Buddists settle Maldives under the King Asoka. Their leader known as Sawamia The earliest mention of the Maldives, is in ancient Buddhist Jatakas and in Sri Lankan texts, which refer to events that occurred between 300 – 250 B.C. A reference in the Mahavansa indicates the arrival of a group of exiles in the Maldives around the period 300 B.C., at the same time as another group arrived in Sri Lanka. Linguistic research into the Dhivehi (Maldivian) language shows a divergence of Dhivehi from its mother language as early as the 2nd or 1st century B.C (Cain 2000), indicating that speakers of this idiom may have arrived in the Maldives prior to this period. The discovery of a Roman coin, identified as a Roman Republican Denarius of Caius Vibius Pansa minted at Rome in either 90 or 89 B.C. within a reliquary of a Buddhist stupa excavated during 1958 in the Maldives (Forbes 1982), gives rise to many questions. The next mention of Maldives occurs in records of Roman and Greek writers, covering the period 90 – 522 A.D., proving that the Maldives were known to travellers in the Mediterranean countries. In 362 A.D., Ammianus Marcellinus records that among other nations, the “Divis”(Maldivians) sent gifts to the Emperor Julian Ptolemy wrote of 1378 islands located around Taprobane, and listed some names, a few of which could be names of Maldivian islands. There was also a Chinese bronze coin, a cash-coin from the Northern Song Dynasty, struck under the Emperor T’ai Tsung in 990- 94 A.D (Mikkelsen 2000:21), indicating Chinese contacts in the 10th century. Palladius, Bishop of Helenopolis wrote of “a thousand other islands” called Maniolae (Maldives) that lie around Taprobane. He also writes of a magnetic stone that was located in the region. Buddhism had been well established in Kaashidhoo. Around 500 A.D. when cowrie shells spread to northern and central Europe, as shown by archaeological finds, they were also mentioned as trading products from Maldives A recently discovered inscription from the Maabudhuge archeological site, on the island of Landhoo in South Miladhunmadulu Atoll, is now thought to be the oldest script found in Maldives. The letters are inscribed on four sides of a block of coral, in a version of the Southern Brahmi script of the Pallava period, estimated to date back to the 6th century AD. The inscription is a mantra of Vajrayana Buddhism, a form of Buddhism that had existed in Maldives in ancient times. The stone may have been buried in the foundation of a religious building to ensure safety from evil spirits, a practice known to have been used during the pre-Islamic period. The letters show some resemblance to the later Eveyla Akuru. Chinese documents from 658 and 662 A.D. record visits to China from ambassadors of King Baladitya of Maldives, who brought gifts to the Emperor of China, consisting of products from their country. These documents also mention the dependence of Maldives as well as some other countries of the South Asian region on the ruler of South India, showing that at that time, there was an inter-dependence of these countries on the sub-continent, and that they had contacts with one another. The building of miniature stupas, and conducting of sacrificial ceremonies continued. Ancient Havitta (chaitya) ruin on Nilandhoo Island was built about 400 years before the conversion to Islam. Accurate geographical descriptions of Maldives are given. The erosion of some islands, the formation of new islands, and the migration of the populations from one to another, is described in detail. Sanskrit inscription of Vajrayana Buddhism written in the Nagari script and can be dated to the 9th century A.D. This inscription is on the cover of a coral stone casket Accurate geographical descriptions of Maldives are given. The earliest Maldivian script is Eveyla Akuru,the oldest examples of which can be found on the Vajrayana images and artifacts that may be datable from the 9th to the 10th century A.D. The Chola King Rajaraja I captured the two northernmost atolls of Maldives, Maliku Atoll (Minicoy) and Thiladhummathi. On the erosion and formation of some islands, migration of population are noted. Koimala Kalo arrives to Maldives. Specific date unknown Koimala Kalo settles at Maale with the permission of the Giraavaru people. Specific date unknown Koimala Kalo delcares himself as King upon completion of his throne in Maale Lunar Dynasty Founder of Lunar Dynasty King Mahaabarana (Koimala) defeated the Cholas, and brought them under Maldivian sovereignty. According to present information, Minicoy remained part of Maldives from then on until the early sixteenth century, when the island passed into the hands of the ruler of Cannannore. Yoosuf Gadir and his family arrived in Meedhoo on the 17 Ramadan, 519 A.H. [October 1125]. They stayed in the houses of Elhai Haaru Dhoraaboo and Kalhai Haaru. At that time the island was Buddhist. From discussions with Dhoraaboo , Yoosuf heard that in the capital Malé a virgin was being sacrificed to the Ocean Goddess, Rannamakaaru Devi (also known as Rannamaari), on the fifteenth night of the lunar month. The 'Gan Faiykolhu' states on the first conversion to islam. A headman of Meedhoo, Elhai Haaru Dhoraaboo was secretly converted to Islam Yoosuf's work led to the conversion of Chandu Haaru, the son of the island's Buddhist priest, Kalhai Haaru. Yoosuf Gadir converted Kalhai Haaru's son Chandu, and in August 1127 the young man led a group that smashed the statues in the temple. He was protected from other angry Meedhoo islanders by his father Kalhai, and then Kalhai himself converted to Islam two days later. Dhoraaboo took the Islamic name of his mentor Yoosuf and the further name 'el-Namrizi' in remembrance of the home town of the person who originally converted him to Islam. Meedhoo island's Buddhist priest, Kalhai Haaru embraces Islam Al Jawaliqi, writing in 1135 A.D., describes a queen named “Danhara”who wore a robe of gold fabric, rode on an elephant and was accompanied by her attendants and army. She was the ruler of the kingdom and lived on an island called Abannba (Male’), where the inhabitants were in great number. Dhovemi was the son of Henevi Maavaa Kilage the sister of the first King Koimala of all the Maldives. He ruled for 25 years, 12 years as a Bhuddist and 13 years after his conversion to Islam. The death of the Sultan is not recorded, but he is said to have disappeared in 1166 on a voyage to Mecca to perform the Hajj. In 1143/44, Yoosuf Gadir's wife Nuseibah died and during 1144/45 he and Dhoraaboo, now known as Yoosuf el-Namrizi, set out for Male' and other places in Maldives. Yoosuf Gadir and Yoosuf el-Namrizi set out for Malé and other places. Male' embraces Islam. While they were away from Meedhoo, Yoosuf el-Namrizi (Dhoraaboo) died after becoming a member of the Male' court with the title of 'Abu-el-Lisan'. The name possibly recognising his role as the interpreter of the conversion arguments of his Yemeni friend Yoosuf Gadir. It was during Ramadan in July 1166 that Gadir himself returned to Meedhoo after an absence of over 20 years. He passed away at night a few months later, in October the same year. Yoosuf el-Namrizi (Dhoraaboo) died after becoming a member of the Male' court with the title of 'Abu-el-Lisan'. The name possibly recognising his role as the interpreter of the conversion arguments of his Yemeni friend Yoosuf Gadir. It was during Ramadan in July 1166 that Gadir himself returned to Meedhoo after an absence of over 20 years. He passed away at night a few months later, in October the same year. Al Idrisi, writing in 1150 A.D. calls this chief island “Ambriya”. King Dhovemi converts to Islam The Aasaari Miskiiy, on the island of Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll, is the second oldest mosque in the country, built during the reign of the first sultan The Book of Ancient Meedhoo History' mentions the death of a Yooshau Gadir, great-grandson of Dhoraaboo and Nuseibah's younger brother Suleimi, in a battle in Hithadhoo island on northwest Addu atoll.It is not possible to date this battle nor is there any mention of the reasons for the war, but during this period the 'Isdhoo Loamfaanu' gives 1192 as the date of a battle on Isdhoo island in Laamu atoll, when the ruler of Male' attacked the island's Buddhist temple. Isdhoo Loamaafaanu written in 1195 A.D., also in the Eveyla script, was translated in 1986, and gives more information on existing customs. A description is given on how a dwelling for one of the eminent families of the island should be constructed, including instructions to cover the walls with Chinese silk. Isdhoo Loamaafaanu indicates that even by the late 12th century AD the Maldives had a systematically organised government and a judicial system. The Dan’bidhoo Loamaafaanu is written in the Eveyla script in old Dhivehi, and describes the conversion of the island of Dhan’bidhoo. Brother of Sulthan Dhinei I Brother of Sultan's Dhinei I and Dhinei II Brother of Sultan's Dhinei I, Dhinei II and Wadi Son of Sultan Wadi Son of Sultan Audha Brother of Sultan Hali II Son of Sultan Yoosuf I Eveyla Akuru has close affinities with Sinhala Elu and Tamil and Malayalam Vatteluttu scripts. As these scripts evolved from a common branch of Brahmi, there are strong similarities between Eveyla, Elu and the South Indian scripts Son of Sultan Yoosuf I Gan as the last place to convert to Islam is complete, thus making all Maldives under one religion Son of Sultan Salis Son of Sultan Omar I, deposed by sister Hukuru Miskiyy Built by Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddine Ibn Battuta visits Maldives Deposed her brother Sultan Ahmed Shihabuddine. Deposed herself by her first husband Mohamed el-Jameel Ibn Battuta served as chief justice in the Maldives Ibn Battuta flees Maldives on well founded suspicion of plotting a coup Ibn Battuta visit Maldives to meet his son and departs after a short stay. The Bodugalu Miskiy Loamaafaanu written First Husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by wife Khadijah. Second reign on assisination of dfirst husband Sultan Mohamed el-Jameel. Deposed for a second time by her second husband Abdullah. Second husband of Sultana Khadijah. Assassinated by wife Khadijah Third reign Daughter of Sultan Omar I, half sister of Sultana Khadijah. Deposed by husband Mohamed. Husband of Sultana Raadhafathi. Daughter of Sultan Mohamed I. Deposed by husband Abdullah. Husband of Sultana Dhaain. Former prime minister. Last of the Lunar Dynasty. Hilaaly Dinasty First of the Hilaaly Dynasty. Son of Sultan Hassan I. Deposed by his uncle Hussain. Brother of Sultan Hassan I. Assumed the throne after deposing his nephew Sultan Ibrahim I. Introduced the Islamic penal code. Possibly a member of the Lunar Dynasty Brother of Sultan Hassan II. Second reign, first reigned in 1398. Son of Sultan Osman I. Uncle of Sultan's Hassan I and Hussain I Son of Sultan Hassan I Son of Sultan Hassan I half brother of Sultan Yoosuf II. Son of Sultan Aboobakuru I. Deposed by Sayyid Mohamed Possible descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Deposed by Sultan Hasan III. Second reign. Son of Sultan Hassan III. Son of Sultan Hassan III. Son of Sultan Yoosuf II. Son of Sultan Omar II. Second reign. Grandson of Sultan Aboobakuru I. In 1558, two months and fourteen days after becoming king, sultan Ali ibn Abdul Rahman Vazir Auzam, crowned in the Dhivehi language as Siree Adha Siyaaka Kaththiri Maharadun, was martyred while battling against the infidel Europeans. Then for a third time, three more warships were sent to Malè loaded with christian soldiers and their weapons. Their leader was called Captain Adhiri Adhirin. Then for a third time, three more warships were sent to Malè loaded with christian soldiers and their weapons. Their leader was called Captain Adhiri Adhirin. Then for a third time, three more warships were sent to Malè loaded with christian soldiers and their weapons. Their leader was called Captain Adhiri Adhirin. The christians gathered in Malè and mounted a vigilant guard around the island as they waited for an attack from the moslem warriors. Soon Mohamed, the Great Takurufan, arrived near Malè but the christians' wariness kept him at bay. The king, Sultan Ghazi Mohamed Takurufan, was crowned under the Dhivehi name Siri Savadheetha Maha Radhun. The 'Gan Faiykolu', written on a thick plank in Dives Akuru