19th century indenture has been described as a ‘New system of slavery’. Explain .
In the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Indians and Chinese laborers
went to work on plantations in mines and in mines and in road and railways
construction projects around the world.
1. In India, indentures laborers were hired under contracts which promises
return travel to India after they had worked for five years on plantations.
2. Gradually in India cottage industries declined, land rents rose, land were
cleared for mines and plantations. All this affected the lines of the poor. They
failed to pay their rents become indebted, and were forced to migrate in search
of work.
3. The main destinations of Indian indentured migrants were the Caribbean
islands, Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam, Mauritius, Fiji and Ceylon and Malaya.
4. Recruitment was done by agent engaged by employers and paid small commission.
