Holiday Vacation Trips Asia - Maldives Destination
Maldives History

Maldives Travel Guide offers travel tips and information for top travel places and best destinations. We feature links, resources and large selection of budget airlines, chartered planes, sea cruises, ferries, travel agencies, land transports and attractions including beaches, medical tourism, retirement homes, historical and pilgrimage tours.

Agreement that gave the Maldives full political independence.Signed on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan by Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, Prime Minister and on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by Sir Michael Walker British Ambassador designate to the Maldive Islands. The Ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Colombo on 26 July 1965. Standing from left to right in the Maldive delegation: Mr Koli Ali Maniku Maldives Trade Representative in Colombo; Mr Kandi Ahmed Maniku, First Secretary Maldive Embassy in Colombo and Abdul Sattar Faamuladeyri Kilegefan Maldive Ambassador designate in Colombo.

Comparative studies of Maldivian oral, linguistic and cultural traditions and customs confirm that the first settlers were Dravidian people from Kerala in the Sangam period (300 BCE – 300 CE), most probably fishermen from the southwest coasts of what is now the south of the Indian Subcontinent and the western shores of Sri Lanka. One such community is the Giraavaru people descended from ancient Tamils. They are mentioned in ancient legends and local folklore about the establishment of the capital and kingly rule in Malé. They are considered to be the earliest community of settlers on the islands. A strong underlying layer of Tamil population and culture is present in Maldivian society, with a clear Tamil-Malayalam substratum in the language, which also appears in place names, kin terms, poetry, dance, and religious beliefs. Keralan sea faring led to Tamil settling of the Laccadives, and the Maldives were evidently viewed as an extension of the archipelago. Some argue that Gujaratis also were an early layer of migration. Seafaring from Gujarat began during the Indus valley civilization. The Jatakas and Puranas show abundant evidence of this maritime trade. Another early settlers might have been from Southeast Asia. The arrival of Sinhalese, who were descended from the exiled Kalinga Prince Vijaya (Vijaya was a Banga or Bengal Prince whose maternal ancestor was Kalinga) and his party of several hundred, in the Maldives occurred between 543 to 483 BCE. They were made to leave their native regions of Orissa and the Sinhapura kingdom in north west India. According to the Mahavansa, one of the ships that sailed with Prince Vijaya who went to Sri Lanka around 500 BC, went adrift and arrived at an island called Mahiladvipika, which is the Maldives. It is also said that at that time the people from Mahiladvipika used to travel to Sri Lanka. Their settlement in Sri Lanka and some of the Maldives marks a significant change in demographics and the development of the Indo-Aryan language Dhivehi a branch off language of Sinhala). There are some signs of Arab and east Asian inhabitants mostly in southernmost atolls.

Buddhism came to the Maldives at the time of Emperor Ashoka's expansion and became the dominant religion of the people of the Maldives until the 12th century AD. The ancient Maldivian Kings promoted Buddhism and the first Maldive writings and artistic achievements in the form of highly developed sculpture and architecture are from that period. Isdhoo Lōmāfānu is the oldest copper-plate book to have been discovered in the Maldives to date. The book was written in AD 1194 in Evēla form of the Divehi akuru with the exception of the first plate, during the reign of Siri Fennaadheettha Mahaa Radun. Tusites Maakri, the god of war in Maldivian mythology was said to overtake any leader that may have done wrongful deeds while wearing the crown.

First archaeological study of the remains of early cultures on the Maldives began with the work of H.C.P. Bell, a British commissioner of the Ceylon Civil Service. Bell was shipwrecked on the islands in 1879, and returned several times to investigate ancient Buddhist ruins. He studied the ancient mounds, called havitta or ustubu (these names are derived from chaitiya or stupa) by the Maldivians, which are found on many of the atolls.

Although Bell asserted that the ancient Maldivians followed Theravada Buddhism, many local Buddhist archaeological remains now in the Malé Museum display in fact Mahayana and Vajrayana iconography. In the early 11th century the Minicoy and Thiladhunmathi also possibaly other northern Atolls was conquered by the medieval Chola Tamil emperor Raja Raja Chola I, becoming a part of the Chola empire.

According to a legend from the Maldivian Folklore, in the early 12th century AD a medieval prince named Koimala nobleman of the Lion Race from Ceylon, sailed to Rasgetheemu island (literally King's Town) in North Maalhosmadulu Atoll and from there to Malé and established a kingdom there. By then, the Aadeetta (Sun) Dynasty had for sometime ceased to rule in Malé, possibly due to invasions by the Cholas of Southern India in the Tenth Century. The indigenous people in Malé Atoll, the Giraavaru invited Koimala to Malé and permitted him to be proclaimed king. Koimala Kalou (Lord Koimala) reigned as King Maanaabarana, was a king of the Homa (Lunar) Dynasty, which some historians call House of Theemuge. Since Koimala's reign, the Maldive throne was also known as the Singaasana (Lion Throne). Before then,and in some situations since, it was also known as the Saridhaaleys (Ivory Throne). Some Historians accredit Koimala of freeing the Maldives from Tamil Chola rule.

Several foreign travellers, mainly Arabs, had written about a kingdom over the Maldives ruled by a queen. This kingdom pre-dated Koimala's reign. al-Idrisi referring to the writings of earlier writers mentions the name of one of the queens. Her name was Damahaar. She was a member of the Aadeetta (Sun) dynasty. The Homa (Lunar) dynasty sovereigns inter-married with the Aaditta (Sun) Dynasty. This was why the formal titles of Maldive kings until 1968 contained references to "kula sudha ira" which meant "descended from the Moon and the Sun". No official records exist of the Aadeetta dynasty's reign.

The conversion to Islam is mentioned in the ancient edicts written in copper plates from the end of the 12th century AD. There is also a locally well-known legend about a foreign saint who subdued a demon known as Rannamaari. Dhovemi Kalaminja who succeeded Koimala converted to Islam in the year AD 1153.

Over the centuries, the islands have been visited and their development influenced by sailors and traders from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt to form a republic, but the sultanate was re-imposed. In 1959, objecting to Nasir's centralism, the inhabitants of the three southernmost atolls protested against the government. They formed the United Suvadive Republic and elected Abdullah Afeef as president and Hithadhoo as capital of this republic.

Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until 25 July 1965.

Since Independence in 1965

The agreement giving the Maldives full political independence was signed on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan by Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, Prime Minister and on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by Sir Michael Walker British Ambassador designate to the Maldive Islands. The Ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Colombo on 26 July 1965. After independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another three years under King Muhammad Fareed Didi. On 11 November 1968, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by a republic under the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir, although this was a cosmetic change without any significant alteration in the structures of government. The official name of the country was changed from Maldive Islands to the Maldives. Tourism began to be developed on the archipelago by the beginning of the 1970s.

However, political infighting during the '70s between President Nasir's faction and other popular political figures led to the 1975 arrest and exile of elected prime minister Ahmed Zaki to a remote atoll. Economic decline followed the closure of the British airfield at Gan and the collapse of the market for dried fish, an important export. With support for his administration faltering, Nasir fled to Singapore in 1978, allegedly with millions of dollars from the treasury.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom began a 30-year role as President in 1978, winning six consecutive elections without opposition. His election was seen as ushering in a period of political stability and economic development in view of Gayoom's priority to develop the poorer islands. Tourism flourished and increased foreign contact spurred development in the islands. However, his rule is controversial, with some critics saying Gayoom was an autocrat who quelled dissent by limiting freedoms and political favoritism.

A series of coup attempts (in 1980, 1983, and 1988) by Nasir supporters and business interests tried to topple the government without success. While the first two attempts met with little success, the 1988 coup attempt involved a roughly 200-person force of the PLOTE Tamil militant group who seized the airport and caused Gayoom to flee from house to house until the intervention of 1600 Indian troops airlifted into Malé restored order.

In November 1988, a group of Maldivians headed by Muhammadu Ibrahim Lutfee, a small time businessman, used Tamil mercenaries from Sri Lanka to stage a coup against President Gayoom. After an appeal by the Maldivian government for help, the Indian military intervened against the mercenaries in order to reinstate Gayoom in power. On the night of 3 November 1988, the Indian Air Force airlifted a parachute battalion group from Agra and flew them non-stop over 2,000 kilometres to the Maldives. The Indian paratroopers landed at Hulule and secured the airfield and restored the Government rule at Malé within hours. The brief, bloodless operation, labelled Operation Cactus, also involved the Indian Navy.

2004 Tsunami

On 26 December 2004, following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the Maldives were devastated by a tsunami. Only nine islands were reported to have escaped any flooding, while fifty-seven islands faced serious damage to critical infrastructure, fourteen islands had to be totally evacuated, and six islands were decimated. A further twenty-one resort islands were forced to shut down due to serious damage. The total damage was estimated at over 400 million dollars or some 62% of the GDP. A total of 108 people, including six foreigners, reportedly died in the tsunami. The destructive impact of the waves on the low-lying islands was mitigated by the fact there was no continental shelf or land mass upon which the waves could gain height. The tallest waves were reported 14 feet high.

2008 election of President Nasheed and Vice President Dr. Waheed

Violent protests in 2004 and 2005 led to a series of reforms by President Gayoom to legalize political parties and improve the democratic process. Multi-party, multi-candidate elections were held on 9 October 2008, with 5 candidates running against incumbent Gayoom. A 28 October runoff election with Gayoom against Mohamed Nasheed as the Presidential Candidate, a former journalist and political prisoner who is a staunch critic of the Gayoom regime, and Dr. Waheed as the Vice Presidential Candidate- a former head of UNICEF and critic of Gayoom in the early 90s. This election resulted in a 54-percent majority for Nasheed and Dr. Waheed. In a speech prior to handing over power to his successor at 12 a.m. on 11 November 2008, Gayoom said: "I deeply regret any actions on my part ... (that) led to unfair treatment, difficulty or injustice for any Maldivian." At the time, Gayom was the longest serving leader of any Asian nation.

Mohamed Nasheed became the first President to be elected by a multi-party democracy in the Maldives, and Dr. Waheed was the first elected Vice President in the Maldives. This ended the 30 year rule of President Gayoom.

The new government of President Nasheed faces restoring the islands and economy after the 2004 tsunami, addressing concerns for the effect of global warming on the future of the islands, unemployment, government corruption, and increasing drug use, especially among youth. On 10 November 2008, Nasheed announced an intent to create a sovereign wealth fund with money earned from tourism that could be used to purchase land elsewhere for the Maldives people to relocate should rising sea levels due to climate change inundate the country. The government is reportedly considering locations in Sri Lanka and India due to cultural and climate similarities, and as far away as Australia.

Popular Maldives Resort Hotels
Hulhule Island Hotel, Kai Logde, Kam Hotel, Mookai Hotel & Apartment, Relax Inn

Captivating Maldives Resort Hotel & Beach Resorts
Alimatha Aquatic Resort, Angaga Island Resort, Angsana Resort & Spa, Ari Beach Resort, Asdu Sun Island Athurugau Island Resort, Avi Island Resort, Bandos Island Resort, Banyan Tree Resort, Bathala Island Resort, Biyadoo Island Resort, Bodulhithi Coral Isle, Bolifushi Island, Club Med Farukolhufushi, Coco Palm Resort, Cocoa Island Resort, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Ellaidhoo Resort, Equator Village Resort, Eriyadu Island Resort, Fesdu Fun Island, Fihalohi Tourist Resort, Fullmoon Beach Resort, Fun Island Resort, Giraavaru Island Resort, Halaveli Holiday Village, Holiday Island Resort, Kandooma Tourist Resort, Kuramathi Village Resort, Lohifushi Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Thulhagiri Resort, Velavaru Tourist Resort, Vilamendhoo Island Resort

Maldives Beach Resorts with Water Bungalows
Ari Beach Resort, Baros Holiday Resort, Dhiggiri Tourist Resort, Kuramanthi Blue Lagoon Resort, Embudhu Resort, Fihalhohi Tourist Resort, Gangehi Island Resort, Hilton Maldives Resort on Rangali Island, Kuramathi Cottage Club, Kuredu Resort, Laguna Beach Resort, Lily Beach Resort, Meeru Island Resort, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Paradize Island Resort, Reethi Beach Resort, Royal Island Resort, Soneva Fushi Resort, Soneva Gili Resort & Spa, Sun Island Resort, Veligandu Island Resort, Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort

Maldives Family Villas / Rooms
Asdu Sun Island, Dhigufinolhu Island Resort, Embudhu Finolhu Island, Filitheyo Resort, One & Only Kanuhura Island Resort, Medhufushi Resort

Maldives Beach Front Bungalows
Helengeli Tourist Village

Hotels & Beach Resorts in Maldives, Asia
Addoo Atoll (Seenu) Beach Resorts, Alifu Atoll (Ari Atoll) Beach Resorts, Faadhippolhu Atoll (Lhaviyani) Beach Resorts, Mulaku Atoll (Meemu) Beach Resorts, North Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, North Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, North Nilandhoo Atoll (Faafu) Beach Resorts, South Ari Atoll (Alifu) Beach Resorts, South Maalhosmadulu Atoll (Baa) Beach Resorts, South Male Atoll (Kaafu) Beach Resorts, South Nilandhoo Atoll (Dhaalu) Beach Resorts, Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll) Beach Resorts

Maldives Travel Guide also showcase a unique blend of travel and leisure photos and stories, updates, events and announcements about roads, shopping malls, hotels, bed and breakfast, restaurants, groceries and more. Not just a travel guide but one-of-a-kind discovery of people and places.