The people of the islands are ethnically similar to the people of the Kerala coast of India and are of mixed Indian and Arab descent, except on the southernmost and largest island, Minicoy, where people closely resemble Maldivians, speak Mahl, a language closely related to Dhivehi (Maldivian) which could even be a dialect. 93% of the indigenous population is Muslim and were converted by the Arab apostle Mumba Mulyaka. The locals call themselves the Div-i or the Amadivi (from the mother island).

The first westerner on the islands was Vasco da Gama, but the English were the first to explore the islands. They are also mentioned in great detail in the stories of the Arab traveller, Ibn Batuta. The Portuguese established a fort on the islands in May 1498, but the inhabitants rose up against them and chased them away.

The islands subsequently became a suzerainty of the Ali Raja of Cannanore, and after the peace of Seringapatam in 1792 the southern group was permitted to remain under the management of the native chief at a yearly tribute.