The first visit to Mauritius we know of for sure, was by Arab sailors during the Middle Ages. It was named Dina Arobi. The closest big island (Madagascar) had migrants from Borneo in around 1000 AD. Mauritius may have been visited by wandering Abyssinians, Phoenicians or Greeks. Like the civilisations of Egypt which were forgotten until rediscovered by Napoleon's scientists, our memories are shorter than the things we learn. The Dutch colonised the island in 1638 then abandoned it. In 1715, the French took over and used the island as a base in the power struggle with Britain over the trade routes to the East. The Brits won control after 1810. Independence eventually came in 1968.
Battle of Grand Port
between French & British in 1810
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