History of Lakshadweep

History of Lakshadweep can be drawn from 4th century A.D. People started residing on these islands (now?) only after the last king of Kerala, Cheraman Perusal’s’ sailors discovered Lakshadweep. After the king converted himself into Islam he behest Arabs to trade spices, during the same course he secretly went for a pilgrim at Mecca. As the army started looking for the king, one of their boats was caught in storm and hit to the islands of Bangaram. Thus, lead the discovery of other islands and finally Lakshadweep. The religion of islam had spread only after 7th C when St Ubaidullah, an adherent of Prophet Mohammed started propagating the religion. Later St ubaidullah married a local resident Hameedat Beebi.

Portugal’s entered Amini in 16th C. they started trading in local products like coir rope, which they used in to board their ships. Later Arakkal of Cannannore ruled the place. However since the residents were not happy in his reign they requested Tippu Sultan of Mangalore to take over the throne. After friendly negotiations with Tippu Sultan, Beebi of Arakkal handed over the administrative powers of five islands. However, British East India Company weighed down Tippu Sultan in Srirangapatnam battle in 1799. The British took over remaining island in 1854. Amins (Chieftains) were given limited legal powers under Lakshadweep Regulation in 1912. In 1947 British had to leave the land and in 1956 it was declared as union territory by Indian government. 1973, Lacadives, Minicoy and Amindivi were renamed as Lakshadweep.

They speak in…

Except Minicoy Malyalam is spoken on all islands. On Minicoy people communicate in Mahl and they write in Divehi, which is written like Arabic and has 24 alphabets. Ancient script of Lakshadweep was vattezhuthu. As influence of Islam increased in Lakshadweep Arabic script became more popular.

Religion:
Almost 93% of population in Lakshadweep is muslim. Muslims are mostly from Shafi School from the Sunni sect.