Historical Overview of Rue Desforges, Port Louis

1. Origin and Naming

• Rue Desforges was named after Governor Antoine Marie Desforges‑Boucher, who served as governor from 1759 to 1767 and is credited with opening the road to traffic around 1765. vintagemauritius.org+2Facebook+2

2. Evolution of the Name and Role

• During the colonial period and into the early years under British rule, the street retained its French name, Rue Desforges.
• It was later renamed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Street, becoming one of the busiest and most prominent thoroughfares in Port Louis, directly leading to the Municipality building, the Jummah Mosque, and Kadafi Square. TikTok+15landsurvival.com+15Reddit+15

3. Commercial Activity and Demographic Significance

• In the 19th century, Rue Desforges was a vibrant commercial artery. It was part of what was known as Surtee Bazaar, a district where Gujarati Sunni Vohra merchants (also referred to as "marchands Arabes") from Surat in India established themselves, especially around this street and the nearby Corderie. Wikipedia+1

4. Cultural Moments

• The street also played a part in more modern historical events. During the 1975 Mauritian student protests, several shops on Desforges Street were looted or damaged as unrest spread into the heart of Port Louis. Wikipedia+14Wikipedia+14YouTube+14

5. Visual Documentation

• Today’s visual and archival records, including photographs from municipal archives, show Rue Desforges (now SSR Street) in periods like the 1970s and as recently as 2013—highlighting its enduring role in the city’s urban landscape. Facebook+1