Key moments in Maldivian history — from the first settlements to the present day.
c. 500 BCE
Archaeological evidence suggests the Maldives were inhabited by seafaring peoples from the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka, drawn by the islands' strategic position and abundant marine resources.
1153 CE
The Buddhist king Dhovemi converts to Islam, establishing the faith that would define Maldivian culture. The event marks the beginning of the Islamic era and coral-stone mosque building.
12th–16th Century
The Maldives develops as a centralized sultanate with a unique Dhivehi script (Thaana), flourishing trade in cowrie shells, coir rope, and dried fish across the Indian Ocean.
1558–1573
Portuguese forces briefly occupy Malé before being expelled by national hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his companions — an event celebrated annually as National Day.
1887
The Maldives becomes a British protectorate while maintaining internal self-governance under the sultanate. British influence introduces new administrative structures.
1965
The Maldives gains full independence from Britain on July 26, now celebrated as Independence Day — a defining moment of national sovereignty.
1968
The sultanate is abolished and the Republic of Maldives is proclaimed, beginning a new chapter in the nation's political history.
1972
The first tourist resort opens on Kurumba Island, transforming the Maldivian economy and bringing the archipelago to global attention.
2008
A new constitution establishes multi-party democracy, marking a significant shift in the nation's governance and civil society.
Today
As the Maldives navigates modernization and climate challenges, initiatives like Mahaldeeb work to document and protect the cultural heritage that defines the nation.