100,000 Leagues Under the Sea

History of Lakshadweep

The earliest references indicates that the Lakshadweep Islands are part of the ancient Dravidian country. The first settlement on these islands were during the Cheraman Peruman, the last Chera king of Kerala. Recent archaelogical evidence has established that Budhist settlements also had existed in the islands as early as the 6th or 7th century

In the 17th century, Kolathiri of Kannur gifted the islands to Ali Rajahs/Arakkal Bheevi. Thereafter they were the rulers of the islands. Later, the Portugese took over the islands to make gains out of the coir production. They were, however, expelled by the islanders. The Arab Traveller Ibn Batuta has given indepth details of the islands in his stories.

In the year 1787, Tipu Sultan captured the Amindivi group of islands (Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat and Bitra). After the Third Anglo-Mysore War, these Islands were attached to South Canara. The rest of the islands came under the suzerainty of the Arakkal family of Cannanore in return for a payment of annual tribute. The British took over the administration of those islands for non-payment of arrears. These islands were attached to the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj.

After independence in the year 1947, the Lakshadweep Islands came under the direct rule of the Government of India, in the status of a Union Territory. Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory under the Union Government. It is placed under the administrative control of an Administrator.

General Elections are conducted in Lakshadweep. Shri P.M. Sayeed represented the islanders in the Parliament for a long period. Shri Hamdulla Sayeed, 27, is the present MP from Lakshadweep Constituency.

Institutions and departments are separately formed and functioning in the Lakshadweep for providing Medical services, Education, Training and Employment etc. A Fisheries Department is established in Lakshadweep for imparting the required training to the local people in fishing (Lakshadweep Tuna Fishing), fish processing and export. Ice Plants have also been build in the Lakshadweep to support the fish processing units.

Considering the strategical location and for ensuring adequate safeguard, a full fledged Naval Base has been established in the Lakshadweep

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