Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, was the first destination of the "great experiment" of indentured labour after slavery was abolished in the British empire. From 1834 hundreds of thousands of Indians — mostly from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and also from the south — arrived to work on sugar plantations. Their descendants, about half the population, are today the largest community in Mauritius.
History
- 1834The first indentured labourers arrive (2 November is now marked as Aapravasi Day).
- 1834–1920About 450,000 indentured Indians pass through the immigration depot at Port Louis.
- 1968Mauritius becomes independent under Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
- 2006The Aapravasi Ghat depot is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hindu life today
Hindu Mauritians have kept Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi traditions alive. On Maha Shivaratri hundreds of thousands walk to the crater lake Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), believed to be connected to the Ganga. Divali, Thaipusam and Ganesh Chaturthi are public holidays.
Mauritius has close cultural ties with India; Hindi and Bhojpuri are taught in schools, and the World Hindi Secretariat is based there.
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Frequently asked questions
When did Indians first come to Mauritius as indentured labourers?
In 1834; 2 November is commemorated as Aapravasi Day.
What is Ganga Talao?
A crater lake in Mauritius, also called Grand Bassin, where Hindus make pilgrimage on Maha Shivaratri.
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Read nextFiji — The Girmitiyas of the PacificSources & copyright status
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Aapravasi Ghat
- Statistics Mauritius, population census — 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.
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