A Journey to St. Helena, Maldiva Home & Napoleon’s Final Days Residence.
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
During the reign of Dhiyamigili Dynasty, King Ibrahim Iskander II , in 1735, the English ship Drake, under Capt. Pelly, picked up ten Maldivians adrift in a boat 725 km off St Helena,
nearly dead from exhaustion. Seven of them recovered - five men, one woman, and a child - and the men were put to work making a new plantation garden at the top (southern) end of Jamestown, which, when completed, was named after them: Maldivia Gardens.
https://sainthelenaisland.info/maldivia.htm This was probably an extension of whatever existed in 1701.
The history of the Maldivians is a captivating narrative that intertwines elements of culture, identity, and the complexities of colonialism. The accounts of their treatment during this period vary significantly, leading to ongoing debates among historians regarding whether they were subjected to the harsh realities of enslavement or were afforded the more favorable designation of ‘Free Blacks’. This ambiguity is particularly evident in the documentation from the era, which reflects the varying perspectives and policies of colonial powers. A notable primary source is a letter addressed to The East India Company in London, dated 17th March 1735. In this correspondence, it is stated that the Maldivians would be kept engaged in labor to sustain themselves until further instructions were received from the authorities on how they were to be repatriated to their homeland. This directive highlights the precarious situation of the Maldivians, caught in the web of colonial administration and economic exploitation. The term "kept at work for their living" raises questions about the nature of their labor—was it voluntary, or were they coerced into it under threat of punishment or deprivation? Subsequently, another letter dated 5th July of the same year expresses concern over a shortage of ‘slave labor’ on the island. This mention suggests that the Maldivians, being of African descent, were likely subjected to labor demands that were characteristic of the colonial economy, which relied heavily on the exploitation of human resources for agricultural and infrastructural development. The implication here is that while they may have been classified as ‘Free Blacks’, the reality of their situation was likely one of forced labor, where their status did not shield them from the burdens of colonial economic needs. Further complicating the narrative, a letter dated 16th April 1736 recounts that a group of Maldivians, referred to as ‘The Blacks’, expressed a desire to return to their native country. This letter notes that Captain Pelly, who was responsible for their initial oversight, facilitated their journey back by arranging for Captain Crompton to transport them to Bencoolen. The tone of the correspondence suggests that these individuals were treated with a degree of respect and kindness during their time under colonial rule, as the letter states, “We treated them well & they seem highly pleased with their kind usage.” This sentiment indicates a recognition of their humanity, which contrasts sharply with the often brutal realities faced by enslaved populations elsewhere. However, despite the positive remarks regarding their treatment, the records remain silent on the ultimate fate of the Maldivians after they were taken to Bencoolen. Did they successfully return to their homeland, or were they met with further challenges in their journey? This lack of documentation leaves an important gap in the historical narrative, preventing a full understanding of their experiences and the long-term implications of their displacement. In conclusion, the history of the Maldivians during this period is not merely a tale of labor and colonial oversight; it is a complex interplay of identity, survival, and the quest for home. The varying accounts and the incomplete records reflect the broader themes of colonialism, where the lives of individuals were often reduced to mere economic units, yet also highlight moments of dignity and agency amidst adversity.
French Colonial History. Official contact between France and the Maldives goes back to the reign of the Diyamigily King Siri Navaranna Keerithi (Sultan Mohamed Imaduddine III al-Mukarram) in AD 1753. In 1753, Muleege Dhon Hassan Manik (Dhon Bandaara) sent a delegation led by the minister Ali Maafaiy Manikfan to meet Joseph-François Dupleix, Governor of French India based in Pondicherry.
As a result, a French squadron was dispatched under the command of Monsieur Le Termellier to Malé. The squadron did not take long to defeat the Ali Raja's ships anchored off the island of Dhoonidhoo near Malé. It then proceeded to Thiladummati Atoll, where a base had been established by the Ali Raja on the island of Dhonakulhi. The Cannanore invaders were dealt a crushing defeat. The victorious Maldivian forces returned to Malé with their French allies, and a pact was signed under which the squadron was allowed to establish a base at the Naaney Buruzu bastion along the Malé town wall. The squadron was allowed to fly the French flag from the bastion, and they remained there until recalled by Dupleix's successor.
Well before Napoleon's arrival, St. Helena hosted several distinguished visitors. In 1677, Edmond Halley, renowned for his comet, conducted observations in the island's starry night sky. Capt. James Cook visited in 1771, followed by Capt. William Bligh of Bounty fame in 1792. Arthur Wellesley, famously known as the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon’s adversary at Waterloo, stopped by on his way back from India in 1805.Napoleon arrived in St Helena on 15th October 1815, after ten weeks at sea on board the HMS Northumberland.
So from its early illustrious history, where did it all begin to go wrong for St. Helena? The story of St. Helena is one that intertwines with the fate of many explorers, colonizers, and historical figures, but its decline can be traced back to several pivotal moments in time. As for Napoleon, it began in Egypt, where his ambitions and military strategies would eventually lead to his exile on this remote island. The geopolitical landscape of the 19th century was rapidly changing, and St. Helena, which had once been a crucial waypoint for ships navigating the treacherous waters of the Atlantic, began to lose its significance. In 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal marked a monumental shift in maritime trade routes, effectively altering the course of shipping history. With the canal providing a much shorter passage between Europe and Asia, ships no longer required a stopping point on a longer journey to Europe, which had previously included St. Helena as a vital rest and resupply stop. This monumental engineering feat not only reduced travel times significantly but also rerouted the flow of global trade, leading to a dramatic decline in the number of vessels that would call at St. Helena. In its heyday, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, over a thousand ships a year would anchor in the island's sheltered waters, bringing with them goods, news, and a sense of vibrancy to this isolated land. Merchant ships, naval vessels, and explorers all contributed to a bustling maritime economy that thrived on the island’s strategic location. However, as the 19th century progressed, the repercussions of the Suez Canal's opening became starkly evident. By the turn of the 19th century, barely a fifth of that original number of ships stopped at St. Helena, leading to an economic downturn that would have lasting effects on the island's inhabitants and infrastructure. The decline in shipping traffic not only affected the local economy but also diminished the island's cultural and social interactions with the outside world. The once vibrant community began to feel the weight of isolation, as fewer visitors brought fewer opportunities for trade and cultural exchange. The island's inhabitants, who had once enjoyed a lively exchange of ideas and goods, found themselves increasingly cut off from the broader currents of global commerce and communication. Consequently, the rich history and dynamic character of St. Helena began to fade into the background, overshadowed by the rise of new trade routes and the changing tides of global maritime practices.
Following his loss at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the Island of St. Helena, where he passed away 6 years later on May 5, 1821.
Source:
Smithsonian magazine
Dhivehi Thaareeh
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