History
The ancient Sanskritised name of this atoll was Suvadiva. Its capital and most important island was Havaru Tinadū. Historically the Huvadu atoll chief had a great measure of self-government. He even had the privilege, not granted to any other atoll chief of the Maldives, to fly his own flag in his vessels and at his residence. The flag of the Huvadu Atoll Chief was similar to the flag of Nepal in cut, with two central black triangles edged by red and white bands.
There are many Buddhist archaeological remains in Huvadū. Therefore it is likely that this was a very important Atoll in that period of Maldivian History. None of these ancient remains have been properly investigated yet.
Some of the ancient kings of Maldives traced their ancestry to certain families of Devvadu island, located at the centre of this large atoll.
Due to its strategic placement on the main sea route around southern India, Huvadhu and the other southern atolls have a long history of contact from mariners sailing the Indian Ocean through the centuries.
Read more about this topic: Huvadhu Atoll
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