BAATN in association with
We are living through very significant times, where history is bearing down on us.
BAATN is excited to be collaborating with The National Archives again, to present a series of workshops on Indian Indentureship where we will explore themes of departure, journey and settlement using records from the archives, personal reflections, and oral testimony.
Trinidad Coolies arrived from India at depot c1890, The National Archives CO 1069/392 pt2 (14)
Trinidad Coolies arrived from India at depot c1890, The National Archives CO 1069/392 pt2 (15)
Spring Garden & Chepstow tramway, indentured labourers at Spring Garden Buildings, Portland, Jamaica 1880, The National Archives CO 137/497/29 (519)
The term ‘coolie’ was used in the past to describe Indian indentured labour and has pejorative connotations. In more recent times there has been a movement to re-appropriate the term and use it more positively.
Indian Indenture Legacy Area
This area will become a source of links and information as part of a continuing dialogue about the period of Indian Indenture and its impact on the present.
Recordings of online events
Recording of online event that took place on the 17th of October 2020
In the initial online workshop, we reflected on the story of the 83 years of Indian indentureship from 1834 to 1917. Iqbal Singh and Michael Mahoney from The National Archives Outreach Team (the official archive of the UK government) and Vidya Maharaj (BAATN member), introduced us to the topic of Indian indentureship, including by using documents stored at The National Archives. The event is hosted by BAATN director, Eugene Ellis
Recording of online event that took place on Sat, 24 Jul 2021
This second in the series, one-day workshops, was structured around departure, journey and settlement using records from the archives, personal reflections and oral testimony. The workshop was presented by Iqbal Singh of the National Archives and Vidya Maharaj (BAATN member). The event is hosted by BAATN director, Eugene Ellis
Personal Reflections
Posts of personal reflections of Indian Indentureship?
Following on from the live event on the 17th October 2020 (recording above), the invitation was sent out to post comments of your personal stories relating to Indian Indentureship, what it means for you and how it lives on in the present in your family and community.
Post a new entry below
Thank you to all the presenters.