Reasons behind large scale international migration from India during colonial rule.







Topic 6- Reasons behind large scale international migration from India during colonial rule.

Migration has been an integral part of nations and very important factor in redistributing population over time and space. India has seen the migration of people since ages and both the emigration and immigration took place in and out of India. But with the advent of colonial powers in India, the reasons and patterns got changed and diversified. To understand the reasons of international migration under the colonial rule, the patterns and its types are very much necessary to understand.

Patterns of International Migration
Under the British rule several factors contributed and as result of which various patterns of migration were developed on the basis of need of the type of labor required in particular country. 
(i)                 Unskilled labor migration: This type of migration took place in those areas where skills were not required to get employed such as sugar industries and tea plantations. This type of migration took place to Fiji, South Africa, Mauritius and South East Asian countries.
(ii)               Contract labor migration or Kangani/Maistry labor: Under this type, to promote the labor migration the families of workers were settled for plantation at the place of working with the help of heads known as Kangani or Maistry. This pattern was followed in countries such as Sri Lanka and Burma.
(iii)     Free or passage emigration: Through this the white collar workers, technicians and trading classes migrated from India to East and South Africa mainly from Punjab and Gujarat.
(iv)      Technological Experts emigration: The highly educated and well trained class of migrants went to US and UK to work.

Types of International Migrants

Migrants were distinguished in terms of their needs from the respective countries. It resulted in different class of migrants.
(i)          Economic Migrants: These were those who went to get better economic opportunities. The push and the pull factors of economy worked for them to migrate.
(ii)       Family Migrants: People who were working abroad were supported by the policies of the then government and settled with their families such as in case of Kangani system in Sri Lanka.
(iii)       Educational Migrants: The process of westernization influenced the people to get higher education. Students went there and got settled there for better opportunities.
(iv)       Illegal Migrants: People also migrated illegally sometime for a better life or from avoiding prosecutions.
(v)       Political Migrants: During the freedom struggle lot of freedom fighters migrated to US, UK, Singapore, Japan etc and represented the Indian causes there.

Reasons for international migration from India

Under the colonial rule the both type of migrations primary (India to other countries) and secondary (Indians migrate to one country to other countries such as from Kenya to US) took place. Between 1800 and 1945 about 30 million Indians were migrated to different parts of the world. The huge level of migration can be attributed to several reasons.
  • ·         Economic reasons: After the slavery got abolished in Britain in 1833 and later on in France, The Netherlands and Portugal. The demand for labor arouse in the sugar and textile industry there in these countries. The economic exploitation of Indians at home had already made them desirable worker for these industries and agriculture. A huge number of workers migrated to Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Burma, US and UK. The poverty in the native place (Push factor) and economic opportunity overseas (Pull factor) encouraged them to migrate in different countries.
  • ·         Political reasons: The various political leaders represented India on international platforms and published articles, pamphlets, newspapers and gathered international support for Indian freedom struggle. For example Ghadar party was made overseas in 1913. The Indian National Army also had its base in Singapore and Japan.
  • ·         Education: This was one of the important reasons for people to migrate to foreign nations. The influence of education and charm of a better life forced people to migrate to western world. Even the prominent freedom fighters, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatama Gandhi, Subhash chandra Bose, Sarojini Naidu and many more, were also got educated from abroad.
  • ·         Business Conducive environment: The colonial countries provided a suitable environment for rich to do business and settlement.
  • ·         Charm for a better life: The western culture and freedom attracted lots of people and they migrated to live in better conditions.

       Conclusion

Migration is a continuous process and during the colonial rule saw a surge due to the factors discussed. In fact the conditions have become more favorable for migration nowadays. The globalization has opened a series of opportunities to migrate.




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