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The
chronicles of the foreign travelers like Al Biruni, Abu
Zayad and Marco Polo contain ample mention of the virgin
green Lakshwadeep islands that lie along the coast of
Kerala. The earliest testament to the history of Lakshwadeep
is the Vaylur inscription that refer to Narasimha Varman
II's conquest of these islands.
Rajarajendra Chola, one of the greatest Chola monarchs too
took over the islands and added them to his burgeoning
territory. Apart from the powerful ancient Indian monarchs,
foreigners too arrived in the picturesque and isolated
islands and tried to add the islands and thereby augment
their territory. The |
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islands
were apparently thoroughly explored by the British. However
the first foreigner to set foot on the shores of Lakshwadeep
was none other than the legendary Vasco da Gama.
The Portuguese invasion gave way to two significant episodes
in the history of Lakshwadeep. Firstly, the islands became a
noted hub of maritime trade. Secondly, the years of plunder,
pillage, oppression and tyranny that would be a hallmark of
the island's history ensued.
The Amindivi archipelago of islands comprising of Kadmat,
Kiltan, Amini, Chetlat and Bitra islets were a part of Tipu
Sultan's kingdom until they passed on to the British hands
after the third Anglo Mysore War. Decades later, in 1956, in
accordance with the States Reorganization Act, the islands
were estranged from the central administrative unit of
Madras Presidency's Malabar District and coalesced to form
an independent union territory.
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