Lakshadweep: Unveiling Stories of Culture, Progress, and Discovery, with Insights for UPSC Aspirants

Embark on a fascinating journey into Lakshadweep's history, discovering captivating stories of cultural richness, administrative progress, and groundbreaking scientific exploration. This exploration not only unveils the vibrant past but also offers valuable insights for UPSC aspirants.

The islands of present-day Lakshadweep were first mentioned by a Greek sailor in the 1st century CE as a source of tortoise shell. Nambodhiris or Nairs were the first who migrated to these islands. Local traditions and legends attribute the first settlement on these islands to the period of Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera king of Kerala. The first European to visit the islands was the Italian explorer Marco Polo.

In the year 1878 For the first time in the history of these islands, the introduction of Cowles made it imperative to survey all the Pandaram lands on the islands and to divide them into suitable plots. Regulation was first introduced by the British in 1912 the Indian Penal Code as such was not introduced in the island.

In 1912, Islanders were linked to the High Court-a court of record - as a matter of right. for the first time. When it comes to geography, the general features of the Islands were described by Jones in 1959.

"Issattul Islam Juma Masjid" is the first mosque in Lakshadweep where as the first Madrassa was Mifttanul, started at Agatti island.

On 1st November 1956, the Lakshadweep islands became a Union Territory. The first police station in Lakshadweep was opened at Minicoy in 1958. Later in 1964 three more stations were opened at Kavaratti, Amini and Androth. The system of land revenue or land tax was not there. A land survey and settlement was started for the first time in 1959. The first court with all the characteristics of the present day mainland Indian legal system was established there in 1967.

B. Amanulla was the first island Judicial Officer. He entered the Lakshadweep judiciary in 1978 as Munsiff.

Santha Nair (1979) was the first scientist to ascertain the microbial characteristics of Laccadive Sea.

For the first time, the islands were linked with a democratic set up on 6th April 1990 when the island councils under the Lakshadweep Island Councils Registration, 1988 were constituted and came into force. In December 2022, a female judicial officer was appointed to the island. Lakshadweep received its first statue of Mahatma Gandhi in connection with the celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 152nd birthday in 2021.