History

The early history of the Maldives is enshrined in myth and legend. Archeological records indicate that the first visitors to the Maldives stepped ashore over 5000 years ago. According to folklore the Maldives was first colonized by an Indo-Aryan race between the fourth and fifth centuries B.C.

• 1st Century AD Roman manual of navigation Periplus Mari Erithraei mentions islands assumed to be Maldives.
• 2nd Century AD Ptolemy refers to Maldives in his Geography.
• 362 AD Roman historian records visit of delegation to Rome bearing gifts to Emperor Julian.
• 662 AD Historical Chinese document records the King of Maldives sent gifts to Chinese Emperor Kao-Tsung of Tang Dynasty.
• 1153 Maldives convert to Islam.
• 1558 Portuguese invade Maldives.
• 1573 Mohamed Thakurufaanu liberates Maldives from the Portuguese.
• 1752 The Malabars invade and rule for 3 months.
• 1887 Protectorate agreement with Great Britain.
• 1932 First constitution enacted.
• 1965 Independence from the British.
• 1953 The First Republic.
• 1954 Failure of the First Republic.
• 1968 End of the monarchy, beginning of the Second Republic.
• 1972 Development of first island resort.
• 1972 Arrival of first tourists to island resorts.