What political role did Ibn Battuta play in the Maldives?

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Engraving of Ibn Battuta in Egypt, standing on a decorated stone block with another man, overlooking ancient Egyptian columns and palm trees in the background. — Ibn Battuta Ibn Baṭṭūṭah (right) with an Egyptian man in Egypt.

During his stay in the Maldives, which lasted nearly two years, Ibn Battuta served as a qadi—a Muslim judge responsible for rendering decisions based on Shari'ah law.12

In this capacity, he became actively involved in local politics. His influence grew to the point that he married into the ruling family and reportedly even harbored aspirations of becoming the sultan himself.1