Thiladhunmathi Atoll

Thiladhunmathi is a northern Maldivian atoll of coral islands separated by channels and surrounded by reefs. Among its islands is Utheemu, home of Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his brothers. After the Portuguese seized Malé in 1558, they led a campaign from the northern islands against the foreign-backed authorities. Their struggle ended with the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1573, and Muhammad became sultan. The atoll’s seafarers and their knowledge of the island channels are central to this remembered episode of Maldivian history.