History · Heritage · Culture · Ideas
Royal Heritage is a Maldivian consultancy in history, heritage and culture. We help governments, resorts, organisations and communities build on who the Maldives is, and through the Praxium Institute we work for the ideas that let a nation prosper.
Royal Heritage
Research-based advice that brings Maldivian history, identity and tradition into real projects: an island's story, a heritage site, a policy, a publication. Our historians work from documents, archives and living tradition, and our team turns that knowledge into work clients can use.
See what we doPraxium Institute · An initiative of Royal Heritage
Research, publishing and education on liberty, free enterprise, good governance and the sciences that build a nation.
Explore the InstituteSelected work
About us
Royal Heritage was founded to play a part in the development of the Maldives by championing national identity, culture, heritage and history.
We are more than a consultancy. We help businesses, public organisations and communities bring the historical narratives, cultural identity and artistic legacy of the Maldives into their projects, so that modern development keeps its connection to the civilisation it grew from.
From cultural consultation that restores the authenticity of Maldivian architecture and design, to historical research that gives depth to community projects, our work aims to build national pride, cultural resilience and sustainable development.
Our historians and researchers work alongside technical and business specialists. That combination lets us turn scholarship into deliverables organisations can act on: storylines, guidelines, policies, publications and programmes.
Mission
To strengthen the Maldives by grounding its development in its own history and culture, and by advancing the ideas that make nations prosperous: liberty, free enterprise, education and productive industry.
Vision
A confident, free and productive Maldives that knows where it came from and builds its own future. We aim to be the leading Maldivian institution joining the country's heritage to its development.
What we stand for
A nation that knows its history builds with confidence.
Free people, free expression, and limited, accountable government.
Markets, property and entrepreneurship are the engine of prosperity.
Sound knowledge of governance, history, economics, the sciences and engineering, for every island.
A Maldives that makes, builds and engineers, not one that only imports.
Founders
Managing Director
Zaid leads Royal Heritage's business, corporate affairs and the Praxium Institute. An engineer with long experience in the technical and corporate sectors, he connects historical consultancy to the practical needs of modern organisations, and brings scientific rigour and strategic planning to every engagement.
Chief Historian
One of the leading experts on Maldivian history and culture, Alaa has served as a lecturer and head of department teaching Maldivian history, culture and tradition, and Maldivian legal history. Appointed Research Analyst at the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage in 2019, his research focuses on the historical origins of the Maldives and its people. He advises government, public and private institutions on historical matters and speaks widely across the country.
Services
Every engagement is tailored to the client. These are the six ways we most often work.
Research-based guidance that brings Maldivian history, identity and tradition into resorts, developments, brands and community projects.
Expert support to ministries, councils and state bodies on heritage policy, cultural preservation and development projects with a historical dimension.
Helping civil-society organisations design programmes, research and funding proposals in heritage, education and public awareness.
Strategy, structure and documentation for companies and institutions, written to a professional standard.
Commissioned histories of islands, atolls and institutions, and policy papers, researched by historians and written for readers.
Lectures, seminars, workshops and talk shows on history, culture and ideas, for universities, ministries, cruise lines and the public.
How we work
Initial consultation. We visit the site or meet the team, understand the objective and collect the material that already exists.
Research and project work. Our historians work through documents, archives, interviews and literature, and our team turns the findings into the agreed deliverables.
Review and handover. We take the client's comments on board and refine the work until it is ready to use.
Our work
A selection of projects for public bodies, resorts and institutions.
Praxium Institute · An initiative of Royal Heritage
Praxium is Royal Heritage's research and ideas arm. We study the questions that decide whether the Maldives prospers, publish clear and practical analysis, and promote the foundational ideas of liberty, free enterprise and good governance.
Research areas
The history, culture and institutions that make the Maldives distinct, and how they should shape its development.
Free markets, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and how to diversify an economy built on tourism.
Education in governance, history, heritage, culture, economics, the sciences and engineering.
Connectivity between islands, airports, and aviation policy for a nation of twelve hundred islands.
Institutions, regulation, professional standards and accountable government.
Publications
The case for a Maldives Professional Engineers Act that protects the title "Engineer" for qualified, certified professionals, safeguarding the public and creating a respected career path.
Governance and Rule of LawWhy authentic heritage is the one part of the Maldivian tourism product competitors cannot copy, and how to build on it.
Economy and EnterpriseProgrammes
In-depth studies and policy proposals across our five research areas, published under the PRX series.
Seminars and courses in governance, history, heritage, culture, economics, the sciences and engineering, for students, professionals and public servants.
Public lectures and discussions for universities, youth programmes and institutions across the atolls.
Independence
Praxium is funded by Royal Heritage and by grants and contributions for specific projects. We publish the sources of project funding, and no funder decides our conclusions.
Praxium is non-partisan. We argue for ideas and policies, not for parties or candidates.
Journal
Our historians and researchers will publish here across five areas. Check back soon, or get in touch if you would like to hear when the first pieces go live.
Contact
Tell us about your project, island or institution. An initial meeting carries no obligation.