Some thoughts on the representation and misrepresentation of the Colonial South Asian Labour Diaspora

Crispin Bates

doi:10.1080/02666030.2017.1300372

Some thoughts on the representation and misrepresentation of the Colonial South Asian Labour Diaspora

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This paper explores the representation and misrepresentation of indentured Indian labour migration in the colonial archive and subsequent historiography, and offers some suggestions for alternate ways of viewing the origins of the South Asian labour diaspora. Drawing on ongoing research, it emphasises the need to move away from well-worn dichotomies of ‘slavery’ and ‘free labour’ and instead to re-centre the role of human agency and creativity, even in the face of structural opposition. By reflecting on the limitations of the colonial archive, and emphasising the role of pre-existing networks, returnees and recruiters in facilitating and informing patterns of migration, it suggests ways to move beyond the persistent popular misrepresentations of this process, and find alternative, subaltern perspectives on the indentured labour experience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	7-22
Journal	South Asian Studies
Volume	33
Issue number	1
Early online date	12 May 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/02666030.2017.1300372
Publication status	Published - 12 May 2017

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

indenture
India
labour diaspora
recruiters
archives

Access to Document

10.1080/02666030.2017.1300372

Bates-2017-SAS-Colonial-South-Asian-Labour-Diaspora_Published.pdfFinal published version, 1 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

1 Finished

Becoming Coolies: Rethinking the Origins of the Indian Labour Diaspora, 1772-1920.
Bates, C.
AHRC
1/03/15 → 31/08/17
Project: Research

1 Paper
1 Article

Sirdars as intermediaries in nineteenth century Indian Ocean indentured labour migration
Bates, C. & Carter, M., 6 Apr 2017, In: Modern Asian Studies. 51, 2, p. 462-484
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
Trust and intermediaries in the Indian Labour Diaspora
Bates, C. & Carter, M., 22 Oct 2015, (Unpublished).
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

3 Public Engagement – Festival/Exhibition
2 Invited talk
1 Participation in conference
1 Public Engagement – Public lecture/debate/seminar

Indentured Lives: Rethinking the Experience of Indian Overseas Labour Migration, 1800-1920
Crispin Bates (Organiser)
8 Sept 2016 → 9 Sept 2016
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Juxtapositions – Envisioning the Indian Labour Diaspora
Crispin Bates (Organiser)
Mar 2016 → …
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Public Engagement – Festival/Exhibition
South Asia Overview
Crispin Bates (Speaker)
15 Feb 2016
Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk

Crispin Bates
- School of History, Classics and Archaeology - Personal Chair of Modern & Contemporary South Asian History
- Global Development Academy
- History
Person: Academic: Research Active

Cite this

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Some thoughts on the representation and misrepresentation of the Colonial South Asian Labour Diaspora

Abstract / Description of output

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Projects

Becoming Coolies: Rethinking the Origins of the Indian Labour Diaspora, 1772-1920.

Research output

Sirdars as intermediaries in nineteenth century Indian Ocean indentured labour migration

Trust and intermediaries in the Indian Labour Diaspora

Activities

Indentured Lives: Rethinking the Experience of Indian Overseas Labour Migration, 1800-1920

Juxtapositions – Envisioning the Indian Labour Diaspora

South Asia Overview

Profiles

Crispin Bates

Cite this