Maldives History

According to the Maldives history the earliest settlers on this island were Dravidian people from the nearby coasts, who were the fishermen from the southwestern coastal region of the Indian Subcontinent and the western shoreline of Sri Lanka. During Emperor Ashoka's rule, Buddhism came to the Maldives and until 12th century AD was its main religion.

H.C.P. Bell, a British commissioner, was left castaway on the island of Maldives in the year 1879. It was the culture of the region that enticed and he kept visiting back to explore antique Buddhist remains.

As folklore and history of Maldives have it, a prince named Koimala from India or Sri Lanka came to Maldives and became the first King of the House of Theemuge. The earliest Maldivian Kings supported and promoted Buddhism. The conversion from Buddhism to Islam is referred in the ancient edicts engraved in copper plates. In the past, many sailors and traders came to this island and have influenced this land. Their works and influences have left an imprint on the culture and tradition of Maldives.

Maldives was a self-governing Islamic country from the year 1153 to 1968 but it became a British protectorate from 1887 until July 1965. In 1953 an attempt was made to form a republic but it did not work out and the sultanate was formed once again. Then in 1959, contradicting to Nasir's idea and rule of centralism, the civilians of the three south most atolls disputed against the authoritative government. They together formed the United Suvadive Republic and voted Abdullah Afeef as President and Hithadhoo as the capital city of this republic.

In 1965, Maldives achieved its independence from Britain and the sultanate continued to function for another three years under the rule of King Muhammad Fareed. On November 11, 1968, the long standing monarchy was put an end to and was replaced by a Republic.