About Maldives

History

Positioned at a crossroads in the Indian Ocean, the islands originally attracted seafarers, merchants and settlers from neighboring countries who appreciated the calm waters of the lagoons and the bounty of coconuts and fish. Whether people were marooned there by shipwreck or arrived as exiles from places such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa and even Greece and the Roman Empire, the struggle for survival left little time for disputes so gradually an ad hoc nation of islanders came into being.

The latest archaeological evidence suggests that the Maldives islands were first inhabited in around 1500 BC. It seems likely that the islands were first permanently settled by Aryan immigrants who are also believed to have colonized Sri Lanka at around the same time. Subsequent migrations at regular intervals, from Southern India and Sri Lanka, served to further expand the population of the Maldives.

The latest archaeological evidence suggests that the Maldives islands were first inhabited in around 1500 BC. It seems likely that the islands were first permanently settled by Aryan immigrants who are also believed to have colonized Sri Lanka at around the same time.

Documented contact with the outside world began around 947 AD when Arab travelers began visiting the islands. Arab and Persian traders soon began arriving in large numbers, attracted to the Maldives by the abundance of pearls, spices, coconuts, dried fish and, in particular, cowry shells (which were accepted currency from Africa to China until the sixteenth Century). These traders profoundly influenced Maldivian society and culture, with perhaps their most significant impact being in the religious sphere – the Maldives officially converted to Islam in 1153 AD.

Before converting to Islam, the Maldivians were known to practice Buddhism and ancient paganism. Ancient Buddhist ruins are preserved in the country and antique Buddhist artefacts are displayed in the National Museum in Male’.

Historic remains indicate that Buddhists and Hindus brought their own beliefs and, logically, Arab settlers would have brought Islam with them. However, Islam did not become the official religion until 1153 while conversion of all the islanders took a further 60 years, uniting the settlers of the atolls into a nation ruled by a Sultan, and sometimes a Sultana. The post was never hereditary and the ruling council, which included women, selected the sultan.

Various dynasties ruled the Maldives without attracting much attention from the rest of the world, surviving through fishing and trading including the export of cowrie shells which became a currency accepted worldwide and earning the Maldives the nickname of Money Islands.

Peace was shattered with the arrival of the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean and they eventually invaded the islands in 1558. Their occupation lasted 15 years until they were ousted by Mohamed Thakurufaanu, a resident of Utheemu, who led a band of Maldivians in seaborne guerrilla warfare against the Portuguese and thwarted their attempts to convert the islanders to Christianity.

Invasions from India followed in the 17th century but these were resisted with Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar even invading territory of the Rajah of Cannanore and taking hostages, which put an end to Indian interest in the islands for 40 years. There was a brief occupation by Malabars in the 18th century.

The Dutch, who were interested in trade through their base in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) surveyed the islands in 1671 but did not stay. The French (who had a fort in Pondicherry) were allowed to station forces in Male’ for a short time to protect the islands from Indian attacks. By the beginning of the 19th century, British power was predominant in the Indian Ocean. To keep the British at bay, in 1887 Sultan Mohamed Mueenuddeen II exchanged letters with the Governor of Ceylon, representing Queen Victoria, enabling the Maldives to enjoy the status of a protected state, although not actually becoming an occupied British Protectorate.

The Sultanate became a Republic in 1953 with Mohamed Ameen Didi (formerly Prime Minister) as President for a few months before the Sultanate was restored. The Maldives became independent in 1965. Three years later the Sultanate was abolished again and Ibrahim Nassir was elected President.