The Basotho nation was founded by Moshoeshoe I (1786 - 1870 ; r. 1824 - 1870)
a local Mosotho-chief who, between 1818 and 1831 united several Sotho groups
under his authority. (1)
In 1868, in order to end continious encroachments of the Orange Free State
on his territory and to avoid a possible annexation, Moshoeshoe requested
British protection, his chiefdom becoming a British dependency.
In 1871 the territory was simply annexed to the Cape Colony, but after an
attempt to disarm the Basotho had resulted in revolts and fighting (the so-
called "Gun War") the Cape Government asked the British to be relieved of the
charge of Basutoland and direct British control over the territory was
restored.
(1) No exact date can be given for the foundation of the state.
1824 is the year of the settling of the community at Thaba
- Bossiu, its principal mountain-fortress.
The names Basotho - for the people - and Lesotho - for the
country - were adopted in 1829.
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BRITISH REPRESENTATIVES AND ADMINISTRATORS
Government Agents (2)
(2) Subordinated to the British High Commissioner in Southern Africa until
1871, then to the governor of the Cape Colony.
1868 - 1871 James Henry Bowker 1822 - 1900
1871 - 1881 Charles Duncan Griffith 1830 - 1906
1881 - 1883 Joseph Millerd Orpen
1883 - 1884 Matthew Smith Beyth
Resident Commissioners (3)
(3) Subordinated to the British High Commissioner for and in South Africa (s.a.)
1884 - 1897 Marshal James Clarke 1841 - 1909
1897 - 1901 Godfrey Yeatsman Lagden 1851 - 1934
1902 - 1916 Sir Herbert Cecil Sloley 1855 - 1937
1916 - 1917 Robert Thorne Coryndon 1870 - 1925
1917 - 1926 Edward Charles Frederick Garraway 1865 - 1932
1926 - 1935 John Christian Ramsay Sturrock 1875 - 1937
1935 - 1942 Sir Edmund Charles Smith Richards 1889 - 1955
1942 - 1946 Charles Noble Arden-Clarke 1898 - 1962
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HEADS OF STATE
Paramount Chiefs / Chieftainess
House of Moshoeshoe
(ruled since 1824)
1870 - 1891 Letsie I 1811 - 1891
1891 - 1905 Lerotholi, son 1836 - 1905
1905 - 1913 Letsie II, son 1869 - 1913
1913 - 1939 Nathaniel Griffith, brother 1871 - 1939
1939 - 1940 Seeiso Griffith, son 1905 - 1940
1940 - 1960 Mantsebo Amelia Matsaba Sempe°, principal
widow 1902 - 1964
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