Maldives History

The first settlers of the Maldives were Dravidian fishermen from the southwest coasts of India and the western shores of modern Sri Lanka.

Buddhism was brought to the Maldives during Emperor Ashoka’s expansion and became the dominant
religion in the Maldives until the 12th century. The ancient Maldivian Kings promoted Buddhism and the first Maldive writings and artistic achievements are from that period. The entire archipelago was conquered by the medieval Chola Tamil emperor Raja Raja Chola I in the early 11th century. Conversion to Islam is mentioned in the ancient edicts written at the end of the 12th century.

Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives were a British protectorate from 1887 until July 25, 1965. After independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another three years under King Muhammad Fareed. On November 11, 1968, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by a republic. The official name of the country was changed from Maldive Islands to the Maldives. Tourism began to develop on the archipelago in the early 1970s.

On December 26th 2004, the Maldives were devastated by a tsunami. Only nine islands escaped any flooding, while fifty-seven islands were seriously damaged. Fourteen islands had to be totally evacuated, and six islands were wiped out. A total of 108 people, including six foreigners, reportedly died in the tsunami. The country has rebounded since then, though is still repairing itself.

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