Muhammad Thakurufaanu and brothers liberate Maldives from Portuguese, restoring sovereignty and Islamic faith.

Muhammad Thakurufaanu, along with his brothers Ali and Hassan, played a critical role in expelling the Portuguese from the Maldives, thereby restoring Maldivian sovereignty. The Portuguese had established control over the Maldives in the mid-16th century, bringing significant changes to the local governance and lifestyle. Their rule was met with increasing dissatisfaction among the Maldivian people due to their oppressive practices and attempts to force religious conversions. Muhammad Thakurufaanu, a Maldivian nobleman from the island of Utheemu, organized a resistant force with the help of his brothers and other Maldivians. They carried out a guerilla warfare campaign from their base in the Maldives and surrounding islands. Their tactics were focused on hit-and-run attacks, targeting Portuguese strongholds and disrupting their operations. The decisive moment came when Thakurufaanu and his forces launched an intense assault on Male', the capital. The Portuguese were overwhelmed, and despite their fortified positions, they could not withstand the coordinated attacks. After extensive fighting, the Portuguese were finally expelled, and the Maldives regained its sovereignty. This event had a profound impact on the Maldives and its people. It not only freed them from foreign control but also reinstated the Islamic faith and traditional practices that had been suppressed under Portuguese rule. The efforts of Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his brothers are commemorated annually and have cemented their legacy as national heroes. #MoofLife #MaldivesHistory #SovereigntyRestored #Resilience #Courage #NationalHeroes