马尔代夫属于葡萄牙吗英语(Is Maldives a Former Portuguese Territory)

Is Maldives a Former Portuguese Territory?

When it comes to the history of Maldives, there are many theories and stories revolving around it. One of the most popular speculations is the connection between Maldives and Portugal. This has been a long-standing debate as many historians claim that Maldives was once a Portuguese territory. However, this theory has been challenged several times as there is no solid evidence to prove it true.

The first recorded contact between Maldives and Portugal was in 1506 when a Portuguese fleet under the command of Louren?o de Almeida arrived in Malé, the capital city of Maldives. The Portuguese fleet was on their way to the Spice Islands in Indonesia, but they stopped in Maldives to rest and repair their ships. During their stay in Maldives, they established a friendly relationship with the Maldivian king and exchanged gifts.

After this initial encounter, historians claim that the Portuguese established a trading post in Maldives and gained control over the archipelago. The Portuguese used Maldives as a strategic location to trade spices, coir, and cowry shells. However, there are no written records or documents to prove this claim. Even the Portuguese chronicles from that time do not mention Maldives as a Portuguese territory.

Despite the lack of evidence, there are some historical artifacts found in Maldives that suggest a Portuguese influence. For example, the Hukuru Miskiy mosque in Malé has a tombstone that dates back to 1558 and has Portuguese inscriptions on it. Additionally, there are some Portuguese coins found in the Maldives that date back to the 16th century.

Another argument used to support the claim that Maldives was a Portuguese territory is the introduction of Catholici in the islands. It is believed that the Portuguese introduced Catholici to Maldives during their stay and that some Maldivians converted to Christianity. However, this has been disputed as there are no written records or documents that prove this theory.

In conclusion, while many historians claim that Maldives was once a Portuguese territory, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The lack of written records and documents make it difficult to prove this theory true. However, the friendly relationship between the Portuguese fleet and the Maldivian king, the artifacts with Portuguese influence, and the introduction of Catholici in Maldives do suggest some Portuguese influence in the islands.