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Mauritius: History
Early History
Although it is claimed that Mauritius was first discovered by Arabs around 980 AD and then again by Portuguese near 1500 AD, the real history of this exotic island nation starts with advent of Dutch near 1598 AD.
The Dutch Admiral VanWarwyck named the island "Mauritius" in honor of the Prince Mauritius Van Nassau of Holland.
The Dutch Period (1622-1710)
The Dutch adventurers were making attempts to settle in the island from 1622. By 1638 they had set up their first permanent settlement in Mauritius. The Dutch planned to exploit the island’s resources of fine ebony, cattle, and grow sugarcane and tobacco for trade.
The Dutch did not succeed in their colonization attempts as flood, cyclones and flood and drought continued to plague them. Food shortage was one of the chief problems.
By 1710 Dutch left Mauritius, considering any trade or economy prospects too dismal.
The French Period (1715-1810)
France took the possession of abandoned islands of Mauritius and renamed them as Isle de France. Soon colonization started and by 1750 a strong colonial infrastructure was established.
French Governor Bertrand Mahé de Labourdonnais is credited with earlier development of Mauritius in a major sea port and trade center. He also encouraged agriculture to meet the food shortage and especially promoted the cultivation of sugarcane. Roads, barracks, hospitals, town centers and batteries were constructed along with a naval base port that made Mauritius an economic resource for French.
During Napoleonic era Mauritius alias Isle de France became an important military base for French fleets. They used it frequently to disrupt British trade and military movements.
British retaliated in 1810 with a strong force to capture the island from the French. After some initial skirmishes, the British forces outnumbered and outmaneuvered the French who capitulated in the December of 1810, paving the way of British era that ended with the final independence of the Mauritius
The British Period (1810-1968)
The British were aware of Mauritius strategic position in trade route via Cape of Good Hope. As such they developed the island further. Rapid social and economical changes were brought about and sugarcane industry was encouraged.
British restored the earlier name of Mauritius from Isles de France but they allowed the French customs and traditions to prevail. British rule abolished the slavery system and brought the concept of civil rights in Mauritius. They also brought in large number of laborers from India to work in the sugarcane fields. These Indian laborers grew later to form the majority of Mauritius population today.
British also established the earliest democratic prototype in a government council of elected representatives, formed in 1826. After the second world, the principle of universal suffrage was also introduced in Mauritius. Mauritius was declared an independent country under British Commonwealth of Nations in 1968.
The Independent Era (1968-)
At the time of its independence Mauritius was chiefly an agriculture based country with sugarcane being the mainstay of the economy. However since then the country has made rapid advancements in industrialization, infrastructure facilities, telecommunication and transport.
A Today it is the second richest country of African continent with a generally prosperous population and thriving economy. The exquisite natural splendor of Mauritius, labeling it as heaven's prototype has made the country among foremost tourist spots of world and tourism industry a major tool of economic progress.