How One Journalist’s Exile in Raa Atoll Led to the Birth of Maldives’ National Archives.
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Feb 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 24
The Establishment of the National Archives of Maldives
(NAM), known in Dhivehi as އަރުޝީފު, reflects a significant evolution from ancient record-keeping traditions to a modern, independent institution dedicated to preserving the nation's documentary heritage. This development was significantly influenced by efforts to restore neglected historical documents, culminating during the period of 2008–2012. Legislative action directly led to the Archives Act (Act No. 16/2011) and the formal establishment of NAM.
Ancient and Early Foundations of Archiving in the Maldives
Maldivian archiving has deep roots tied to its seafaring society and religious history. Evidence suggests record-keeping as early as 1100 A.D., encompassing governance, trade, community affairs, and Islamic matters following the nation's conversion in 1153 A.D. These early practices were informal, often maintained by royal courts, mosques, or local authorities.
The Lōmāfānu copper plates stand as the oldest surviving written records. These royal edicts and waqf grants, inscribed in the ancient Evēla Akuru script on thin copper sheets bound like books, date to shortly after Islam's adoption. The most significant is the Isdhoo Lōmāfānu (1194 CE / 590 AH), from the reign of Sultan Sri Gaganaaditya (Dhinei Kalaminja) of the Theemuge Dynasty. Discovered on Isdhoo Island in Laamu Atoll, it comprises 21 plates detailing royal ancestry, land grants to mosques, Islamic teachings (e.g., on Ramadan and Shariah), and administration. Similar plates from the era, like Gamu Lōmāfānu and Dhanbidhoo Lōmāfānu, also from Laamu Atoll, provide direct evidence of early Islamic governance.
Preserved in the National Museum in Malé, they mark the shift from oral traditions or lost pre-Islamic records to durable documentation, forming the foundation of Maldivian historiography before chronicles like Hassan Thaajudheen's Tarikh.
More formalized government archiving emerged in 1942 during the British protectorate (1887–1965), with official documents systematically stored in administrative offices. However, this remained decentralized, lacking a dedicated institution or robust legal protections, leaving records susceptible to environmental degradation and neglect. Early Modern Efforts: Mohamed Amin Didi's Contributions (1940s–1950s)A key milestone in restoration came under Mohamed Amin Didi (1910–1954), Prime Minister in the late 1940s and president of the short-lived First Republic (1953). His reforms centralized heritage preservation amid modernization.
National Library (State Library) Foundation (1945): As Head of the Department of Education, Amin Didi established the State Library (later National Library) on July 12, 1945 (initially Dhaulathuge Kuthubukhaanaa; renamed Majeedhee Library in 1948). It collected books, manuscripts, and documents, laying groundwork for written heritage preservation.
National Museum Founding (1952): Opened on November 11, 1952 (National Day) by Prime Minister Amin Didi, initially in a wing of the former royal palace (Usgekolhu). It centralized artifacts, pre-Islamic Buddhist stones, royal regalia, inscriptions (including Lōmāfānu references), manuscripts, and ethnographic items, to preserve history, foster patriotism, and ensure public access.
These institutions endured despite political upheaval (Amin Didi's death in 1954), influencing later archival developments.
Nasir's Era: A Critical Period of Political Transformation (1950s–1970s)
The handling of historical records and assets from earlier leaders, such as President Ibrahim Nasir, provides important context for later preservation efforts. Nasir's presidency and premiership encompassed some of the most defining moments in modern Maldivian history, many of which generated significant official documents now part of national heritage.
Timeline of Nasir's Era and Related Events
1950s: Rise and Southern Unrest
Nasir became Prime Minister under the sultanate in December 1957 amid growing tensions over British influence.
The 1956 agreement allowing Britain to establish a military base on Gan Island (Addu Atoll) for 100 years sparked discontent, particularly in the southern atolls. Nasir sought to renegotiate for shorter terms and higher payments, viewing the deal as unbalanced. This fueled economic grievances in Addu, Huvadhoo (also called Suvadiva or Huvadhoo), and Fuvahmulah atolls, where British presence .
1959: Suvadive Republic Secession
On January 1, 1959, the southern atolls declared the short-lived United Suvadive Islands Republic (commonly "Suvadive Republic"), led by Abdullah Afeef, with Hithadhoo as capital. The rebellion stemmed from fears of losing economic benefits post-independence push and perceived neglect from Malé. The Maldivian government initially struggled to respond, but British withdrawal of support weakened the secessionists.
1961–1963: Suppression of Southern Uprisings
Huvadhoo Atoll rejoined the secession in 1961. In 1962–1963, Nasir deployed armed forces to restore control, using significant force to end the rebellion by 1963. The Suvadive Republic dissolved, with its leader exiled to the Seychelles by Britain without Maldivian consent. These events highlighted regional divisions and centralized authority under Nasir.
1965: Independence from Britain
Negotiations, facilitated by Nasir's envoy Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi in Colombo (Ceylon/Sri Lanka), culminated in the Declaration of Independence on July 26, 1965. Signed by Nasir (as Prime Minister) and British representative Sir Michael Walker, it ended 78 years of British protectorate status (formalized 1887). The Maldives became fully sovereign as a sultanate outside the Commonwealth, with Britain retaining Gan base rights until 1976.
1968: Republic Established
A referendum abolished the sultanate; the Second Republic was proclaimed on November
11, 1968, with Nasir as the first President.
Ibrahim Nasir's Resignation:
Nasir resigned on November 11, 1978, citing health reasons, and went into self-imposed exile in Singapore (where he died in 2008)
Maumoon's Rise: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who served as the Minister of Transport in Ibrahim Nasir's cabinet, was nominated by the People's Majlis (Parliament) as the presidential candidate.
The three decades of authoritarian rule in the Maldives are often criticized for systemic shortcomings in state record-keeping and archival management, as well as for imposing stringent restrictions on media freedom and independent writers and journalists.
State Records and Archive Mishandling/Neglect During (1978–2008), government archiving was decentralized and lacked a dedicated national institution or comprehensive legal framework. It was managed on an ad hoc basis within ministries, without standardized policies, preservation protocols, or public access mechanisms. This resulted in vulnerability to environmental factors (e.g., humidity, salt air) and administrative neglect.
The building, originally Nasir's family home, Velaanaage, contained various documents, files, and materials from his era: 1965: Independence from Britain, 1950s, some of which were auctioned or "scrapped" by the authorities during the 1978–2008 administration.
A significant event transpired shortly after Mohamed Nasheed, a historian, journalist, and author of Dhagandu Dhahanaa, focused his research on the colonial history of the British protectorate era in the Maldives. Nasheed wrote a book entitled "Colonial History", which emphasizes the strategic importance of sea surveys and naval positioning in the establishment of the protectorate in 1887 (The Iron Shield). He was first elected to the People's Majlis (parliament) During Gayoom's administration, Nasheed was accused of removing documents from the Velaanaage auction, which authorities reportedly considered outdated or worthless. The government charged him with unlawfully taking government-discarded documents, resulting in his imprisonment in Dhoonidhoo prison. He was held in solitary confinement and subsequently sentenced to 2½ years of internal exile (banishment) shortly after his parliamentary election.
Nasheed's Presidency: Discovery, Salvage, and Reform (2008–2011)
Nasheed's term marked a turning point in addressing these gaps through concrete actions on historical preservation.
November 11, 2008: Mohamed Nasheed inaugurated as president after defeating Gayoom in the Maldives' first multi-party election.
This democratic transition symbolized a break from opacity, including better management of state records.
Late 2008: During the move into the President's Office (previously occupied by Gayoom for 30 years), staff discovered multiple caches of abandoned historical state documents in storage boxes. These dated back to the 16th century (with items from around 1560), including over 1,000 official records, administrative papers, and manuscripts offering insights into Maldivian governance, society, and history. Neglected for decades and at risk of deterioration, the find highlighted prior regimes' poor records management.
2008–2010: Nasheed's administration prioritized salvage. Documents were recovered, appraised, and digitally cataloged to prevent loss.
October 17, 2009: Nasheed opened a display of 400-year-old manuscripts at the Kalaafaanu Mosque in Hithadhoo (Addu Atoll), detailing a mausoleum for Sultan Kalaafaanu. He emphasized heritage's role in nation-building and cultural identity.
April 2010: The National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research (NCLHR, from the prior regime) was dissolved, with functions reassigned to promote centralized heritage management.
October 28, 2010: At a National Museum ceremony, Nasheed handed over the salvaged 16th-century manuscripts (digitally cataloged) to the newly established Department of Heritage (under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture). He described them as enriching the nation's "treasure of historical documents," underscoring transparency and accountability.
These initiatives reflected Nasheed's broader reforms, including climate activism and democratic institution-building, where preserving records symbolized breaking from authoritarian opacity.
Legislative Culmination: The Archives Act and NAM's Founding (2011–2012)
The discoveries and reforms built momentum for permanent institutional change:
January 19, 2012: NAM was officially established as an independent bureau under the Act. (Note: Some sources mention slight date variations such as December 19, 2012, but official records confirm January 19, 2012.)
Nasheed's resignation on February 7, 2012 (amid a political crisis a coup) occurred shortly after NAM's inception, yet the Act and institution were direct results of his administration's priorities.
For primary details, consult archives.gov.mv or historical presidency releases.
Note:
On February 4, 2021, Mohamed Nasheed, in his capacity as Speaker of the People's Majlis, officiated the inauguration of the Maldivian Parliament's Library and Digital Archive. This event marked a significant advancement in the preservation and modernization of the legislative heritage of the Maldives.
The library and archive are located in the new 13-storey parliamentary building to the south of the main complex in Malé, reflecting a strategic initiative to enhance the professional management of parliamentary records. At its inception, the physical library housed over 2,000 books (later recorded as 2,133), categorized into General, Reference, Maldivian (Dhivehi-focused), and Special Collections, which are further divided into Executive, Legislative, Judicial, and other categories. The digital archive, accessible through parlinfo.majlis.gov.mv and archive.majlis.gov.mv, includes scanned historical documents, daily session records, presidential addresses, committee reports, bills, enacted laws, budgets, photographs, and audio and video materials.
Book Proposal by Mohamed Nasheed
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