Maldives

The Maldives was an island sultanate southwest of India and Sri Lanka, with its court at Male. Its rulers had embraced Islam after the conversion of King Dhovemi in 1153, and its islands traded in cowrie shells.

In 1558 the Portuguese killed Sultan Ali VI and occupied Male. Muhammad Thakurufaanu of Utheemu drove them out in 1573 and became sultan. The islands later came under Dutch influence from Ceylon; after Britain seized Ceylon in 1796, they entered the British orbit while retaining their own sultans.