ISSUE 03 | MARCH 2020
Maldives
BIKERS CLUB ® MAGAZINE | PAGE 57
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"A Tropical Heaven For Honeymooners"
History
The archipelago was inhabited as early as 5th
Century BC, by Buddhists believed to be from
Sri Lanka and Southern India. Located in the prime
marine route while crossing the Indian Ocean,
Maldives used to be the replenishment centre for
food, water, coir and other equipment. Maldivians
were followers of Buddhism, as told by the
Buddhist ruins excavated from these islands.
Ancient relics have also suggested traces of
Hinduism and Paganism, since inception. It was in
1153 AD that Maldivians embraced Islam.
Ibn Battuta, a North African traveller was known to
have resided here. Maldives was not free from
foreign aggressions invaded by the Portuguese in
1558 who reigned for 15 years, followed by the
Dutch of Ceylon in the 17th century and finally
became a British Protectorate in 1887 after the
British took over Ceylon. It was only in 1932
that democratic regime was adopted.
In 1953, the first Republic was proclaimed, but
Maldives had absolute political independence
from the British in 1965. Ibrahim Nasir was
appointed the first President of the Second
Republic of Maldives. Subsequent to this, the
island nations have developed tremendously
over the year, exploiting various economic
opportunities and opening its doors to
tourism.
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