Home » Travel Guides » Lakshadweep

History of Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep's history has had mostly Malayalam influence from Kerala, the British, the Portuguese and Tipu Sultan. Read below to see who played a part in this Island's past.  

Chera Dynasty 

According to a popular legend, Cheraman Perumal of the Chera dynasty (which ruled Tamil Nadu and Kerala) left for Mecca during the 8th Century AD after converting himself to a Muslim. He took the name of Tajudeen.

Relatives sent a group to search for him on ships, but they were destroyed near Bangaram Islands. The search party returned back after repairing the ships but were rewarded the right to settle in Lakshadweep Islands for their troubles.

Vasco-da-Gama and the British

Around the 12th century AD, Lakshadweep came under the control of the Ali Rajas of Cannanore.  

Vasco da Gama was the first westerner on the island in the historical past. But the British were the first to explore the islands. The islands are also mentioned in great detail in the stories of the Arab traveler Ibn Batuta.

The Portuguese and Tipu Sultan

The Portuguese established a fort on the islands in May 1498, but the inhabitants soon rose up and expelled them. The Amindivi group of islands (Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat and Bitra) came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787.

British take over

They passed on to British control after the Third Anglo-Mysore War and were attached to the South Canara (Dakshina Kannada) district of erstwhile Mysore.

Cannanore Influence and the British take it again

The rest of the islands came into the custody of the Arakkal family of Cannanore in return for an annual payment.

Subsequently, due to non-payment of dues, the British took over the administration of those islands were attached to the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency.

Becomes a Union territory of India

In 1956, this region was separated to form a new Union Territory by combining all the islands.