Mauritian history began with the discovery of the island by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but it was the Dutch who first settled there in 1638. After abandoning the island, the French took control in the 18th century, establishing sugar plantations and bringing enslaved Africans and indentured laborers from India to work. The island became a key naval base in the Indian Ocean. In 1810, the British seized Mauritius during the Napoleonic Wars, and it became a British colony. The island gained independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992. Today, Mauritius is known for its multicultural society and vibrant economy.