Sultanate of the Maldive Islands

Sultanate of the Maldive Islands was a state in Tamil south and Sri Lanka (South Asia) that lasted from c. 1153 to 1887 CE, about 734 years. The timeline colours it by the language of its rulers: Indo-Aryan (Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala).

The last Buddhist king, Dhovemi, converted to Islam in 1153 (copper plates give 1193) and took the title of sultan. Its sultans ruled from Malé, through a 15-year period of Portuguese rule and later Dutch hegemony, until Britain took charge of foreign affairs.

See Sultanate of the Maldive Islands on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1153 to 1887 CE
Duration: 734 years
Type: State
Region: Tamil south and Sri Lanka, South Asia
Language of its rulers: Indo-Aryan
Capital: Malé

Sources

The dates and description above were checked against Wikipedia: Sultanate of the Maldive Islands, Wikipedia: History of the Maldives.

Became

Maldives under British protection 1887 to 1965 CE

Events in South Asia during its time

1192 Second Battle of Tarain
1200 Nalanda sacked
1398 Timur sacks Delhi
1498 Vasco da Gama reaches Calicut
1526 First Battle of Panipat
1565 Battle of Talikota
1632 Taj Mahal begun
1739 Nader Shah sacks Delhi

Neighbours in South Asia

Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE
Mughal Empire 1526 to 1857 CE
British Raj 1858 to 1947 CE
Ahom Kingdom 1228 to 1826 CE
Kingdom of Mysore c. 1399 to 1950 CE
Pala Empire c. 750 to 1161 CE
Kingdom of Kandy 1469 to 1815 CE
Delhi Sultanate 1206 to 1526 CE
Hoysala Empire c. 1026 to 1343 CE
Vijayanagara Empire 1336 to 1646 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1600 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe

Questions

When did Sultanate of the Maldive Islands exist?

c. 1153 to 1887 CE, about 734 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Sultanate of the Maldive Islands?

Tamil south and Sri Lanka, in South Asia. Its capital was Malé.

What language did the rulers of Sultanate of the Maldive Islands speak?

Indo-Aryan. This family includes Vedic, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Sinhala.

What came after Sultanate of the Maldive Islands?

Maldives under British protection.