Ali Raja Bibis of Cannanore

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Ali Raja Bibis of Cannanore

A muslim dynasty ruling a principality in the south of India, now in the State of Kerala.

 

1728-32 Rani Harrabichi Kadavube Ali Raja Bibi of Cannanore (India)

The Arakkal family followed a matriarchal system of descent. The elder most member of the family, male or female, was its head and ruler. While male rulers were called Ali Rajah, female rulers were known as Arakkal Beevis.


 

1732-45 Rani Junumabe Adi Raja Bibi I of Cannanore (India)

Also known as Junumma Beevi Arakkal Ali Raja, she was head of the only muslim ruling house in what is now Kerala resided in the Arakkal Palace, located 3 km from Kannur (Cannanore). A daughter of hers was one of the wifes of Prince Shahzada 'Abdu'l-Khaliq Sultan Sahib of
Khdadad, who was surrendered to Lord Cornwallis in 1792 and returned to his father 2 years later. Exiled to Vellore in 1799, and deported to Calcutta with his brothers and the rest of his family in 1806.


 

1777-1819 Rani Junumabe Adi Raja Bibi II of Cannanore (India)

On December 18, 1790 Minicoy was surrendered to the Court of Directors of the English East India Company by the Ali Raja of Cannanore, Junumabe Ali-Adi Raja Bibi II. The Ali Raja was allowed to administer Minicoy in return for a tribute to the East India Company. On 27 July 1795, the Governor General of the Presidency of Madras under whose jurisdiction Minicoy was, abolished Junumabe Ali Adi-Raja Bibi's coir monopoly. This was the beginning of the end of the Ali Raja's real control over Minicoy, but she continued to dispute the transfer of sovereignty but in 1824, her successor, Mariambe Ali-Adi Raja Bibi made a formal written recognition of the suzerainty of the East India Company. She and her successors, however, continued the tributary arrangement. 


 

1819-38 Rani Mariambe Adi Raja Bibi of Cannanore

Succeeded her mother, Junumabe Adi-Raja Bibi II. In 1824 she made a formal written recognition of the suzerainty of the East India Company over the Island of Minicoy, which her mother had been forced to transfer in 1790. She and her successors, however, continued the tributary arrangement. Mariabe was succeeded by daughter, Rani Hayashabe, who was first succeeded by son and in 1907 her daughter, Imbichi, ascended to the throne.


 

1838-52 Rani Hayashabe Adi Raja Bibi of Cannanore

Succeeded mother, Rani Mariambe, and first succeeded by son. In 1907 her daughter, Imbichi, ascended to the throne of the Muslim Kingdom centred around the city of Cannanore - now known as Kannur - in the State of Kerala.


 

1907-11 Rani Imbichi Adi-Raja Bibi of Cannanore 

Also known as Imbicchi Ali-Adi Raja Bibi, she succeeded brother, Mohamed Ali-Adi Raja as head of the Arakkal dynasty. She was daughter of Rani Hayashabe Adi Raja Bibi who reigned 1838-52 in succession to her mother, Rani Mariambe Adi Raja Bibi, who reigned (1819-38). In 1905 her brother, under the heavy burden of debts to the Empire, agreed to surrender sovereignty and control over Minicoy in the Maldive Islands. He died before the formal transfer. And after an attempt to back track, she finally signed over Minicoy to the Emperor Edward VII on 9 February 1909, backdated to 1 July 1905. Following this, Minicoy was annexed to the District of Malabar.  By she lost the city of Kannur and the Cannanore Cantonment. By 1911 there was further decline with loss of chenkol and udaval.


 

1921-31 Rani Ayisha Adi-Raja Bibi of Cannanore

Succeeded the Maharaja Ahmad Adi-Raja and was succeeded by Abdul-Rahman Ali Adi-Raja II.


 

1946-47 Rani Mariyumma Adi-Raja Bibi of Cannanore

Also known as Ali Raja Bibi Arakkal Mariumma or Ali Raja Mariumma Beevi Thangal, she was the last ruler before the principality was incorporated in the Republic of India. It is not known when she died but Adiraja Ayisha Muthu Beevi (1922-2006) was head of the Head of the Arakkal royal house from 1997 and was succeed by Adiraja Ayisha Beevi as the Arakkal Beevi (or Beebi) near the City that is now known as Kannur.


 

1997-2006 Adiraja Ayisha Muthu Beevi, Arakkal Beevi of Cannanore

Also known as Sultana Aysha Aliraja, she lived (1922-2006)


 

2006- Adiraja Sainaba Ayisha Beevi, Arakkal Beevi of Cannanore

Another version of her name is Ali Raja Sultana Zainaba Aysha Beevi and Beevi is also written Bibi or Beebi. She was inagurated as head of the royal family at a solemn function with participation of the local MP and other dignitaries. (b. 1924-).


Last update 11.09.11

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