The Sultan Mohamed Imaduddine VI Iskander (left) and his brother the Prince Maandoogey Dorhy Manippulu with a courtier (Early 1900s). They are wearing black alpaca shirts and the black lungikolhu wraparounds worn by senior members of the Royal House of Huraagey and Hilaaly, when they are not in ceremonial regalia. Both were the site editor's father's uncles.
The Sultan and his brother aborad a foreign warship late circa late 1890s. The Sultan Mohamed Imaduddine VI Iskander (seated middle right) and his brother the Prince Maandoogey Tuttu Manippulu (the site editor's paternal grandfather) aboard a foreign warship. Somehow the crew do not look British. They may be French.
The Sultan's Missive ceremony Colombo 1940s. The Sultan's Ambassador Eggamugey Ibrahim Ali Didi poses with the men of the Ceylon Native Regiment, the missive bearer and the Maldive Government Trade Agent (far left) in Ceylon.
The Sultan's Ambassador Athireegay Abdul Hameed Didi poses with the Governor of Ceylon and men of the Ceylon Native Regiment (1930s). On the Governor's left is Kakaagey Hussain Hilmy Didi.
The Sultan offering prayers at the Central Shrine circa 1933. The Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddine III Iskander makes a right turn on Meduziyaaraiy Magu at the Central Shine from which the street derives its name. He has just finished offering prayers to a saint buried in the shrine. Before the advent of real Islam in the Maldives in 1979, praying to saints in shrines dotted across the archipelago was common and was more popular than offering prayers to Allah in mosques. White penance flags surrounded these shrines. The Saudi and Egyptian trained mullahs banned these flags in 1979. All but very few important of these shrines were demolished following orders from Medina.
Court ladies over the ramparts of the Etherekoilu circa 1930s. Female court officials atop the ramparts of the Etherekoilu- residence of the Sultan. They are wearing their distinctive dark red turbans known as bolufeyli.
Maldive students at Royal College Colombo 1920s. The Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddine III Iskander's son (far right) and nephews in Colombo attending Royal College. From left, Prince Hassan Farid Didi, Prince (later sultan) Mohamed Farid Didi and the Prince Henveyru Ganduvaru Manippulu.
Chief mullahs in their clerical robes during the final days of the absolute monarchy 1930s. Under the absolute monarchy that existed in the Maldives from antiquity until 1932, the Maha Sangha (pre 1153) , the Church (in the 1550s to 1570s), the Mosque and the state were strictly separated. In Islamic times the mullahs had jurisdiction only over the mosques and certain civil and moral trials. Civil life was free from their control and therefore Islam had a limited role. Under constitutional rule the demarcation between mosque and state became progressively blurred. Now the mosque has control over almost all aspects of civil life.
Royal Navy ratings and men of the Royal militia assembled in Malé with members of the public looking on, in early 1930s.
Royal Navy officers taking a stroll along a Malé back street with members of the public walking along with them, in early 1930s.
Royal Navy officer with the Sultan's brother and son early 1930s. A Royal Navy officer entertains the Sultan's nephew (probaby the Prince Macchangoli Ganduvaru Manippulu) and the Sultan's son the Prince Henveyru Ganduvaru Manippulu (far right).
