History of Maldives - The Dhivehin, as the islanders are called, are a mixed people of Aryan, Negroid, Sinhalese, Dravidian and Arab descent.
The
History of Islands of Maldives were under Muslim control from the 12th century, and then Portuguese
rule from 1518 before becoming a dependency of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1645. They
became a British Protectorate, with an elected Sultan as head of state, in 1887.
The
History of Islands of Maldives became a republic, briefly, in 1953-4 and achieved full independence
as a sultanate in 1965.
Three years later, the Republic of the Maldive Islands
was re-established and Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister since 1954, became President.
In 1978, President Nasir decided against a third term as President, and was
succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Gayoom – the dominant figure in the islands’ politics since then – established a ‘Citizens’ Special Majlis’ (legislature), which began work in 1980 with a brief to revise the constitution.
After 17 years of work, the new model constitution was ratified by President Gayoom and came into effect in January 1998.
In 1985, the History of Islands of Maldives was a founder member of the
South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and hosted regional
summits in 1990 and 1997.
Islam is a central feature of the country’s life and is now supervised by a Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, working under direct presidential control.
With no formal political parties, the Maldives’ politics are personality based; no credible threat to Gayoom has emerged in the 25 years during which he has held power, not least because dissent is firmly repressed by Gayoom’s security forces.
Maldives History 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 matter of controversy.
It is believed that a Moroccan traveler, Abu Barakaat Yusuf al-Barbary was responsible for this conversion, but another version credits Sheikh Yusuf Shamsuddin of Tabriz, a renowned scholar.
From very early times, these islands were famous for two products, the money cowrie (cyprea moneta) and Maldive fish.
The cowrie was prized as a form of currency in many areas of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, and the Maldives was the mint of the region.
Large quantities of the cowrie were exported all over the world, and traders would call over to collect shiploads in exchange for rice, spices and luxury items.
Contact us for Prior Booking at our 24 Hours desk on the following mobile Nos: +91-99428 99555 , 98424 30308 , 99425 87000 . Email Id : info@pearlstourism.com, Fax No: 0422 - 2331605.
History Tours Reservation Form
