French Involvement in Maldivian History: A Brief yet Significant Chapter & Malabari Invasion of 1753
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Feb 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 28
The history of French engagement with the Maldives is a fascinating, albeit short-lived, episode in the archipelago's long story of navigating external powers in the Indian Ocean. Unlike the more enduring Portuguese occupation in the 16th century or the later British protectorate from 1887 to 1965, French involvement was limited to a targeted military alliance in the mid-18th century. This intervention arose from the Maldives' vulnerability to regional threats and the broader geopolitical rivalries among European colonial powers in South Asia. The event centered on the aftermath of the Malabari invasion of 1752 and represents one of the few direct instances of French military support in Maldivian affairs.
The Malabari Invasion and Maldivian Vulnerability
The Maldives in the 18th century faced repeated external pressures due to its strategic location along key trade routes and its valuable exports, such as cowrie shells and ambergris. In December 1752, forces from the Arakkal Kingdom (Ali Raja of Cannanore, in modern-day Kerala) invaded and captured Malé, the capital. Led by the Ali Raja (also known as Kunhi Amsa), the Malabaris abducted Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin III (reigned 1750–1757), the last ruler of the Dhiyamigili dynasty, along with other royals. The sultan was held captive initially on Kavaratti Island in the Lakshadweep (Laccadive) archipelago, with some traditions claiming he was later moved to Minicoy (Maliku), where he died in 1757 and is said to be buried, marked by a gravestone.
The occupation of Malé lasted only about 17 weeks, ending in early 1753 when local resistance, led by Muleegey Dhon Hassan Maniku (later Sultan Hassan Izzuddin I or Dhon Bandaara), launched a successful counteroffensive. This heroic liberation is commemorated today as Huravee Day. However, the Ali Raja's forces continued to pose threats, raiding islands and seeking to reassert control. To secure lasting independence and deter future invasions, Dhon Bandaara sought external assistance, turning to the French in India.
The French Alliance of 1753
Official contact between France and the Maldives dates to 1753, during the reign of the captive Sultan Imaduddin III. Dhon Bandaara, acting as de facto leader, sent a delegation headed by minister Ali Maafaiy Manikfan to Joseph-François Dupleix, the influential Governor-General of French India in Pondicherry (Puducherry). Dupleix, a key figure in French colonial ambitions in India and a rival to the British East India Company, saw an opportunity to expand French influence in the Indian Ocean amid Anglo-French competition.
Dupleix responded by dispatching a naval squadron commanded by Monsieur Le Termellier (sometimes described as a merchant-captain with prior trade links to the Maldives). The French forces arrived in Maldivian waters and engaged the Ali Raja's fleet, achieving decisive naval victories. They defeated Malabari ships near Dhoonidhoo Island off Malé and destroyed a base on Dhonakulhi in Thiladummati Atoll. These actions prevented reinforcements and solidified Maldivian control.
The intervention was brief and pragmatic, not a colonial takeover but military aid in exchange for mutual benefits. In gratitude, the Maldivian authorities:
Allowed the French to establish a temporary base at the Naaney Buruzu bastion (a fortification in Malé's town wall).
Temporarily raised the French flag there.
Rewarded the squadron with ambergris, a prized commodity from Maldivian waters used in perfumery and trade.
A formal pact was signed, marking a strategic alliance that helped repel the lingering Malabari threat.
Cultural and Lasting Legacy
The French presence, though short, left a distinctive mark on Maldivian culture and toponymy. The narrow lane next to the Naaney Buruzu bastion became known as Faranji-kaloa Goalhi ("French/European Street" or "Faranji Lane"), where "Faranji" derives from "Frank," a regional term for Europeans (especially the French). This name persisted in local memory until the mid-20th century, serving as a reminder of the alliance. Monsieur Le Termellier was locally remembered as "Faranji Kalo," highlighting his personal role in Maldivian oral traditions.
This episode demonstrated the Maldives' diplomatic agility leveraging a European power to counter regional aggression without inviting permanent subjugation. It contrasted with earlier Portuguese attempts at conquest (1558–1573) and foreshadowed later alignments, such as the British protectorate established in 1887 to address similar threats
Broader Historical Significance
French involvement in 1753 occurred during the height of Anglo-French rivalry in India, just before the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), which ultimately diminished French ambitions in the region. No permanent French establishment followed in the Maldives, and relations remained limited to this episode and pre-existing trade ties (including cowries and ambergris). The event underscores how small island states like the Maldives navigated great-power dynamics for survival in the turbulent 18th-century Indian Ocean world.
In modern Maldivian historiography, the 1753 alliance symbolizes clever diplomacy and resilience. It stands apart from more famous narratives like Huravee Day, yet it highlights the archipelago's history of selective engagement with outsiders avoiding full colonization until the British era while drawing on external support when needed. This brief French chapter remains a unique testament to the interconnectedness of Indian Ocean histories.
I read the post and it gave a clear look at how France played a small but important part in Maldivian history, especially in trade and early foreign ties. When I was studying world history I felt stuck and even used best online help with undergraduate level course help to get through confusing parts about colonial links and dates. That made me think history feels richer when you connect the dots yourself.