The Coral Stone Inscription of Maldives N. Landhoo: A Window into Ancient Maritime History
- Ibrahim Rasheed
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
The discovery of a coral stone inscribed with late Brahmi script in the Pallava style, dated to AD 6, on the island of N. Landhoo in the Maldives, stands as a monumental archaeological find. Recognized as the oldest written document in the Maldives, this inscription provides a rare glimpse into the ancient maritime history of the Indian Ocean and the intricate cultural and trade networks that defined the region. Written in a script closely related to the Southern Brahmi used during the Pallava dynasty, the coral stone serves as a testament to the Maldives’ historical significance as a crossroads of maritime trade and cultural exchange.
The Pallava dynasty, centered in Mahabalipuram on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Ocean’s trade networks during ancient times. Mahabalipuram, the primary seaport of the Pallavas, was a bustling hub that connected the Indian subcontinent with distant regions, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and even the western world, from Rome to China. The port facilitated the exchange of luxury goods such as silk, spices, pearls, precious stones, and gold, while exporting textiles, handicrafts, and metal items. Sculptures unearthed at Mahabalipuram vividly depict trading ships laden with goods, underscoring the port’s critical role in ancient maritime commerce. The coral stone inscription in N. Landhoo, bearing the Pallava-style Brahmi script, suggests that the Maldives was an integral part of this vibrant trade network, likely serving as a stopover point for ships navigating the Indian Ocean.
N. Landhoo, located in the Noonu Atoll, holds particular significance in the Maldives’ ancient history. The island is home to a large, man-made mound known as a hawitta, potentially dating back to the 8th century. This structure, locally referred to as Maa Badhige rather than Maa Budhuge, is believed to be a Buddhist stupa, hinting at the island’s religious and cultural heritage. The hawitta is also associated with the legendary Redin people, who are thought to have been early inhabitants of the Maldives with connections to regional maritime communities. The presence of such a structure suggests that N. Landhoo was not only a trading post but also a site of cultural and possibly religious significance, fostering interactions among diverse peoples traversing the Indian Ocean.
The coral stone inscription itself is a remarkable artifact, offering clues about the linguistic, cultural, and economic exchanges that shaped the Maldives in antiquity. The use of late Brahmi script in the Pallava style points to strong cultural ties with South India, particularly the Pallava dynasty, which was known for its contributions to art, architecture, and maritime trade. The inscription’s early date of AD 6 places it among the oldest known records in the region, highlighting the Maldives’ long-standing role in Indian Ocean trade routes. While the exact content of the inscription remains a subject of study, its existence underscores the sophistication of early Maldivian society and its integration into broader regional networks.
In conclusion, the Coral Stone Inscription of N. Landhoo serves as a vital window into the ancient maritime history of the Maldives and the Indian Ocean world. It illuminates the Maldives’ role as a key node in the trade networks that connected South Asia with distant regions, facilitated by the Pallava dynasty’s maritime prowess. The inscription, alongside the hawitta and the island’s association with the Redin people, paints a picture of N. Landhoo as a hub of cultural and economic exchange. This archaeological discovery not only enriches our understanding of the Maldives’ past but also underscores the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations, whose legacies continue to resonate in the modern world.
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