Sharing the fruits of a decade and a half of research, visiting Indian Author Leela Gujadhur Sarup lectured on the topic of indentured labour with particular reference to Mauritius last Monday at the Umana Yana.
Researching her family’s Mauritian roots led the author to compile a unique collection of primary source documents, over the course of 15 years, from the archives of Calcutta, New Delhi, Bombay and Madras.
Introducing her subject, Sarup spoke about the callous way emigrants were treated on board the ships, citing criticisms coming from citizens of Calcutta and London. She noted that there was a paucity of records regarding this matter in the archives.
She said the first batches of indentured labourers had started under the rule of Lord Bentinck from 1834. There were no Colonial Emigration Acts at this time to control the movement of indentured labourers. Private agents authorized by the planters of Mauritius came to India to recruit men.
She said when slavery was formally abolished in 1834, G.C. Arbuthnot, a private recruiting agent, signed an agreement on September 9, 1834, in the presence of the chief magistrate and the superindent of the Calcutta police, which enabled him to take 36 hill coolies to Mauritius. These coolies were illiterate and they were made to affix their thumbprints on the very first contract.
Sarup detailed the clauses: contract of five years, to and fro free passage, wages, six months advance pay, deductions per month on account of repatriation passage (If the contract was not fulfilled, the entire amount would be refunded), free rations, free accommodation and free clothing.
She noted that an embargo in emigration to Mauritius was in effect from 1838, but a few clandestine shipments still occurred. She said that the East India Company from Calcutta and London set up enquiry committees and records of the reports submitted by committee members are available at the National Library, Kolkata, among the documents of the East India Company affairs and the Chronicles of the House of Commons.
Sarup donated a collection of her works to the University of Guyana. Assistant Librarian Ms. Gloria Cummings, who received the material on behalf of the institution, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that though the library has material on the subject of indentured immigration labour, it is from the Guyana perspective and getting the material is completing the circle.
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, addressing attendees at the event, described Sarup as more than a historian, a woman of tremdous energy, and he detailed her achievements.
A woman of varied interests, Sarup is the Managing Director of Dr. Sarup’s Pest Control Ltd, an organisation that has over 20 branches across India. She wrote “A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control”, the first of its kind in India, which was well received.
Reading for a Teachers Diploma in beauty therapy in the United Kingdom, she is the creator of a line of cosmetics called Herbelle, which is marketed overseas. She also finds time to design jewellery.
She has set up one of the largest integrated Angoras rabbit breeding farms in Asia and also created a software programme to monitor breeding and shearing processes and guaranteed high wool yield. She also wrote a top selling booklet on breeding German Angora rabbits. The farm in Musoorie, Uttarakhand, generates employment for many persons in the areas with weaving, knitting and spinning activities.
She currently spends time editing the transcribed research materials of the Colonial Emigration of the 19th and 20th century proceedings during the winter months when she goes from the Himalayas to Kolkata.