Question

Why have the historians describe the 19th century indentured labour system as a ‘new system of slavery’? Explain any three reasons.
(Class 10 SSt Sample Question Paper)

Answer 1

The 19th century indentured labour system has been described as a ‘new system of slavery’ because:

1.Recruiting agent who often provided them false information about the workplace ,modes of travel, nature of work and living conditions.

2. On arriving at the plantations, intended labour found condition to be different from what they had imagined.Their living conditions were pathetic and inhumane.

3. Intended labour were not given any legal rights of their own. Their payment was little. Deductions were made from their wages if the work was found satisfactory.

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Answer 2

i) It was a world of faster economic growth as well as greater misery, higher income for some, and poverty for others, technological advances in some areas, and new forms of exploitation in others. In India, indentured labourers were hired under contracts which promised the return travel to India, after they had worked for five years on their employer’s plantation.  (ii) Most of the indentured workers migrated in hope for a bright future, but they were exploited by the recruiting agent and by the employer.  (iii)They had to pay a commission to the recruiting agent. (iv)The agents used to provides false information to the workers regarding their final destination, modes of travel, the nature of work and living and working conditions. (v)Sometimes, agents even forcibly abducted less willing migrants.