The Maldives is in a central location and has seen many ancient visitors set foot on its islands from the Sinhalese descendants of King Vijaya in India to the English from Britain. Here are a few historical facts you might find interesting;
The early ages
The original Maldivians have not left ruins behind to research further into their way of life, however, it is presumed that houses and other forms of shelter were built from wood and palms, in other words, materials that decay quickly due to the salt in the air. Various communities came to the islands in ancient time, the Tamils from Tamilakam and the fisherman from the northwest shores of Sri Lanka are some of them. The Giraavaru people are also mentioned in folklore. Visit the museum located a short distance away from some of the best hotels in Maldives, the likes of Adaaran Club Rannalhi.
The Buddhist era
The people of Maldives usually practised the Hindu religion worshipping the God Surya. However, Buddhism managed to make its way to this land in the 3rd century BC during the rule of King Asoka in India. Many hoary stupas and monasteries belonging to this period are now part of the archaeological value of the nation.
The Islamic era
The Arabs who came to trade in the Indian Ocean were what inspired the religion of Islam in the Maldives. The last Buddhist King who was called Dhovemi converted to Islam during the 12th century and thus changed his title to Sultan. The cause for this sudden change in religion is the Sunni Muslim visitor Abu al Barakat.
The beginning of the Colonial Era
In 1558, the Portuguese entered the islands and set up a trading post here, the foreigners tried to influence the locals into Christianity which led to an upheaval by the locals led by Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam and his 2 brothers ending the Portuguese period. The Dutch made their way to the Maldives in the 17th century and thereafter was replaced by the British who ousted the Dutch from Ceylon and established their power over trade activities here too.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+