Timeline of Mauritius

Chronology

9 events spanning the history of Mauritius. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1498

   Portuguese explorers stumble upon Mauritius.

   Portuguese explorers stumble upon Mauritius in the wake of Vasco da Gama’s voyage around the Cape of Good Hope.

2. 1510

   Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas visits the island and names it Cirné.

   Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas visits the island and names it Cirné. It is used as a port of call, but the Portuguese do not establish a permanent settlement.

3. 1598 – 1710

   The Dutch period.

   The Dutch period. In 1598, a Dutch squadron, under the orders of Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck, landed at Grand Port and named the island “Mauritius”, in honor of Prince Maurice Van Nassau, “Stathouder” of Holland. However, it was not until 1638 that there was a first attempt of Dutch settlement.

4. 1715 – 1810

   The French period.

   The French period. Abandoned by the Dutch, the island became a French colony when, in September 1715, Guillaume Dufresne D’Arsel landed and took possession of this precious port of call on the route to India. He named the island “Isle de France”, but it was only in 1721 that the French started their occupation.

5. 1810 – 1968

   The British period.

   The British period. The British administration, which began with Robert Farquhar as governor, was followed by rapid social and economic changes. One of the most important events was the abolition of slavery in 1835.

6. 1834

   British abolish slavery.

   British abolish slavery. It is phased out on the island under a transition period known as “apprenticeship”.

7. 1876

   Indian rupee becomes official currency.

   Indian rupee becomes official currency.

8. 1968

   Independence.

   Independence.

9. 1979

   Cyclone Claudette devastates island.

   Cyclone Claudette devastates island.