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2. The population increased during the French period.
(a) Who came to settle in Ile de France?
(b) Besides cultivating the land, what did the farmers do to get food?
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ACTIVITY 2.3 continued
2.4 MAHé de labourdonnais in ile de france
Bertrand François
Mahé de Labourdonnais
was born at Saint Malo in France.
At the age of 10, he started
travelling at sea. He learnt many
things while sailing and trading.
When he grew up, he became
a rich trader.
Labourdonnais became governor
of Ile de France in 1735. When he
came, he saw a few good houses
and several huts covered with
latanier leaves.
You will learn more about the
development of Port Louis
in Unit 5.
Let’sndouthow
Labourdonnais developed
agriculture in the island.
One of the activities of the settlers was to develop agriculture in the island.
Can you think why?
The population started to increase. More people came from France to settle in Ile de France.
Theywereofcersandfarmers.SlavesandskilledworkerswerebroughtfromWestAfrica,
Mozambique, Madagascar and India.The slaves were forced to work for the settlers.
More food was needed to feed the increasing population and the sailors who called at the
island.The farmers grew crops and vegetables for food.They also reared animals and kept
poultry.
As the population was growing, more food was also brought from other islands: shand
turtles from Rodrigues, cereals from Réunion, and cattle and rice from Madagascar.
1. The pictures given below show the crops grown and animals reared during the
French Period. Study the pictures and name them.
2.3 activities of the french settlers
ACTIVITY 2.3
crops ANIMALS
WD
S
G
MR
PP
C
C