A brief history of the Maldives

The origins of the Maldivians are lost in history. Archaeological finds indicate that the islands were inhabited as early as 1500 BC, and there are tales of a legendary people called the Redin who may have been among the earliest of explorers. Attempts to investigate the origins of human settlement have been difficult, as little or no data exists and there is a lack of facilities or personnel to carry out research among a group of widely distributed islands. It is believed that permanent settlements were established around 500 BC by Aryan immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.

The early Maldivians were probably Buddhists or Hindus migrating from the Indian subcontinent. Building materials were often limited and each group built upon the remains of previous settlers, which may explain why many Maldivian mosques are orientated towards the sun, rather than Mecca.

Since the Maldives is located along the ancient marine trade routes from the West to the East, it was inevitable that early explorers and traders found themselves stopping either willingly (for supplies) or unwillingly (as a result of shipwrecks on the many reefs), and their influence can be seen to this day. This may explain why this early map mof the region showed to the islands in a disproportionately large scale! Their records serve as a useful guide to the history of these islands. It is known that Maldivians themselves ventured far beyond their shores, for Pliny records that Maldivian emissaries bore gifts for the Roman Emperor.

From 200 AD, visits by Arab traders were common due to the abundance of cowrie shells which were an international currency at the time. Huge quantities of cowrie shells were exported in exchange for rice, and spices. The islands also became an important trading destination for their fish. Maldive Fish was produced by boiling, smoking, curing and drying tuna to yield a nutritious, ebony-coloured and textured fillet with astonishing keeping qualities. It was an ideal source of protein for carrying on long sea voyages, and its rarity made it a prized delicacy in most of the Indian subcontinent, where it is a major ingredient in many dishes.

As trade along the sea routes blossomed, the Maldives became an important stop for Arab traders on the way to the Far East, and along with these traders came the influence of Islam. The legend of the conversion to Islam remains a popular tale and a matter of recent controversy. The conversion to Islam occurred in 1153 and Abu Al Barakat, a visiting north African Arab, became the first Sultan, (having taken the place of a sacrificial virgin in a religious rite) A series of 84 sultans and sultanas followed.

In the fifteenth century the Portugese took an interest when they invaded in 1558 and ruled until 1573 when they were overthrown by a local chief. In the 17th century, the Maldives came under the protection of the Dutch and later the British, but neither established a colony.

Merchants from Bombay set up warehouses and shops in the mid 1860’s, and soon acquired a monopoly on foreign trade. Sultan Mohammed Mueenuddin II, weary of the merchant’s control on the economy, combined with growth of British influence with the expansion of their Empire, signed an agreement with the British in 1867 which guaranteed the islands' full independence. The Maldives therefore became a British protectorate, in an unusual arrangement where the British ensured the defence of the islands yet were not involved in any way with the running of the country. The close relationships with the British ensured a period of peace and freedom from foreign interference. During the Second World War, The British had forward bases in the north and south of the archipelago.

In 1956, the British obtained consent to reopen the wartime base at Gan on Addu Atoll and the RAF began developing the base as a staging post, employing hundreds of Maldivians and relocating many Gan islanders. The appointment of Ibrahim Nasir in 1957 resulted in a review of the agreement and a demand for more rent and a shorter lease! This caused a rebellion amongst the locals who objected to Nasir’s demands that the British cease employing local labour. Influenced by the British presence they declared independence in 1962, but Nasir sent gunboats and the rebellion was quashed. Britain subsequently recognized the islands sovereignty and on 26th July 1965 the Maldives became fully independent and a Republic on November 11, 1968.

In 1968 the sultanate was again abolished following a referendum and a new republic inaugurated with Nasir as president. His rule ended in 1978 when, fearing for his life, he fled the country for Singapore. The reformer Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected president in his place. Gayoom has been in power ever since, surviving coup attempts in 1980 and 1988. He was nominated for a sixth five-year term in 2003, when his presidency was confirmed by an overwhelming referendum, in which he was the only candidate.

The last decade has seen rapid economic growth, and improvement in most social indicators. The main contributors to this growth have been the fishing industry, tourism and foreign aid. There are pressures for political liberalisation on one hand and for a more traditional Muslim way of life on the other. The government is also keen to strike a balance between preserving the environmental quality of the islands and further developing tourism and fishing.