| The islands were settled
by Buddhist peoples from southern Asia. Islam was introduced in the 12th
century. The Portuguese traded at Male in the latter half of the 15th century.
Although the islands were ruled by a local sultan, European influence was
established over the area, first by the Dutch in the 17th century and later
by the British. In 1887 the Maldives Islands formally became a British protectorate.
In 1965 the Maldives achieved independence as a sultanate, and in 1968 the
people voted to establish a republic. In 1988, Indian troops were called
in to foil a coup attempt by Tamil mercenaries. |