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Prior to 1598 there was no human habitation on the island of Mauritius. At that time it was only an indigenous habitat with dense forests, peaks and mountains, streams and rivers, and some species of birds, unique among which was the famous Dodo.
THE PORTUGUESE
In 1507 the Portuguese discovered the island and called it 'Ilha Do Cirne' (Island of Swan). Until 1511 they paid brief visits to the island on their way to the Indies. To the Portuguese at that time, the island also served as a place of respite for damaged ships and weary crews. By the time they left Mauritius but for good, the Portuguese had already introduced animals like pigs, goats and so on, into the island.
THE DUTCH
In 1598 the Dutch came into the scene and claimed the island for the Netherlands and named it Mauritius in honour of his ruler, Prince Maurice of Nassau. More after the Dutch established the first settlement on the southeast coast of the island where they built the first harbour, which is today named Mahébourg. They introduced sugar cane, tobacco, deer’s of Java, wild boars and African slaves into the island. In fact, due to unforeseen calamities like frequent tropical cyclones and infestation of sugar cane plantation by rats that affected their settlement the Dutch abandoned the island for good in 1710.
THE FRENCH
The French, while on the route to India, landed in Mauritius in September 1715 and claimed the island for France. They named Mauritius, 'Ile de France'. In 1721 the French started their occupation in the island and real progress on their settlement started only as from 1735 with the arrival of the most illustrious of French Governors, Bertrand François Mahé de Labourdonnais where Port Louis on the northwest coast became the principal harbour of the island. With the help of slaves, sugar cane cultivation became a full-blown success. Roads linking Port Louis to other parts of the island, barracks, office buildings, mansions and houses were built rapidly in order to accommodate for the pace at which the island was prospering.
History has it that during the Napoleonic wars Ile de France was used as a base from where French corsairs mounted successful raids on British commercial ships sailing between Europe and the East. In fact the French caused so much havoc to British interests by such means that Britain finally decided to take action against the French threat.
THE BRITISH
In August 1810 the British launched a naval attack, called the Battle of Grand Port, in the southeast of the island. The French won that fierce battle with the British retiring badly hurt. The Battle of Grand Port is considered as the only naval battle won by the French against the British in the history of these two countries. However, the British did not give up. What was to follow in the same year would change the course of history of Ile de France for ever.
In December 1810 the British made a second attempt to capture Ile de France. This time they changed their tactics and landed in the north of the island. They marched towards Port Louis in the northwest and defeated the French. T he British re-named Ile de France, 'Mauritius' and Port Louis was retained as the principal harbour.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
Throughout the years, Mauritius witnessed many changes. One of the most important events was the abolition of slavery in 1835.
Le Morne Brabant became well-known in the 19th century when runaway slaves used the hill as a hideaway. After the abolishment of slavery on Mauritius, a police expedition traveled to the rock on 1 February 1835 to tell the slaves that they are free people. However, the slaves misunderstood the expedition and jumped to death. Since then, this day is celebrated by Mauritian creoles as Annual Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery.
INDEPENDENCE
However during the 1930s and 1940s Mauritian nationalism became active in the political arena. Mauritius got its independence from Britain on 12th March 1968.
Being a multi-cultural island, Mauritius enjoy a rich ethnic background, consisting of Hindus, Muslims, Tamils, Blacks of African and Madagascan descents, Whites of French descents, Mulattos and Chinese. The main religions are Hinduism, Christian and Islam. This is a small country where religious festivals, customs and traditions abound in all their splendours. With such diversity in the cultural fabric of a society, Mauritius is often described as a paradise island.
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