What is the history of Levuka?

The first colonial capital of Fiji, Levuka is a port town on the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau. It is the economic hub and the largest of the 24 settlements on the island.

Founded around 1820, Levuka was developed as an important trading town by European and American colonizers, who built port facilities, warehouses, stores, residences, educational and social institutions.

Levuka is considered a rare example of a late colonial port town, which was influenced in its development by the indigenous community which outnumbered the European settlers.

History

The first modern town in the Fiji islands, Levuka became an important port and trading post which sustained traders, missionaries, businessmen, and shipwrights among others.

The U.S. Exploring Expedition, an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean conducted by the U.S., visited Levuka in 1840. By 1870, the town had a population of over 800.

When the first modern nation state of Fiji was founded in 1871, Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the king was crowned king at Levuka. In 1874, after Fiji was annexed as a British colony, Levuka was named its capital. It remained so until 1877, when the administration was moved to Suva prompted by concerns of lack of space for expansion due to the hills and cliffs surrounding the port town.

 

Picture Credit : Google