At the recently held Global India Diaspora Conference, a significant research paper was presented focusing on the atrocities and horrors faced by Tamil Girmityas (Indentured Labourers) from the Madras Presidency in the French colony of Guadeloupe between 1845 and 1900. The paper was presented by B Jagannath and M Kumaresan from the Centre for South Indian Studies, Tamil Nadu. Drawing upon extensive archival material sourced globally, including from the National Archives of India, and data from the work of Christian Schakenbourg, the research stood out as a focused and dedicated study on the suffering of Tamil indentured labourers in Guadeloupe. This was one of its kind, uniquely dealing with the specific plight of Tamil Girmityas from the Madras Presidency during the colonial period.
The Global India Diaspora Conference is an annual international event organised by the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC), a government organisation of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. This year’s conference was held with great fanfare in the last week of May 2025, coinciding with the 180th year of Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme of the research abstracts and paper submissions was “Indentured Labourers/Girmityas”, which attracted participation from scholars across the globe, including from India.
The research paper by Jagannath specifically brought to light the untold atrocities committed on Tamil indentured labourers, transported from the Madras Presidency to Guadeloupe, a lesser-known French colony. It highlighted the human rights violations, suffering, and systemic exploitation that these individuals endured under the colonial indenture system during the period of 1845-1900.
The research paper also focused on hard won voting rights due to the phenomenal crusade and monumental effort by Henry Sidambaram, whose relentless pursuit against the French Colonial Government in a democratic manner, despite the Lesse Faire doctrine adopted by the Republic & his imprisonment in harsh conditions for 27 years, he achieved a significant milestone & breakthrough-which is to receive voting rights for the Bhartiya Hindu Tamil Indentured labourers in Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe, a French colony, lies in the south of Caribbean islands and is a group of Islands
Today as a consequence of the same, many politicians have been elected because of the sweat, toil, blood & sacrifice in a movement led by Henry Sidambaram, before World War II, against the white imperialistic colonial might in Guadeloupe. During the conference, the duo from Tamil Nadu, also culturally supported the Native Indian Food culture brought into Trinidad by the Indentured labourers 180 years ago, through which Roti & Baigan was served through traditional cooking method. This was published in iconic The Guardian Newspaper of Trinidad & Tobago.
As a consequence of paper presentation, it has invigorated much needed awareness about the Atrocities committed against Bhartiya Hindu Tamilians in Guadeloupe and increased the focus significantly amidst the relevant piers and has gained more prominence & traction. This is seen as a victory against the White Imperialistic Colonizers, who superimposed their hegemonic brutalistic methodology of total subjugation towards Bhartiya Tamil Hindus in Guadeloupe. This ensured that the common monopolistic narrative of glorification of colonisers were smashed, as there was a controlled media blackout against rasing the voice in this regard.
Furthermore, the duo also met & interacted with several leading authorities from across the globe, through the platform established by NCIC, including His Excellency Channi Choen, a recipient of the Order of Orange from Netherlands & with Kumar Mahavir -Shalima Mohammed of Indo Carribean Cultural centre and His Excellency Deoroop Timal, The Senator in the upper house of Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from Port of Spain & current Honourable President of NCIC, Chaguanas & the duo received a certificate for participation from him.
In addition to the aforementioned, they made a field visit as part of effective research to Kalimata temple at Stratham Lodge extension Road opposite to West Indies University, Augustine, Port of Spain and met Dayal Munusamy, a Fifth Generation Devout Strong Bhartiya Hindu, who is taking great care of the Madras Kali Hindu Temple and is still keeping the tradition alive after 180 years of Indentured labourers (Madras Girmitya) arrival.
The rich culturally diverse exposure is hoped to further strengthen better cultural, religious bond and crucial ties amongst the two countries – Bharath and Trinidad
Among the Indian scholars who participated were Dr. Deepti Agarwal of Delhi University, Dr. Jawahar Karnawat, former CEO of Bank of Baroda, alongside the Tamil Nadu scholars B. Jagannath and M. Kumaresan. The conference witnessed diverse presentations that explored various aspects of the indentured labour system, which played a key role in shaping the Indian diaspora across the world.
European colonialism remains one of the darkest chapters in global history, marked by the slave trade, indentured labour, and massive economic exploitation and loot. The victims of this ruthless system included thousands from the Madras Presidency, that included today’s Tamil Nadu region most of parts of Andhra, parts of Orissa, parts of Karnataka like Ballari, North Kerala too, who were forcibly recruited and subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions under colonial rule. The Girmitya system, as reflected in the Tamil experience in Guadeloupe, is a grim reminder of the deep scars left by colonial powers on countless lives and communities.
Among the many research books on the British colonial period published by CSIS is a biography of Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty, authored by B. Jagannath, which highlights Chetty’s efforts that led to the discontinuation of Biblical studies from the education system in British India, particularly in the Madras Presidency.
The Centre for South Indian Studies (CSIS) is dedicated to academic research and analysis across economic, social, historical, and political domains. It commissions rigorous studies on subjects related to South India and actively encourages academicians and students to undertake fresh research that challenges conventional narratives. By promoting a scientific understanding of regional issues, CSIS seeks to deepen public discourse. In addition to organising research initiatives, the Centre regularly publishes scholarly works and conducts social awareness programmes.
