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You have learnt about Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Now, let’s learn about Port
Mathurin, the capital of Rodrigues and the main harbour of the island.
The rst settlement in Port Mathurin was made by François Leguat
and his friends in 1691. Later, in the year 1722, the French sent a
group of people to start a settlement at the same site.
Port Mathurin is named after the French settler Mathurin Brehinier, who, along with his
family, was one of the early inhabitants of Port Mathurin. Philibert Marragon was the other
French settler who lived here about the same time as Mathurin Brehinier.
The place developed slowly as the settlers lived on their plantation or on the coast.
In the 19th century, during the British period, there were only 12 huts made of wood and
latanier leaves. Slowly, many more people began to build houses and in the late 19th century
there were about 280 people living in Port Mathurin. Some of the buildings found there
atthattimewerethemagistrate’sofce,acourtroom,aprison,acookhouseandastore
house.
The pictures below show Port Mathurin as it is today.
1. Observe the pictures above.
Write a few sentences to describe what you have observed in the pictures.
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1.9 port mathurin:The Capital of rodrigues
Do you remember ?
1.10 port mathurin today
Pic. 9 port mathurin today
ACTIVITY 1.10
ACTIVITY 1.10 continued