Galolhugē Ali Didi, also known as Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu, was one of the political leaders of the Maldives from the nineteenth century. He was also one of the wealthiest merchants of Maldives in that century. For most of the 20th century, the forefront of Maldivian politics was dominated by members of his lineage. Due to conflicts with his political rivals during his political career, Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu left the Maldives and lived in Galle in Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka). There, he ran businesses and became one of the wealthiest individuals in the country. He is one of the main characters in the story I'm about to tell.
Once, Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu traveled to Bengal on one of his ships for trade. This was during the time when the British were colonizing the Indian subcontinent, Ceylon, and the surrounding regions. The Bengal of British India at that time was a vast area including present-day Bangladesh, West Bengal of India, Bihar, and some other areas. In the 1800s, even Burma was included as part of Bengal for some time.
Anyway, while Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu's ship was anchored outside a port in Bengal, the port bridge opened. As the bridge opened, Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu's ship was the first to approach to enter. At that moment, the crew of a Maliku (Minicoy) ship behind them shouted, "Vanaajubeysaa heyyoasaa!" (a local sea shanty) and started pulling their ship, catching up with the Kilagefaanu's ship. The crews of both ships began to quarrel. However, the Maliku ship didn't give way and was advancing ahead of the Kilagefaanu's ship.
At this point, Kilagefaanu addressed the Beyfaanu (a respectful term for Manikfans, the Bodun, i.e., the Chiefs) on the Maliku ship: "Look here, Manikufaanu! What are you trying to do?"
The Beyfaanu on the Maliku ship replied: "Didi! If there's strength in Vanaajubeysaa, we'll enter!"
Kilagefaanu said: "We'll see about that!"
After saying this, Ali Dorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu quickly descended to his ship's boat and went ashore. Not long after, a government tugboat came and towed the Maliku ship, pulling it out beyond the bridge. Then, the Kilagefaanu's ship entered through the bridge. That day, as the bridge opening time ended, the harbour was closed. The Maliku ship could only enter the next day when the bridge reopened.
When the Maliku ship finally entered, the Maliku Beyfaanu went to the Kilagefaanu's ship. The Kilegefaan was having tea at the time.
The Maliku Beyfaan then said to Kilagefaanu: "Didi! Strength lies not in Vanaajubeysaa, but in money! I didn't realize that before!"
Kilagefaanu smiled and said: "Come, have some tea! And always remember to think things through!"
Source: Dhiveheenge Vaahaka (Stories of the Maldivians) written by Dharavandhoogē Hussain Didi (Sheikh Hussain Salahuddin)
Once, Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu traveled to Bengal on one of his ships for trade. This was during the time when the British were colonizing the Indian subcontinent, Ceylon, and the surrounding regions. The Bengal of British India at that time was a vast area including present-day Bangladesh, West Bengal of India, Bihar, and some other areas. In the 1800s, even Burma was included as part of Bengal for some time.
Anyway, while Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu's ship was anchored outside a port in Bengal, the port bridge opened. As the bridge opened, Ali Dhorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu's ship was the first to approach to enter. At that moment, the crew of a Maliku (Minicoy) ship behind them shouted, "Vanaajubeysaa heyyoasaa!" (a local sea shanty) and started pulling their ship, catching up with the Kilagefaanu's ship. The crews of both ships began to quarrel. However, the Maliku ship didn't give way and was advancing ahead of the Kilagefaanu's ship.
At this point, Kilagefaanu addressed the Beyfaanu (a respectful term for Manikfans, the Bodun, i.e., the Chiefs) on the Maliku ship: "Look here, Manikufaanu! What are you trying to do?"
The Beyfaanu on the Maliku ship replied: "Didi! If there's strength in Vanaajubeysaa, we'll enter!"
Kilagefaanu said: "We'll see about that!"
After saying this, Ali Dorhimeynaa Kilagefaanu quickly descended to his ship's boat and went ashore. Not long after, a government tugboat came and towed the Maliku ship, pulling it out beyond the bridge. Then, the Kilagefaanu's ship entered through the bridge. That day, as the bridge opening time ended, the harbour was closed. The Maliku ship could only enter the next day when the bridge reopened.
When the Maliku ship finally entered, the Maliku Beyfaanu went to the Kilagefaanu's ship. The Kilegefaan was having tea at the time.
The Maliku Beyfaan then said to Kilagefaanu: "Didi! Strength lies not in Vanaajubeysaa, but in money! I didn't realize that before!"
Kilagefaanu smiled and said: "Come, have some tea! And always remember to think things through!"
Source: Dhiveheenge Vaahaka (Stories of the Maldivians) written by Dharavandhoogē Hussain Didi (Sheikh Hussain Salahuddin)
