History of the Maldives
The history of the Maldives covers the history and prehistory of the present state of the Maldives, which consists of about 1,190 islands southwest of India are located in the Indian Ocean.
Settlement history
About the first settlement of the Maldives are still only found conflicting information in the scientific literature. One theory suggests that the colonization of the Maldives BC began in the 5th century, when Buddhist fishermen settled from India and Ceylon on the islands.
Historical religious influences
The archaeological investigations of Thor Heyerdahl in 1985, according to, in addition to Buddhist temples also references to Hindu beliefs and sun worship cults are found. Heyerdahl believes that these religions have a long period of time exists in parallel.
By Arab travelers, the Maldives were converted to Islam in 1153. The Maldives were ruled by sultans and both of sultanas. The most famous of them was the Sultana Khadeeja Rehendi Kabaidhi Kilege who ruled the country for 35 years in the 14th century. Even today, women play a major role in the public life of the Maldives. Thus, half of the students, many businessmen, civil servants and ministers are women. However, the matriarchal influence is not nearly as pronounced as in the Muslim Minangkabau on Sumatra.
Colonial history
In the course of discovery and conquest travel by Europeans in the 16th century, the Portuguese occupied the islands of the Maldives in 1558. The Portuguese tried to Christianize the islands forcibly and thereby met with fierce resistance. In 1573 they were expelled by a revolt of Maldivians led by Muhammad Thakurufaan again. This event is now recognized as a national holiday, Muhammad Thakurufaan revered as a national hero.
Middle of the 17th century did the Netherlands from the Maldivian Sultanate a protectorate after they had occupied the neighboring Ceylon. However, the " patronage " meant no direct interference in local affairs, which were still governed by traditional laws. When the Netherlands lost to the British in Ceylon in 1796, came the Maldives under British influence.
It was not until 1887 governed the British formally their dominance through a contract with the Sultanate of Malé. It accepted the Sultan the influence of the British over foreign relations and defense matters of the island kingdom. However, the British were still on the main island of Malé not present and did without influencing the internal affairs of the Maldives.
1932, the first democratic constitution of the Maldives was announced. This was followed later, on January 1, 1953, the proclamation of the Republic. In the same year, on 21 August 1953 the sultanate was restored.
History of the modern state
On 26 July 1965, Maldives gained full independence as a member of the Commonwealth. Only two days later her full membership at the United Nations was confirmed.
The reintroduction of the Republic followed on November 11, 1968, came to the exit from the Commonwealth. It has drawn up a new constitution. On March 29, 1976, the last British troops left the island Gan.
On November 11, 1978, the dictatorial ruling President Amir Ibrahim Nasir was voted out. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, succeeded him.
"With special status", the Maldives were recorded again in 1982 in the Commonwealth. Since June 1985, the Maldives is again a full member of the Commonwealth.
President Gayoom was 1983, 1988 and 1993, reelected for another 5 years. In his fourth term of office came in 1998 a new constitution in force. In October 2003, he was re-elected with 90.28 % of votes.
1988 coup about 160 mercenaries against the government and occupied the capital. The Indian armed forces intervened and provided within 20 hours, the power restores.
On 29 October 2008, the then only 41 -year-old Mohamed Nasheed was elected in the first democratic election in the Maldives as the new President. President Gayoom accepted his defeat. After public protests, and after a mutiny by rebellious police Mohamed Nasheed resigned as President on 7 February 2012 from his office. Mohammed Waheed Hassan became his successor, who was the Vice- President in office since 2008. He puts on the same day from his oath of office. On September 7, 2013 made new elections, the run-off election on 16 November won the challenger Abdulla Yameen. He was sworn in on November 17, 2013 as president.