When most people think of the Maldives, they imagine pristine beaches, overwater bungalows, and luxury resorts. But beneath its postcard-perfect surface lies a rich and complex history that has shaped this island nation into what it is today. From ancient maritime trade routes to colonial conquests and modern-day climate crises, the Maldives has always been at the crossroads of global forces.
In this deep dive into Maldivian history, we’ll explore how this small archipelago played a surprisingly big role in world events—and how it now faces existential threats from rising sea levels.
The Maldives’ earliest inhabitants were likely seafaring people from South India and Sri Lanka who arrived around 300 BCE. These settlers relied on fishing and coconut cultivation, but their real advantage was their strategic location along ancient trade routes.
By the 2nd century CE, Arab, Persian, and Chinese merchants were stopping in the Maldives to exchange goods like cowrie shells (used as currency in Africa and Asia), dried fish, and coconut fiber ropes. The islands became a crucial pit stop for ships traveling between the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.
Before Islam arrived, the Maldives was a Buddhist kingdom. Archaeological finds, including ancient stupas and statues, suggest that Buddhism thrived here between the 4th and 12th centuries. The conversion to Islam in 1153 CE marked a major turning point in Maldivian identity.
According to legend, an Arab preacher named Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari converted the Maldivian king to Islam, leading to the establishment of a sultanate. This shift aligned the islands more closely with the Islamic world, influencing language (Dhivehi, written in Thaana script), law, and culture.
In 1558, the Portuguese briefly occupied the Maldives, seeking control over Indian Ocean trade. Their rule was brutal but short-lived—local hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu led a guerrilla war and expelled them in 1573. This resistance remains a proud moment in Maldivian history.
By the 19th century, the British Empire saw the Maldives as a key naval outpost. In 1887, the sultanate signed a protectorate agreement, allowing Britain to handle foreign affairs while local rulers maintained internal control. This arrangement lasted until independence in 1965.
The Maldives’ economy transformed in the 1970s with the advent of tourism. The first resort, Kurumba Village, opened in 1972, and today, tourism accounts for over 60% of GDP. While this brought wealth, it also created tensions over land use, cultural erosion, and wealth inequality.
The Maldives has oscillated between democracy and authoritarianism. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ruled for 30 years (1978–2008) before the country’s first democratic elections in 2008. However, recent years have seen backsliding, with crackdowns on dissent and allegations of corruption.
The Maldives is the world’s lowest-lying country, with 80% of its land less than 1 meter above sea level. Rising oceans and coral bleaching threaten its very existence. Former President Mohamed Nasheed famously held an underwater cabinet meeting in 2009 to highlight the crisis.
The Maldives’ history is a testament to resilience—from resisting colonial powers to adapting to globalization. But its greatest challenge is yet to come. As world leaders debate climate policies, the Maldives serves as a stark reminder: for some nations, climate change isn’t just a political issue—it’s a matter of survival.
Will the world act in time to save this island paradise? Only history will tell.