Letsie I

Letsie I succeeded his father Moshoeshoe I as paramount chief of the Basotho. His succession was contested by some rivals, but he maintained unity under British protection.

Letsie I led the Basotho in the Gun War against the British Cape Colony, which attempted to disarm the Basotho. The Basotho successfully resisted, forcing the British to abandon the disarmament policy.

Letsie I worked with British colonial administrators to govern Basutoland after it became a Crown colony. He maintained traditional authority while adapting to colonial rule, preserving Basotho autonomy.