first cousin) and exiled the couple from Male. The crackdown extended beyond just the couple, as other suspected supporters were also exiled to various islands across the archipelago. This episode reveals the political instability that characterised Amina Rani's nominal reign, with power struggles and factional conflicts continuing to threaten the stability of the government while real authority remained with the Regent.

According to the Dhivehi Tareek, Amina Rani rule came to an end when Don Bandaarain was formally made king on December 6, 1759.

The Arabic Chronicle only mentions that the new king was kind to the deposed royals: "He was a noble king who governed the affairs of state well, with good policies, justice, and proper administration of law. He showed kindness to all the children of the previously mentioned Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and also to Queen Amina Rani Kilegefan, daughter of the mentioned Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin (III). Due to his justice and good governance, all the people were satisfied with his rule."

What happened to this young queen after 1759 remains largely a mystery. Historian Ala Didi says the deposed queen had two children: "Dhoshee Didi" and "Hagu Didi" but we do not know who the father is and neither do we know whether the two children were male or female. 

The Arabic Chronicles contain an intriguing passage about a milk relationship. It says Amina “was wet-nursed by Mariyam, daughter of Ismail from Muli. She (Amina) is a milk sister to Sultan Muhammad, son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar”

This peculiar mention of milk relationships suggests that King Ghiyasudin (Sultan Muhammad, who returned from Indian captivity and later became king) may have attempted to marry his cousin, the former Queen Amina, after 1759, but was forbidden to do so because she was his "milk sister." Although this potential marriage proposal is not explicitly mentioned in the chronicles, the detailed documentation of milk relationships was typically only recorded when they had significant implications for marriage possibilities, as Islamic law forbids marriage between milk siblings. The careful notation of these connections in the royal chronicles suggests that the relationship between the deposed queen and the subsequent king may have been more complex than simple familial courtesy.

The story of Amina Rani, the last queen of Maldives, provides a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century Maldivian royal politics. Through historical documents, we can piece together the remarkable reign of this young monarch who assumed the throne at just eight years old during a tumultuous period following the Malabar attack. While her actual power remained limited under regency, her formal authority left behind tangible historical traces through royal correspondence, permits, and land grants. Her reign ended with the ascension of Don Bandaarain as Sultan Ghazi Hassan Izudeen in 1759, after which she faded into relative historical obscurity. 

The intriguing mention of her milk-sister relationship with her cousin King Ghiyasudin hints at potential political marriage considerations that never materialised. Amina Rani's brief tenure represents both the possibilities and limitations of female leadership in historical Maldives, making her story an essential chapter in understanding the archipelago's rich political history.