Bertrand-François Mahé, comte de La Bourdonnais (11 February 1699 – 10 November 1753) was a French naval officer and colonial administrator, in the service of the French East India Company.
Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais
Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Retrat, per Antoine Graincourt
La Bourdonnais entered the service of the French East India Company as a lieutenant. In 1724, he was promoted to captain, and displayed such bravery in the capture of Mahé on the Malabar Coast that the name of the town was added to his own; although an alternative account suggests that the town adopted his name, rather than the other way around. For two years he was in the service of the Portuguese Viceroy, but in 1735 he returned to French service as governor of the Isle de France (now Mauritius) and the Île de Bourbon (Réunion). His first five years' administration of the islands was vigorous and successful. He significantly increased the enslaved African population in Isle de France (Mauritius) which grew from only 638 in 1735 by around 1,300 annually. Labourdonnais also brought 70 slaves for his own estate.[1][2]
In 1744 Labourdonnais assembled a squadron of 3,342 men, including 720 slaves, and led a military expedition from Isle de France to Madras in India. His victory increased the rivalry with Governor of Pondicherry, Joseph François Dupleix. Soon Labourdonnais was accused of receiving money from the British East India Company and in 1746 he was forced to return to France to face trial and was jailed at the Bastille for 3 years. He was replaced by Pierre Félix Barthelemy David, the son of a director of the French East India Company.[3]
Recognition and legacy
In 1742 his name was given to the main island (Mahé Island) of the Seychelles archipelago by French explorer Lazare Picault. In 1806 the French General Decaen founded and named the historic port village of Mahébourg in homage to Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Close to the village of Mapou, in Rivière du Rempart District, there is an estate named Domaine de Labourdonnais with its manor house known as Le Château de Labourdonnais, built in 1856, and now converted into a museum.[4] A statue of La Bourdonnais was erected at Place D'Armes in Port Louis on 30 August 1859 during a ceremony.[5] In Curepipe a school called Lycée La Bourdonnais was founded in 1953, where the curriculum is modelled on practices in France.[6] There is another statue of La Bourdonnais in the port of Saint-Malo, France.[7] In Saint-Denis, Réunion a statue of La Bourdonnais was also erected, and a suburb is named Cité Labourdonnais. However the statue and suburb in Reunion island have been the target of anti-slavery protesters since 2020.[8][9]
Family
In March and April 1738 two of Labourdonnais' children died and in May 1738 his wife also died on Isle de France (Mauritius). His daughter Montlezun Pardiac continued to live on Isle de France (Mauritius) and received an annual pension of 3,000 Louis following a vote in the National Assembly in August 1798. His grandson was Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais. In December 1827 a lead-lined coffin containing the remains of Labourdonnais' wife and child was discovered during repairs of a government building near the Jardin de la Compagnie.[10]
References
^Teelock, Vijaya (2016-12-29). Transition from slavery in Zanzibar and Mauritius a comparative history. Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa. pp. 25–43. ISBN9782869786806.
^"Truth and Justice Commission Report Vol.1" (PDF). Government of Mauritius. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
^Vaughan, Megan (2005-02-01). Creating the Creole Island: Slavery in Eighteenth-Century Mauritius. Durham and London: Duke University Press. pp. 46–48. ISBN9780822333999. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
^"Domaine de Labourdonnais: Un grand bol d'air frais". lexpress.mu. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
^De Burgh-Edwardes, S.D. "The History of Mauritius 1507-1914" (PDF). East and West Ltd. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
^"Lycée La Bourdonnais : quand l'excellence s'ouvre sur le monde". Lagazette. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
^Jeannot, Alain. "Le rond point de Labourdonnais à St Malo". Zinfos. Retrieved 2019-06-16.
^"RACISME : Mahé de Labourdonnais: Dans le viseur des Militants à la Réunion". Zinfos. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
^Quemener, Luna. "Cité Labourdonnais : changer de nom pour symboliser un nouveau cadre de vie". Linfo.Re. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
^De Burgh-Edwardes, S.D. "The History of Mauritius 1507-1914" (PDF). East and West Ltd. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
Further reading
Autobiography
B.-F. Mahé de La Bourdonnais: Mémoires historiques de B.-F. Mahé de La Bourdonnais, gouverneur des îles de France et de la Réunion, recueillis et publiés par son petit-fils... (Cte A.-C. Mahé de La Bourdonnais). Paris, 1890 (with a second edition (Paris,1898))
Biography
Histoire, ou éloge historique de M. Mahé de La Bourdonnais. [n. p.: n. d.]
Île Maurice: Mahé de La Bourdonnais: documents réunis par le comité du bi-centenaire de La Bourdonnais, 11 février 1899, avec des annotations par le comité des souvenirs historiques. (2 août 1899). Port-Louis : E. Pezzani, 1899
Étienne Buisson: Le mirage de l'Inde: la dramatique existence d'un grand Français au XVIIIe siècle : Bertrand Mahé de La Bourdonnais. Paris : Hachette, 1937.
Pierre Crépin: Mahé de La Bourdonnais, gouverneur général des îles de France et de Bourbon (1699–1753) ... . Paris : Leroux, n. d.
Louis Ducrocq: Une ingratitude nationale: La Bourdonnais, gouverneur des îles de France et de Bourbon, 1735–1746. Arras : Sueur-Charruey, 1902 (Reprinted from the Revue de Lille of August 1902)
Philippe Haudrère: La Bourdonnais: marin et aventurier. Paris : Desjonquères, 1992 ISBN2-904227-63-6
E. Herpin: Mahé de La Bourdonnais et la Compagnie des Indes. Saint-Brieuc : R. Prud'homme, 1905
Alfred de Longpérier-Grimoard: Notice historique sur La Bourdonnais. Paris, 1856
Huguette Ly Tio Fane-Pineo: Île de France, 1715–1746. Tome I. L'émergence de Port Louis . Moka (Île Maurice) : Mahatma Gandhi Institute, 1993 ISBN99903-39-00-7
Michel Missoffe: Dupleix et La Bourdonnais: essai critique. Paris : Ligue maritime et coloniale, 1943
Dureau Reydellet: Mahé de La Bourdonnais, gouverneur des Mascareignes. Saint-Denis: Éd. CNH, 1994 (Cahiers de notre histoire ; 45–46) ISBN2-909471-14-4
Louis Roubaud: La Bourdonnais. Publication : Paris : Plon, 1932 (Les grandes figures coloniales ; 10)
Jackie Ryckebusch: Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais : entre les Indes et les Mascareignes. Sainte-Clotilde : Éd. du CRI, 1989 (Collection: Figures) ISBN2-907017-05-5
Robert Surcouf: Souvenirs historiques sur Mahé de La Bourdonnais: le combat de La Hogue. Eloge de La Tour d'Auvergne. Portzmoguer (Primauguet). Saint-Malo, 1886
Le Guide de Pondichéry. L'unique guide français de Pondichéry. Editions Presse Bureau 2008/2009. Pondicherry.
Pondicherry Heritage Trail. Published by INTACH, Pondicherry. December 2007.
External links
Media related to François Mahé de La Bourdonnais at Wikimedia Commons
May 31, 2023
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This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message Bertrand Francois Mahe comte de La Bourdonnais 11 February 1699 10 November 1753 was a French naval officer and colonial administrator in the service of the French East India Company Bertrand Francois Mahe de La BourdonnaisMahe de La Bourdonnais Retrat per Antoine GraincourtBorn11 February 1699 Died10 November 1753 aged 54 Contents 1 Biography 2 Recognition and legacy 3 Family 4 References 5 Further reading 5 1 Autobiography 5 2 Biography 6 External linksBiography EditLa Bourdonnais entered the service of the French East India Company as a lieutenant In 1724 he was promoted to captain and displayed such bravery in the capture of Mahe on the Malabar Coast that the name of the town was added to his own although an alternative account suggests that the town adopted his name rather than the other way around For two years he was in the service of the Portuguese Viceroy but in 1735 he returned to French service as governor of the Isle de France now Mauritius and the Ile de Bourbon Reunion His first five years administration of the islands was vigorous and successful He significantly increased the enslaved African population in Isle de France Mauritius which grew from only 638 in 1735 by around 1 300 annually Labourdonnais also brought 70 slaves for his own estate 1 2 In 1744 Labourdonnais assembled a squadron of 3 342 men including 720 slaves and led a military expedition from Isle de France to Madras in India His victory increased the rivalry with Governor of Pondicherry Joseph Francois Dupleix Soon Labourdonnais was accused of receiving money from the British East India Company and in 1746 he was forced to return to France to face trial and was jailed at the Bastille for 3 years He was replaced by Pierre Felix Barthelemy David the son of a director of the French East India Company 3 Recognition and legacy EditIn 1742 his name was given to the main island Mahe Island of the Seychelles archipelago by French explorer Lazare Picault In 1806 the French General Decaen founded and named the historic port village of Mahebourg in homage to Mahe de La Bourdonnais Close to the village of Mapou in Riviere du Rempart District there is an estate named Domaine de Labourdonnais with its manor house known as Le Chateau de Labourdonnais built in 1856 and now converted into a museum 4 A statue of La Bourdonnais was erected at Place D Armes in Port Louis on 30 August 1859 during a ceremony 5 In Curepipe a school called Lycee La Bourdonnais was founded in 1953 where the curriculum is modelled on practices in France 6 There is another statue of La Bourdonnais in the port of Saint Malo France 7 In Saint Denis Reunion a statue of La Bourdonnais was also erected and a suburb is named Cite Labourdonnais However the statue and suburb in Reunion island have been the target of anti slavery protesters since 2020 8 9 Family EditIn March and April 1738 two of Labourdonnais children died and in May 1738 his wife also died on Isle de France Mauritius His daughter Montlezun Pardiac continued to live on Isle de France Mauritius and received an annual pension of 3 000 Louis following a vote in the National Assembly in August 1798 His grandson was Louis Charles Mahe de La Bourdonnais In December 1827 a lead lined coffin containing the remains of Labourdonnais wife and child was discovered during repairs of a government building near the Jardin de la Compagnie 10 References Edit Teelock Vijaya 2016 12 29 Transition from slavery in Zanzibar and Mauritius a comparative history Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa pp 25 43 ISBN 9782869786806 Truth and Justice Commission Report Vol 1 PDF Government of Mauritius Retrieved 2021 07 04 Vaughan Megan 2005 02 01 Creating the Creole Island Slavery in Eighteenth Century Mauritius Durham and London Duke University Press pp 46 48 ISBN 9780822333999 Retrieved 2021 07 04 Domaine de Labourdonnais Un grand bol d air frais lexpress mu 20 March 2018 Retrieved 2021 08 24 De Burgh Edwardes S D The History of Mauritius 1507 1914 PDF East and West Ltd Retrieved 2021 07 05 Lycee La Bourdonnais quand l excellence s ouvre sur le monde Lagazette 16 April 2021 Retrieved 2021 04 16 Jeannot Alain Le rond point de Labourdonnais a St Malo Zinfos Retrieved 2019 06 16 RACISME Mahe de Labourdonnais Dans le viseur des Militants a la Reunion Zinfos Retrieved 2020 06 10 Quemener Luna Cite Labourdonnais changer de nom pour symboliser un nouveau cadre de vie Linfo Re Retrieved 2021 02 07 De Burgh Edwardes S D The History of Mauritius 1507 1914 PDF East and West Ltd Retrieved 2021 07 05 Further reading EditAutobiography Edit B F Mahe de La Bourdonnais Memoires historiques de B F Mahe de La Bourdonnais gouverneur des iles de France et de la Reunion recueillis et publies par son petit fils Cte A C Mahe de La Bourdonnais Paris 1890 with a second edition Paris 1898 Biography Edit Histoire ou eloge historique de M Mahe de La Bourdonnais n p n d Ile Maurice Mahe de La Bourdonnais documents reunis par le comite du bi centenaire de La Bourdonnais 11 fevrier 1899 avec des annotations par le comite des souvenirs historiques 2 aout 1899 Port Louis E Pezzani 1899 Etienne Buisson Le mirage de l Inde la dramatique existence d un grand Francais au XVIIIe siecle Bertrand Mahe de La Bourdonnais Paris Hachette 1937 Pierre Crepin Mahe de La Bourdonnais gouverneur general des iles de France et de Bourbon 1699 1753 Paris Leroux n d Louis Ducrocq Une ingratitude nationale La Bourdonnais gouverneur des iles de France et de Bourbon 1735 1746 Arras Sueur Charruey 1902 Reprinted from the Revue de Lille of August 1902 Philippe Haudrere La Bourdonnais marin et aventurier Paris Desjonqueres 1992 ISBN 2 904227 63 6 E Herpin Mahe de La Bourdonnais et la Compagnie des Indes Saint Brieuc R Prud homme 1905 Alfred de Longperier Grimoard Notice historique sur La Bourdonnais Paris 1856 Huguette Ly Tio Fane Pineo Ile de France 1715 1746 Tome I L emergence de Port Louis Moka Ile Maurice Mahatma Gandhi Institute 1993 ISBN 99903 39 00 7 Michel Missoffe Dupleix et La Bourdonnais essai critique Paris Ligue maritime et coloniale 1943 Dureau Reydellet Mahe de La Bourdonnais gouverneur des Mascareignes Saint Denis Ed CNH 1994 Cahiers de notre histoire 45 46 ISBN 2 909471 14 4 Louis Roubaud La Bourdonnais Publication Paris Plon 1932 Les grandes figures coloniales 10 Jackie Ryckebusch Bertrand Francois Mahe de La Bourdonnais entre les Indes et les Mascareignes Sainte Clotilde Ed du CRI 1989 Collection Figures ISBN 2 907017 05 5 Robert Surcouf Souvenirs historiques sur Mahe de La Bourdonnais le combat de La Hogue Eloge de La Tour d Auvergne Portzmoguer Primauguet Saint Malo 1886 Le Guide de Pondichery L unique guide francais de Pondichery Editions Presse Bureau 2008 2009 Pondicherry Pondicherry Heritage Trail Published by INTACH Pondicherry December 2007 External links Edit Media related to Francois Mahe de La Bourdonnais at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bertrand Francois Mahe de La Bourdonnais amp oldid 1143179910, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
