As we celebrate India’s independence, it is crucial to shine a light on the forgotten and often overshadowed pages of history, particularly the indentured era.
This dark chapter, hidden beneath the vastness of time, bears witness to the exploitation and suffering endured by countless souls, even as the world’s attention was fixated on the abolishment of slave trading.
The indentured era, as I often referred to as a “fancy” way of reorganising slavery, remains a haunting testament to the lengths human beings were subjected to in the pursuit of economic gain. Indentured labourers, coerced by circumstances, willingly signed away five to 10 years of their lives, unknowingly embarking on journeys that would separate them from their homeland forever.
The stories of these innocent souls, shipped to distant lands like Fiji, South Africa, Guyana, and more, are a stark reminder of the depths of human suffering.
While the world celebrated the abolishment of the transatlantic slave trade, these narratives were relegated to the shadows.
The ill-treatment and exploitation of indentured labourers, often forced to endure grueling labour, squalid living conditions, and unimaginable hardships, were overlooked.
Unlike the celebrations of freedom that marked India’s independence, these souls had left the shores of their motherland with the heavy realisation that they might never return.
Generations have passed since those dark days, yet the woes and struggles of these forefathers remain largely forgotten.
As we remember the sacrifices that led to India’s freedom, let us also remember the sacrifices of those whose stories were lost to time.
Let us not overlook the pain and resilience of those who toiled far from home, often without a voice to advocate for their rights.
As we revel in the spirit of independence, may we also ensure that the legacy of the indentured era is acknowledged, and the dignity of those who endured it is restored in the annals of history.
India continues to celebrate freedom fighter’s such as Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Tilak, Bose, Pandey, Laxmibai and so many others – India and British ‘raaj’ has to recognise our ancestors too; they too were fighters, fighting for their freedom – fighting for their future generations’ freedom.
Today, children of these indentured labourers live an entitled life (if you have parents, food to eat, an education, access to water – you are entitled), due to our ancestors.
Never forget their pain, dreams, aspirations, struggles – and more importantly; their defeat: Dying in a land far away, never ever to be reunited with their families or their motherland – India.
Never forget!
Story By: Ashneel J Prasad