Maolin : History

The name Maolin was not introduced until 1957. However, the village was established at its current location by the Japanese, who moved residents there from deeper in the mountains to bring them under control.

Aboriginal people are believed to have lived in Taiwan for over 6,000 years. However, the oldest written records date only from the time of the Dutch occupation in the early 17th century, and few details of their history are known today. As Han Chinese settlers multiplied on the island, aboriginals were either assimilated or moved to very remote locations. During the Japanese era, conflicts often resulted when the occupiers imposed their control on remote areas by force.
The majority of indigenous people in the Maolin area are Rukai. They are one of the smaller tribes, with a population of about 7,800 throughout the southern mountains. Following the establishment of the ROC in Taiwan, the Rukai practiced local administration and elections and underwent modernization.

Reference：

http://www.maolin-nsa.gov.tw/maolin/index.php?lang=ct&style=style2