LAKHSHADWEEP, THE SMALLEST UNION TERRITORY OF INDIA, IS A GROUP OF islands 200 to 300 km off of the coast of Kerala in the Laccadive Sea.Ten of the islands are inhabited. Lakshadweep is the northern part of the erstwhile Lakshadweepa.

The Amindivi group of islands (Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat and Bitra) came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787. They passed to British control after the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789-‘92) and were attached to South Canara. The rest of the islands came under the suzerainty of the Arakkal family of Cannanore in return for a payment of annual tribute. After a while, the British took over the administration of those islands and they were attached to the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency. In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act separated the islands from the mainland administrative units, forming a new union territory by combining all the islands.

The national emblem of Lakshadweep shows the dharmacakra of India, supported by two coral fishes and crested by a palm-tree.

Below is a banner in the colors of the flag and the name of the territory.