Maldives History

The Maldives is an island country comprising of 1192 islands and 26 natural atolls. The history of this nation is as interesting as its overwhelming natural beauty. Being located at the major maritime routes of the Indian Ocean, this island country had certain important historic moments throughout it’s past. Except a small period of 15 years in the 16th century, when the Portuguese occupied the island country of Maldives, it has been independent all through its history. After the Portuguese were overthrown it became a British Protectorate for about 80 years in the 19th century. However, the Maldivians gained complete independence in the year 1965.

Historians claim that at the time around 500 B.C., when the Aryan immigrants colonized Srilanka, they settled in the island of Maldives too. It was the beginning of human civilization in the Maldives. Further many people from South India and Srilanka also migrated to this island country. With the help of the latest archeological sources, historians suggest this nation to be inhabited as early as the 1500 B.C. However the first recorded contact of this nation with the outside world began in 947 A.D. when an Arab traveler came to this island country with the idea of trading. It was then, that the world really got to know how rich Maldives was in coconuts, pearls, spices, dried fish and certainly the cowry shells.

The outside world had a real impact on the culture and the history of Maldives. Buddhist traditions and practices were in vogue for the early traders but with the influence of the Persian and Arabic traders, Maldivians converted into Islam. This era is very important in the Maldivian history. The national language Dhivehi also seems to have been highly influence by the Arabic and the Persian language.

After Abul Barakaath Yoosuf Al-Barbary, the first recognized king of the Maley dynasty converted to Islam, all the rulers came to be known as Sultans. Sultan Mohammed-bin-Abdullah was the new name for king Koimala for a good part of his 25 years reign. The Maley dynasty ruled for about 235 years and then gave space to the Hilali dynasty who kept their control on the Maldives for about another 170 years.

The last ruler of the Hilali dynasty, Sultan Ali VI was defeated by Captain Andreas Andre of the Portuguese army. The colonialist’s tried to maintain their control on the Maldives for about 15 years. But it was the time when the real Maldivian hero was born. It was Mohammed Thakurufaan who made everything possible that the Portuguese were thrown out of the nation. Even today one can easily see a lot of love and respect among the local Maldivians for their hero. Muhammad reigned for a peaceful 12 years and died in the year 1585. The Utheemu dynasty of Muhammad however continued to rule over the Maldives for about 127 years. The next ruler after the Utheemu dynasty was Raja of Cannanore from the South coast of India who destroyed the royal palace and sent the Sultan into exile. However under the guidance of Ghazi Hassan lzzaddeen, the Maldivian forces recombined and defeated the Raja of Cannanore. This was the beginning of the Huraage dynasty, which continued till Maldives were announced to be Republic.

Today this island country of Maldives is completely independent and the local people are really enjoying their life in this beautiful naturally designed nation. The Maldives have good cultural and economic ties with its neighboring countries like India and Srilanka. The Mulee Aage, which is the president’s residence and the Hukuru Miskiy or the Friday Mosque are some of the historical monuments of this ancient nation.