History The Maldives

 Historical dates

About 2000 BC: inhabitants of the Maldives originated from north-west of India.
1153: the country converted to Islam.
1517: the Portuguese set up a trade post at Malé.
1573: Sultan Thakunufaanu liberated the Maldives from Portuguese domination.
1645 to 1796: the country is under Dutch protectorate.
1796: start of British protectorate officialised in 1887.
1932: the first constitution is proclaimed. The Sultanate becomes a constitutional monarchy.
1953: the Sultanate is abolished and the second Constitution is adopted. The first President of the Republic is elected.
1965: proclamation of independence of the Maldives.
1968: third Constitution adopted and Amir Ibrahim Nasi elected president.
1978: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is elected president.
1988: attempted coup d'état.
1998: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom re-elected for the fifth time.
2005: multiparty politics introduced in the country.
August 2007: President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom wins landslide victory at the referendum held on the institution of a parliamentary system in the country (whereas he had opted for a presidential system). 2008: Mohammed Nasheed, candidate of the Maldivian Democratic Party, wins the elections, ending Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency of thirty years, which made him the longest-ruling head of government in Asia.