Indentured Indians reached British Guiana (now Guyana) on 5 May 1838 aboard the Whitby and the Hesperus, and Dutch Suriname on 5 June 1873 aboard the Lalla Rookh. Both dates are now national holidays, and in both countries people of Indian descent form the largest ethnic group, with Hindus a major religious community.
History
- 1838First indentured Indians arrive in British Guiana (5 May).
- 1873The Lalla Rookh arrives in Suriname (5 June).
- 1917Indenture ends.
- 1966 / 1975Independence of Guyana and Suriname.
Hindu life today
In Guyana, Phagwah (Holi) and Diwali are national holidays. In Suriname, Indians — called Hindustanis — speak Sarnami, a Bhojpuri-based language, and Diwali and Holi Phagwa are public holidays. Many Surinamese Hindus have also settled in the Netherlands.
Read more
Frequently asked questions
When did Indians first arrive in Suriname?
On 5 June 1873, aboard the Lalla Rookh.
Found this useful?
Light a diya, add a note, or share it with others.
Read nextSouth Africa — Hindus of NatalSources & copyright status
- Bureau of Statistics, Guyana; General Bureau of Statistics, Suriname — censuses — census data
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright.
- Commentary and translations on this page: original to The Hindu Book. © The Hindu Book, all rights reserved.
The Hindu Book is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with any political party, religious organisation or movement, and nothing here implies endorsement by any organisation. This page is published for education and review. If you hold rights in any material quoted here, or believe a source is misrepresented, please write to [email protected].