Museum of London Docklands to have new display featuring history of Indian indenture in British Caribbean

After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, there was a shortage of cheap labour needed for work at the sugar plantations owned by the British, in their new colonies – the Caribbean islands.

Working together with Londoners of Indo-Caribbean descent, this display will bring to life the story behind the objects, uncovering a hugely significant but largely ‘forgotten’ part of history. pic.twitter.com/k3zDhrVcAz

— Museum of London (@MuseumofLondon) March 21, 2023

Thus, the period between 1838-1917 saw around 450,000 Indians from former British India being taken to the island nations in the Caribbean (Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Guyana etc) as indentured labours.

Workers from India were recruited to work for three to five years in return for transport, a minimum wage and some basic provisions. (Indentured labour was a form of work where bonded labourers were under contract to work for an employer for a specific amount of time). The system has been criticised for the harsh working conditions in plantations, low wages, and workers having little or no legal rights. Indentured servitude was officially banned in 1917 by British India’s Imperial Legislative Council after pressure from freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi.

The display will explore:

📌 The transition between enslaved African labour and the start of Indian indenture, including letters petitioning the government from planter Sir John Gladstone.

📌 The journey from India to the Caribbean, examining the poor conditions on board and strong bonds forged between migrants as they crossed the Kala Pani or ‘dark waters.’

📢 In May, we are opening a new free display at Museum of London Docklands: Indo + Caribbean: The creation of a culture.

📷 Zainab (Jane) Gani in Guyana © The Gani Family pic.twitter.com/xT0Vnpztny

— Museum of London (@MuseumofLondon) March 21, 2023

📌 Life in the Caribbean for indentured labourers, addressing the difficult conditions faced by migrants and the impact of their arrival.
📌 Indo-Caribbean Londoners today, exploring migration to the United Kingdom and drawing on personal stories of London’s Indo-Caribbean community

📌 The display will also draw on photos, jewellery, film and artwork to uncover personal stories and family memories from London’s Indo-Caribbean community.

This event runs from  May 19, 2023 till November 19, 2023.