Benevolent neutrality: Indian government policy and labour migration to British Guiana, 1854-1884

by Basdeo Mangru

First published in 1987, Benevolent Neutrality is a detailed, scholarly study of the migration of Indian labourers overseas and their living and working conditions under the iniquitous indenture system. Based largely on unpublished sources, this volume analyses the socio-economic, political and cultural factors which induced a traditionally non-migratory people to leave their motherland for service in distant sugar colonies.

Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Ken Puddicombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Mangru has done a tremendous job in documenting the vagaries of the Indentureship system under the colonizers. It's been suggested for many years by many people, that the Indentureship system which replaced slavery in the colonies, was no more than a reinvigorated and re-engineered form of bondage. This book reinforces this assessment and lays bare the claim that it was anything but a benign attempt to raise the standard of living of the East Indians. Recommended reading for all Caribbean and Guyanese of every generation.