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Al-Gazi Mohamed Thakurufaan

Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam
Sultan of the Maldive Islands, Katheeb of Utheemu
Reign 1573 to 1585 AD
Predecessor Andiri Andiri regent of King Dom Manoel
Successor Sultan Ibrahim Kalaafaan (son of Muhammad Thakurufaanu)
Born unknown
Utheemu, Maldives
Died August 26, 1585
Malé, Maldives
Burial Bihuroazu Kamana Mosque, Malé, Maldives
Spouse Rehendiye Goyye
Issue Sultan Ibrahim Kalaafaan (son)
Full name
Al-Sultan Al-Gaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam
House Utheemu
Dynasty Utheemu dynasty
Father Katheebu Husain of Utheemu
Mother Lady Amina Dio
Full name
Al-Sultan Al-Gaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam

as-Sulṭaan al-Ghaazee Muhamadhu Thakurufaanu al-A'uẓam (Maldivian: އައްސުލްޠާން އަލްޣާޒީ މުހައްމަދު ތަކުރުފާނު އަލްއަޢުޡަމް) (death August 26, 1585) or Al-Sultan Ghazi Muhammad Bodu Thakurufaanu ruled over the Maldive Islands from 1573 to 1585 AD. He was a captain, environmentalist and a military strategist. He is considered as the national hero of the Maldives for driving out the Portuguese who ruled over the Maldives from 1558-1573 after killing Sultan Ali VI in Malé. His victory is commemorated in the Maldives as Qaumee Dhuvas or National Day. He was also the first Maldivian king to form the 'Lashkaru (a unified military body).

Muhammad Thakurufaanu was the son of a khatib, Husain of Utheemu in Thiladhummathi Atoll and Amina Dio of Ihavandhoo. Muhammad Thakurufan learned hevikan (may refer to Military drill or Cadet training) in Bidadi in India.

After killing Sultan Ali VI, the Maldives was ruled by Andiri Andiri and his Portuguese invaders. Andiri Andirin was a regent of the King Dom Manoel (Sultan Hassan IX) who was the first Maldivian and the only member of its royalty to renounce Islam and convert to Christianity, later upon his deposition he took refuge in Goa, India.

After the invasion, the Portuguese ruled most cruelly over the Maldive islands in a period which the Tharikh describes as

‘‘a time when intolerable enormities were committed by the invading infidels, a time when the sea grew red with Maldivian blood, a time when people were sunk in despair…’’

To bring an end to this, Muhammad Thakurufaanu, left the Maldive Islands with his brothers Ali and Hasan to Maliku off the coast of India in the Laccadive Archipelago. The three Utheemu brothers built the ship Kalhuoffummi. It is said that Muhammad Thakurufaanu received a lot of help from the renowned Maroshi Raaveribe (toddy-tapper) in his fight for national independence. It was his job to mend and maintain the sail of the Kalhuoffummi - the ship used in the 'battle' and supply water to the vessel every time it docked at Maroshi, which was an important port during this fight. The sails of the ship were made on the island of Maroshi, Shaviyani Atoll. This island is historic as it has the tree that grew from the Kaani Mundi (a raw wooden post) used to make the sail of Kalhuoffummi. It is also the largest tree of its kind in the country, and probably the oldest as well.


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