[citation needed] During her reign, she had traditionally been said to indulge in her personal pleasure, and it was said that she "threw all decency to the winds openly playing the role of a latter day Catherine II of Russia.
Nominally married to a commoner, on whom High Rank was conferred, she encouraged unrestricted vice in every form.
"[2] In 1691, the Maldives was tormented by piratical vessels from the Malabar coast descended on Thiladummati [the most northerly] atoll, who committed numerous atrocities before the Maldivian fleet could prepare to confront them.
When the sultan and queen mother sailed to meet the victorious fleet returning to Male, a spark from the royal salute caused the gunpowder at the royal vessel to explode, killing Maryam near Dunidu Island.
[citation needed] Traditionally, Maryam and her regency has been given a bad reputation in Maldivian history, and she has been painted as an immoral usurper.