| Basutoland
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| In the early 19th century, Paramount Chief MOSHESHWE (ruled c.1820-70) welded the Basuto nation out of these diverse Bantu-speaking peoples. From 1858 to 1868 the Basuto were at war with the Boers, who won a large piece of Basuto land. To prevent further loss, the kingdom became a British protectorate at Mosheshwe's request in 1868. It was a British High Commission territory from 1884 to 1959 and gained independence on Oct. 4, 1966. |
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Lesotho, formerly Batusoland, is a small, landlocked country in southern Africa that is entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. |