Basutoland

Basutoland was the name of a British protectorate in southern Africa from 1868 to 1966. It covered the highland region inhabited by the Basotho people and took its name from them; Basutoland means “land of the Basotho.” The protectorate was established to provide security for the Basotho kingdom during a period of frontier conflicts with neighboring groups.

Historically, Moshoeshoe I united various Sotho-speaking communities in the early 19th century after the difaqane wars. Facing pressure from Boer settlers and Zulu incursions, he sought British protection for his people, which led to the 1868 declaration that Basutoland would be a British protectorate under the Crown. The Gun War of 1880–81 reinforced British authority while preserving Basotho governance under chiefs and a resident commissioner, and the administration remained under British oversight for much of the colonial period.

Geographically, Basutoland is landlocked, entirely surrounded by South Africa, and is characterized by the Maloti Mountains and the Drakensberg range, giving it a high-altitude, rugged landscape. The population is predominantly Basotho, who speak Sesotho. Maseru, the capital and largest city, serves as the administrative and economic center.

On 4 October 1966 Basutoland gained independence from Britain and became Lesotho, a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. The transition established a parliamentary system with a king as head of state and a prime minister as head of government.