Early history The
early human migration from
Africa to the
Andaman Islands through India was thought by scientists to include Lakshadweep because of its location between Africa and the southwestern region of India. However, later
genetic studies indicated that the majority of human ancestry in the islands derived from
South Asia. Archaeological evidence from
Kalpeni indicate the existence of human settlements in the region from at least 1500 BCE. The islands are mentioned in the
Buddhist Jataka tales, dated to 3rd century CE. Archeological evidence indicates the spread of Buddhism to the islands during the time of
Sanghmitra, the daughter of emperor
Ashoka, presumed to have visited the island.
Tamil Sangam literature Patiṟṟuppattu mentions that the region was ruled by the
Cheras, one of the
three kingdoms of ancient
Tamilakam, in the
Sangam period (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). The islands have been known to sailors since at least 1st century CE, as indicated in the
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. It contains an anonymous reference to the islands off the
coast of Damirica as a source of a
turtle shell. In 2nd century CE, Greek geographer
Ptolemy mentions 1378 islands located opposite to
Taprobane (Sri Lanka) with the names of some of the islands given as Kanathara (
Kavaratti), Argidion (
Agatti), Ammine (
Amini), and Monache (
Minicoy). The islands later became part of a trade route with the
Roman Empire, with archeological evidence from as early as 2nd century CE obtained from
Kadamath and
Androth islands. Other travelers and historians such as
Ammianus Marcellinus (4th century CE),
Faxian (5th century CE), and
Cosmas (6th century CE) mention the islands in their writings. Inscriptions from
Vayalur (in
Tamil Nadu) indicates a
naval battle fought during the reign of
Narasimhavarman II (680–720 CE), which resulted in the capture of the territory by the
Pallavas of
Kanchi in the late 7th century CE. Epigraphs indicate the capture of the region of
Kavadi Dvepa (presumably Kavaratti) by the
Kadambas in the 10th century CE. Chola inscriptions from
Thanjavur, indicate that the region was captured by
Rajendra Chola I in 1018-19 CE. In the late 11th century CE, it became part of a small Hindu kingdom before being passed on to the
Kingdom of Kannur in early 12th century CE. The islands are mentioned in the writings of travelers
Marco Polo and
Ibn Battuta in the 13th–14th century CE.
European colonization In the late 15th century CE, the islands came under the control of the
Portuguese as a source of
coir for their industries. The native islanders revolted against the Portuguese and expelled them in 1545 CE. In the mid 16th century CE, all inhabited islands were conferred as
jagir (land grant) to the ruling family of
Kannur by the
Chirakkal family of
Kolathiri to grant protection from the
Portuguese. The Aminidivi islands came under the rule of
Tipu Sultan of
Mysore Kingdom in 1787 CE and were later annexed to the
British Raj in 1799 CE after the
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. The British took over the administration of these islands in 1908 CE, citing the nonpayment of taxes, and attached it to the
Madras Presidency.
Post Independence After
Indian Independence from colonial British rule in 1947, the islands became part of the
Dominion of India, and later came under the administration of the
Madras State after the
Constitution of India was enacted in 1950. Following the
States Reorganisation Act (1956), the islands, which were earlier divided between the
South Canara and
Malabar districts of the Madras state, were organized into a separate
union territory administered by the
Government of India. The Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands were collectively renamed as the Lakshadweep islands on 1 November 1973. The territory has developed into a key
Indian naval establishment due to its strategic location near vital
shipping lanes from India to the
Middle East. == Geography ==