Maldives is a beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka. Its white sandy islands, evergreen forestry, secluded beaches, crystal blue waters and open skies has made it a paradise on earth sought out by many for their own slice of heaven to relax and unwind away from the trials and worries of daily life.
Sri Lanka was a colony for over 200 years, first under the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British. Within such close proximity it was only a matter of time until the colonizers sought to capture Maldives as a colony. Though it is low in cultivation of rubber and spices in contrast to Sri Lanka with much less land area, it served as a good base to harbor ships to and from Sri Lanka along the Silk Route and have a stronger hold over South East Asia including the coast of India and so would have been a driving reason for the Portuguese to capture Maldives in 1558 attacking and killing the Sultan of Maldives to establish power as a colony.
The Portuguese though were only able to hold power for a mere 15 years as in the year 1573 Muhammad Thakurufaanul Auzam raid the capital city of Male with his followers and seized power ending the Portuguese colonial rule over Maldives. This day is celebrated as the National Day of Maldives on the 1st of the month of Rabee ul Awwal, or the third month of Hijree as per the Islamic Calendar. Parades and route marches jostle the streets of Male and large islands in celebration with music and dance with people dressed in colorful costumes. It should be noted that the National Day should not be confused with Independence Day, which is celebrated on the 26th of July when Maldives gained independence from the British Colonizers in 1965.
For a slice of heaven, visit Adaaran Club Rannalhi, a Maldives resort like no other where the buildings perfectly complement the stunning landscape creating a tranquil and serene ambiance to help you relax and unwind. It is a Maldives hotel that offers the best of man and nature to make it the dream holiday with sun, sand and surf.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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