History of Seychelles tells you about the earliest settlers of the island. Know more about the History of Seychelles on Seychelles tours.
The Polynesians, who settled in Madagascar, probably inhabited this region around 200-300 BC. Arab navigators carried out trading voyages across the Indian Ocean and did have some knowledge about these islands. But the islands were not colonized by them. The History of Seychelles finds its origins in a manuscript dated 851 AD. The first mention of Maldives and higher islands beyond them, probably Seychelles is found in this manuscript written by an Arab merchant.
The Arabs were involved in a trade of coco de mer nuts, found only in Seychelles, much before the islands were discovered by the Europeans. In the year 1502, Vasco da Gama, on his route from India to East Africa, spotted islands came to be known as the Amirantes. The granitic islands now appeared on Portuguese charts as the Seven Sisters.
History of Seychelles shows that a trading fleet of the English East India Company started for India in March in the year 1608. Hit by a storm, the Ascension's crew almost lost their way and sighted a "high land" on 19 January 1609 and moved towards it. They came across plentiful fresh water, fish, coconuts, birds, turtles and huge tortoises.
Almost at the end of the 17th century, the pirates from the Caribbean arrived in the Indian Ocean. Madagascar became their base. From here they pillaged and plundered vessels drawing near and departing the Red Sea and the Gulf.
The French had seized the Ile de France in 1710, which the British renamed Mauritius 1810. This colony acquired much importance. In the year 1742, an expedition to discover the islands northeast of Madagascar under the supervision of Lazare Picault was carried out.
The war between England and France broke out and signaled the authorities about the islands and Mauritius. Two ships headed to lay claim on them. The largest island was renamed Isle de Séchelles in honour of Viscount Jean Moreau de Seychelles, Minister of Finance during the reign of Louis XV. Know more about the History of Seychelles with the help of Seychelles travel guide.
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