Indentured Indian Immigration to Natal, 1860- 1870 with special reference to the Hindu Caste System and its implications
While much i s w r i t t e n about the Indians from the time they came t o South
A f r i c a i n 1860 t o the present day, research leading t o the conditions i n
India p r i o r t o 1860 and the possible reasons as t o why they l e f t
has been neglected. This study therefore i s designed to give some
iL n s i g h t i n t o t h e geographic, h i s t o r i c a l and a g r i c u l t u r a l background
o f India, i n p a r t i c u l a r the Presidency o f Madras i n the South o f India
and t o show how caste operated i n a t y p i c a l South Indian v i l l a g e . I
have attempted t o give an explanation of the rules, regulations and r e s t r i c -
t i o n s o f the Hindu caste system.
From the shipping l i s t s o f the Lord George Bentinck and Tyburnia, I
have t r i e d t o analyse the caste, sex, age and regional d i s t r i b u t i o n s
o f the Indians on board these ships. ,
If i n these pages, I can help others o f the West t o come face t o face
w i t h the immense and i n t r i c a t e problems which confront a l l who desire t o
know, and s h a l l enable them t o understand b e t t e r t h e c o n d i t i o n s and
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f 1 i f e i n the Land o f Vedas, I w i l l feel amply repaid
f o r my labours.