On 30 May 1845 the ship Fatel Razack landed the first indentured Indian labourers in Trinidad. Over the next seventy years about 145,000 followed. Their descendants make up a large part of the country's population, and Hinduism is one of its major religions.
History
- 1845The Fatel Razack arrives (30 May, now Indian Arrival Day, a public holiday).
- 1845–1917About 145,000 indentured Indians arrive.
- 1962Independence.
- 1966Divali becomes a national holiday.
Hindu life today
Divali is celebrated nationally with thousands of deyas, and the Divali Nagar festival site showcases Indian culture. The Temple in the Sea at Waterloo, built by the labourer Siewdass Sadhu, who began it on the seabed after being refused land, is a symbol of devotion and perseverance. Phagwah (Holi) and Ramleela performances are popular.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad?
A public holiday on 30 May marking the arrival of the Fatel Razack with the first indentured Indians in 1845.
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Read nextGuyana and Suriname — Hindus of South AmericaSources & copyright status
- Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago, 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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