Mauritius celebrates its independence day on March 12 every year. On the anniversary of the day, Mauritius became an independent state within the Commonwealth, this day honors the island nation of Mauritius and its inhabitants, culture, and traditions.
About Mauritius Day
East of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a nation made up of four separate islands, the largest of which is the island with the same name. Before becoming an independent country in the Commonwealth, Mauritius was a colony of Great Britain. The nation, which is situated along Africa's southeast coast and is east of Madagascar, is thought to be a part of the continent of Africa.
History of Mauritius Day
Mauritius celebrates its independence day on March 12 every year. The island nation of Mauritius has a public holiday on this day to commemorate the day the country gained independence from the Commonwealth.
The Republic of Mauritius, sometimes known as Mauritius, is made up of the four islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega, and St. Brandon. Mauritius is the main island, and Port Louis, the nation's capital, is situated there. The island nation's capital is also its most populated metropolis.
The Portuguese initially settled in Mauritius, but they quickly left the islands because they were unhappy there. The Dutch then took control of the islands and built towns there. But because the settlements were unsuccessful, the Dutch quickly left the islands.
Following the Dutch, the French took control of the Mauritius islands and set up plantations there, employing slaves from India and Africa. After the British acquired the islands during the Napoleonic Wars, Mauritius became a plantation colony within the British Empire.
Although slavery was eventually outlawed, the British government nevertheless sent indentured workers to the islands to work on the plantations. The people of Mauritius received universal suffrage following the World Wars. As the island became tenser, Britain realized how crucial it was to give up its former possessions. While the English monarch continued to serve as the country's head of state, Mauritius approved a new constitution with a newly elected Prime Minister.
Mauritius and India Relations
In 1948, India and Mauritius formally established diplomatic ties. Through the successive occupations of the Dutch, French, and British, Mauritius maintained connections with India.
Indian laborers first arrived in Mauritius in the 1820s to work on sugar cane plantations.
Large numbers of Indian workers started to be imported to Mauritius as indentured laborers starting in 1834, the year the British Parliament abolished slavery. The first group of Indian indentured laborers arrived in Mauritius on the ship "Atlas" on November 2, 1834. Today is recognized as "Aapravasi Day" in Mauritius. Between 1834 and the early decades of the 20th century, Mauritius is thought to have received nearly half a million Indian indentured laborers, of whom roughly two-thirds lived there permanently.
Father of the Mauritian Nation Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam accorded centrality to India in Mauritius’ foreign policy. Subsequently, successive Mauritian leaders ensured that India occupies a position of significance and importance in the foreign policy orientation and activities of Mauritius.
Mahatma Gandhi had a brief stopover in Mauritius from October 29 to November 15, 1901, while traveling from South Africa to India. This brief stopover left a lasting impression on the island nation. The Mauritian Indian community organized itself with the assistance of Barrister Manillal Doctor, who arrived in Mauritius in 1907 at Gandhiji's recommendation. This set the stage for their subsequent fight for political and social rights. Every year on March 12, the National Day of Mauritius is observed as a homage to Gandhiji and the Indian freedom movement.
Why do people celebrate Mauritius Day?
Every year on March 12, the National Day of Mauritius is observed as an homage to Gandhiji and the Indian freedom movement (the date on which the Dandi Salt March was launched).
Who converted Mauritius to Hinduism?
When Indians were brought to Mauritius as indentured labor for French colonial plantations, and then in much greater numbers for British plantations in Mauritius and nearby Indian Ocean islands, Hinduism was introduced to the country.
What's the old name of Mauritius?
At the Treaty of Paris in 1815, Ile de France has renamed Mauritius and legally ceded to Britain. As the first British governor of Mauritius, Sir Robert Farquar brought about quick social and economic reform.
