The story of Lakshadweep (Part 1)

 

India is a diversified country in several aspects such as language, culture, clothing, food, etc. Over the years, the largest democracy has lived up to its expectation in providing variety in all the expected departments. But the assortment of landforms that the subcontinent nation possesses doesn't always occupy the spotlight as it should. Even if the landforms are discussed, the islands are usually left behind as they do not have a huge general and political population as in the other parts of the country. 

Having over 1300 islands under administration, only around 700 of them are inhabited and have political attention. There have been several disputes that are solved and remain unsolved by India concerning the territory.

The islands of India have a unique history of being occupied by another country or even becoming one. Territories like "Katchatheevu" have been claimed by either sides and have been provided to the opponent. It is still a fact of disbelief that a piece of land that traditionally belonged to India since independence has been given away for lame reasons and is still used as a wicked political tool. (Will have to discuss the topic in another blog).

 

On the other hand, a group of 36 islands of about 32 sq.km in total with most of them being uninhabitated (26), Lakshadweep is nothing short of a wonder on the earth. Established in 1956 and named in 1973, the earliest history of Lakshadweep claims to be reigned by "Cheraman Perumal", the last king of Kerala.

As aforementioned, Lakshadweep isn't a single mass of land. It is made up of 36 islands lying on the waters of Arabian sea at a distance of about 400 kms from the mainland. It is believed that a saint from the gulf had visited the place in the 7th century, sowing the seeds of Islam.

When the Portuguese entered India in the 16th century, they were mighty impressed with the landform and hand-spun coir of Lakshadweep. As foriegners usually do, they start looting the local population and eventually get eradicated through poisoning by the same.

In 1847, Chirakkal Rajah, the administrator of Lakshadweep had to take up a loan from the East India Company to assess the relief of the cyclone-hit island. The interest of that loan mounted so high that Rajah had to surrender all the lands to the company to establish the British rule.

During this colonial rule, the British was not interested in governing of the islands, but the wealth it possessed. In the year 1912, The British brought the Lakshadweep regulation which brought several changes to the islands, including 9 primary schools and a few dispensaries. The migration of visitors was also reduced through this regulation.

Since its establishment as a Union Territory, Lakshadweep has been the cherry at the top kind of tourist spot and is one of the main reasons for the growth of tourism in India. Factors like the coral reef, majestic outlook in the middle of the ocean, cleanliness make it the spot to visit at least once in a lifetime.

Another awestriking fact about the islands is the minimalistic availability of alcohol despite being a popular spot of tourism.

                                          To be continued................