]Early on European Colony:
While Arabic and Malay sailors understood of Mauritius as early as the 10th 100 years CE and Portuguese sailors first visited in the sixteenth century, this island then was first colonized in 1638 by the Dutch. Mauritius was populated within the next few centuries by simply waves of traders, planters and their slaves, indentured laborers, merchants, and artisans. This island then was named in honor of Knight in shining armor Maurice of Nassau by Dutch, who abandoned the colony in 1710. Captured by the British:
The French stated Mauritius in 1715 and renamed that Ile de France. It became a prosperous colony under the The french language East India Company. The French Government took control in 1767, as well as the island served as a naval and privateer base through the Napoleonic wars. In 1810, Mauritius was captured by British, in whose possession of the island was confirmed 4 years later by Treaty of Paris. People from france institutions, such as the Napoleonic code of law, were preserved. The French terminology is still utilized more widely than English. A Diverse Heritage:
Mauritian Creoles search for their roots to the planting owners and slaves who had been brought to job the sugars fields. Indo-Mauritians are descended from American indian immigrants who arrived in the 19th century to work as indentured laborers after captivity was eliminated in 1835. Included in the Indo-Mauritian community happen to be Muslims (about 17% from the population) from your Indian subcontinent. A Moving Political Power Base:
Franco-Mauritians control nearly all of the large sugars estates and are active in operation and financial. As the Indian population became numerically dominant as well as the voting franchise was expanded, political electrical power shifted from the Franco-Mauritians and their Creole allies to the Hindus. Road to Independence:
Elections in 1947 for the newly made Legislative Assembly marked Mauritius' first steps toward self-rule. An freedom campaign obtained momentum after 1961, when the British opted for permit extra self-government...
