History of Kudahuvadhoo

Foundation and Ancient History

The exact date of the foundation of Kudahuvadhoo is not recorded in written sources; however, archaeological evidence suggests that the island was inhabited long before the Maldives embraced Islam in the 12th century. The settlement's history is rooted in the archipelago's Buddhist period. The main evidence of its ancient origins lies in the remains of mysterious mounds known as "havittas." Researchers, including the renowned Thor Heyerdahl, believed these ruins to be the remnants of ancient temples or stupas.

Key Development Factors

The development of Kudahuvadhoo as a major center was determined by a combination of geographical and social factors:

• Strategic Location: The island is located in the southern part of Dhaalu Atoll and possesses one of the largest land areas in the region, making it a natural candidate for the role of an administrative hub.
• Status as Atoll Capital: Historically, the local administration was concentrated here, which facilitated population growth and infrastructure development.
• Convenient Harbour: The island's geography provided a safe anchorage for boats, which was critically important for establishing maritime trade with neighbouring islands and the capital, Malé.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, the residents of Kudahuvadhoo have been renowned as skilled artisans. The island gained particular fame for its master stonemasons. The ancient local cemetery preserves unique tombstones with exquisite coral stone carvings, which are considered masterpieces of Maldivian stone-carving art.

The economy of the early period was based on the traditional way of life: fishing, coconut palm cultivation, and craft production. Thanks to its status and size, the island served as a local node for the exchange of goods within the atoll.

Ancient History and Cultural Heritage

• Pre-12th Century: The period of the creation of the mysterious "havitta" mounds, which researchers consider to be the ruins of ancient Buddhist temples.
• 1153: The adoption of Islam in the Maldives, marking a shift in religious and cultural traditions on the island.
• 17th–18th Centuries: The golden age of stone-carving art, during which the unique coral tombstones were created in the old cemetery of Kudahuvadhoo.

Modern Stage of Development

• 1982: The island was visited by the expedition of the famous explorer Thor Heyerdahl, drawing the world's attention to the archaeological mysteries of Kudahuvadhoo.
• December 26, 2004: The devastating Indian Ocean tsunami caused damage to the island, followed by a period of infrastructure reconstruction.
• 2014: Launch of a large-scale land reclamation project to expand the island's area and construct a future runway.
• June 2017: Official opening of Dhaalu Airport, ensuring regular air connections with the capital and resorts.
• 2020s: Active development of urban infrastructure and tourism, strengthening the island's status as the administrative centre of Dhaalu Atoll.

Modern Appearance and Infrastructure

Today, Kudahuvadhoo represents a dynamically developing centre of Dhaalu Atoll. The island's evolution has gone beyond a simple chronology of events: it is reflected in the qualitative change of the urban environment and standard of living. The transformation from a traditional fishing settlement into a modern hub has formed a unique lifestyle that combines island cosiness with urban comfort.

• Administrative and Social Hub.
  Thanks to its status as the atoll capital, the island possesses developed social infrastructure unavailable to most ordinary local islands. A regional hospital with modern equipment, an educational centre, bank branches, and government institutions operate here. This ensures a high level of safety and access to necessary services for residents and guests.
• New Transport Logistics.
  The presence of its own airport has turned Kudahuvadhoo into a key transport node of the region. The airport not only connects the island with the capital, Malé, but also serves as a transit point for tourists heading to luxury resort hotels nearby. This revitalises the local economy and creates a constant flow of travellers.
• Spaciousness and Urban Planning.
  Unlike many congested Maldivian islands, Kudahuvadhoo is distinguished by spacious streets and orderly planning. Artificial expansion of the territory has allowed for the allocation of zones for recreation, parks, and the construction of modern housing, making walks around the island comfortable and pleasant.
• Rise of Local Tourism.
  The development of the guesthouse segment has changed the city's atmosphere. The appearance of cosy mini-hotels has stimulated the opening of coffee shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Today, a service environment is actively forming here, oriented towards budget-conscious travellers wishing to experience the real Maldives without giving up familiar conveniences.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Kudahuvadhoo does not fit into the framework of classic European styles like Baroque or Art Nouveau. The island's appearance was shaped by limited resources, religious traditions, and climatic conditions. Urban development here can be divided into three key eras: ancient (archaeological), traditional Islamic, and modern functional.

Historical Layers and Landmark Sites

Traces of unique technologies of the past remain on the island, contrasting with modern concrete developments.

• Ancient Period (Pre-12th Century): Represented by ruins known as "havittas." These are remnants of mounds and structures presumably dating back to the Buddhist period. Although they are not buildings in the modern sense, these objects define the island's historical landscape and testify to an early civilization.
• Traditional Architecture (17th–19th Centuries): The era of the flourishing of coral stone (Porites) work. The main monument of this period is the Old Mosque of Kudahuvadhoo. It is distinguished by unique masonry, where coral blocks are fitted together with jeweller-like precision without the use of mortar. This style can be called the pinnacle of Maldivian craftsmanship.
• Modern Functionalism (21st Century): The current look of the town is formed by one- and two-story buildings made of concrete blocks with flat roofs, painted in bright colours. This style is dictated by practicality and the availability of materials.

Urban Planning Features

The layout of Kudahuvadhoo stands out against the background of many other islands in the archipelago thanks to large-scale reconstruction and land reclamation projects.

• Street Network: Unlike the chaotic development of old Maldivian settlements, Kudahuvadhoo has relatively wide and straight streets, which was the result of re-planning after the 2004 tsunami and subsequent development.
• Airport Zone: The newest district, built on reclaimed land. Here, the utilitarian architecture of the terminal and accompanying infrastructure dominates, symbolising the island's integration into the global transport network.

Notable Figures and Researchers of Kudahuvadhoo

Although Kudahuvadhoo is a small island, its rich history and unique archaeological monuments have attracted the attention of global scholars. The list of significant persons associated with the island includes both famous explorers who revealed its secrets to the world and local figures who contributed to its development.

Researchers and Historians

• Thor Heyerdahl
  Famous Norwegian traveller and ethnographer.
  In the 1980s, he led an archaeological expedition to the Maldives. Heyerdahl conducted a detailed study of the ancient mounds (havittas) on Kudahuvadhoo. It was he who stated that the stonework of the island's old mosque surpasses many Inca masterpieces in quality and precision, thereby proclaiming the skill of local artisans to the whole world.
• Arne Skjølsvold
  Archaeologist, Professor.
  A colleague of Thor Heyerdahl who supervised excavations on the island. His scientific work helped confirm hypotheses about the pre-Islamic (Buddhist) past of Kudahuvadhoo and date the found artefacts, which was an important contribution to understanding the history of the entire Dhaalu Atoll.
• Hassan Ahmed Maniku
  Maldivian historian and linguist.
  Served as the main consultant and guide for international expeditions. Maniku did a tremendous amount of work collecting the oral traditions of Kudahuvadhoo residents, documented local place names, and helped preserve the island's cultural heritage, which might otherwise have been lost.
• Mohamed Luthfi
  Researcher and writer.
  Known for his works on the history and geography of the Maldives. He compiled detailed descriptions of Kudahuvadhoo's architectural monuments even before the start of large-scale modern construction, leaving descendants invaluable evidence of the traditional way of life of the islanders.

Modern Figures

• Ahmed Amir
  Political and public figure.
  Serving as a Member of Parliament for the Kudahuvadhoo constituency for several terms, he played a key role in the modernisation of the island. His activities are linked to the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the development of the airport and the improvement of social conditions for residents.