The History of Aapravasi Ghat
Listed in the list of Heritage sites by UNESCO, Aapravasi Ghat holds an utmost place in the history of Mauritius Island. While many know Mauritius for being the ultimate holiday destination, there lies a rich past which has craved the Mauritian canvas.
Discovered by the Dutch in the year 16th century, Mauritius became home for French Settler around the year 1715. Being rich in agricultural zone, the French introduced slaves in the island to work in the sugarcane fields. The slaves came primarily from Africa, including Madagascar and Mozambique.
As a result of the defeat in the Anglo-French war in the year 1810, the French lost the island to the British. In the year 1834, the British settlers abolished slavery after much protest. In order to keep the labor ongoing, they decided to bring laborers from India. The arrival of these indentured laborers on the island had a significant meaning with the start of their new lives. Hence, the 14 steps taken by the indentured laborers on Mauritius, which has been sold as a dream island to them, was engraved in the books of history.
From the year 1834 to 1920, around half a million indentured laborers crossed the Aapravasi Ghat/ Immigration Depot threshold. With them they brought traditions, memories and cultures which shaped the island in what we know of today.
Located in the Bay of Trou Fanfaron in Port-Louis, the capital of the island, Aapravasi Ghat site spans in 1 640m2.
In 2006, Aapravasi Ghat received the status of a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
