Maldives history is coloured by heroic deeds done by patriotic citizens who stood up against enemy forces and invading troupes from foreign countries to protect their land at any cost. One of the outstanding stories that have been written in the annals of Maldivian history is about its patriotic hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu. When the Portuguese forces invaded Maldives in 1558, this man together with his close friends and brothers defended their country by fighting against the enemy forces and finally succeeded in defeating them and chasing them out of the country in 1573.
Utheemu Ganduvaru was the home of Thakurufaanu where as a child he grew up learning the art of defence and fighting against enemies. The small well-preserved palace built out of wood is located on the island named Utheemu which is one of the great places to see in Maldives, quite a different setting from the nation’s holiday resorts such as Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and beautiful sandy beaches. Truly it is one of the must visit sites with a rich heritage that you can add to your holiday tour in Maldives.
Thakurufaanu, who was born on the island of Utheemu, never gave into the power and force of the Portuguese. It is said that he kept on strategizing, regrouping and battling against the enemy with his small group of patriots loyal to him until they were finally defeated. The island where he was born has a rich history evolving around his childhood and heroic acts as an adult. Thakurufaanu was instrumental in gaining Maldives’ independence when the Portuguese forces were defeated and became the country’s Sultan in 1573.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+