India
celebrates 76 Independence this year on 15 August remembering its martyrs and
freedom fighters, celebrating its exemplary success and respect earned and
achieved in various fields. Within this pomp and show an incident of forced and
lured migration of laborers between 1834 and 1920 from India to various Dutch
and British Colonies comprises a significant, yet, a lost unrecognized and
unremembered chapter in colonial history.
Today
Indians are witnessing exemplary success and are respected throughout the
world. People of Indian origin are CEO’s of some of the world’s biggest
companies, like Google, Microsoft etc. They run government in some countries
like UK and Ireland and form most influential and largest share of population
in countries like Canada and UAE, but the fact that remains hidden and ignored is
migrants from India have paid a huge price for this recognition and success.
They
were lured only to be replacement for slaves for different colonies, and one
such destination is Mauritius. Mauritius a small island, whose economy was
totally and heavily dependent on sugarcane plantation, initially relied heavily
on slaves from Africa.
Year
1833, witnessed abolition of slavery, resulting severe labor crisis in
different colonies, including Mauritius. Approximately 470000 Indians were sent
between 1834 and 1920, offering a vast pool of cheap labor. They were forced to
live in crowded and unhygienic conditions, working for long hours on minimal
pay, faced high mortality rates and epidemics.
The
migration of Indian laborers is a cruel example of hardship and exploitation
under British colonial rule. Despite end of slavery a century ago, it continues
to impact their descendents and yet another constant reminder of colonial
practices and a forgotten, lost and dark chapter in history of India.
