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In the 18th century, the three islands of the Mascarene belonged to France. More people
lived in Ile de France and Bourbon Island. Few people lived in Rodrigues.
InRodrigues,theinhabitantsweremainlyshermen.Therewerealsoafewfarmersand
slaveswhogrewmaize,manioc,coffeeandrice.PhilibertMarragonwastheFrenchofcerin
charge of Rodrigues. He had a small farm called ‘l’Orangerie’ near Baie aux Huîtres.
However, British ships visited Rodrigues when the sailors needed food and water.
Answer the following questions.
1. Why did the British ships visit Rodrigues?
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2.WhowastheofcerinchargeofRodriguesinthe18th century?
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3. What were the activities of the inhabitants in Rodrigues?
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4. List the crops grown in Rodrigues in the 18th century.
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3.0 mascarene islands in the 18th century
fig. 3 British Ships visiting Rodrigues
At the end of the 18th century, there were many wars
between the French and the British in the Indian
Ocean. During the wars, some French sailors were
given the permission to attack the British ships.
These French sailors were known as corsairs.
Robert Surcouf was a famous corsair. He was known
as the ‘King of Corsairs’.The corsairs sailed from
Port Louis to attack and capture the British ships
carrying valuable goods.They used small and swift
boats.The British lost many ships and goods.
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct words in the box given below.
goods Surcouf Dutch corsairs war British pirates
(a) The French and the British were at in the Indian Ocean.
(b) The were given permission to attack the enemy ships.
(c) was a famous corsair.
(d) The corsairs attacked the ships and carried the
to Port Louis.
pic. 29 French corsairs attacking British ships
3.1 the corsairs
Source: National History Museum, Mahébourg
Robert Surcouf
ACTIVITY 3.0