Treaty of Thaba Bosiu

The Treaty of Thaba Bosiu was signed in 1866 between the Sotho people, led by Moshoeshoe I, and the Boers of the Orange Free State. This treaty was a result of escalating conflicts over land in the Caledon River valley. The Sotho had initially repelled Boer advances in 1858, but the Boers eventually gained the upper hand in 1866.

The treaty forced the Sotho to cede significant territory to the Boers. However, this territorial loss was partially mitigated when British annexation of Sotho territory occurred in 1868, preventing the complete collapse of the Sotho kingdom. The Sotho kingdom, centered at Thaba Bosiu, had been established by Moshoeshoe I as a refuge during the turbulent Difaqane period in the early 19th century. Moshoeshoe skillfully united various Sotho groups and welcomed missionaries, but faced increasing pressure from Boer settlers.12