| With the development of the plantation economy in the Straits Settlements,the demand for labor gradually increased,and Indian labor became the main labor force in the plantations of the Straits Settlements.The import of Indian labor not only promoted the economic development of the Straits Settlements,but also deeply affected the local social culture and ethnic composition.This paper takes the Indian laborers in the plantations of the Straits Settlements during the British colonial period as the research object,and uses official archives such as the "Straits Settlements Government Gazette" and "Straits Settlements Government Annual Report" as the main references to discuss the origin,living conditions and Impact on the Straits Settlements.This article is divided into five chapters.First,it analyzes the historical background of the introduction of Indian labor in the Straits Settlements from three aspects: politics,economy,and social demographic structure;The driving force behind it;the third and fourth chapters take the abolition of the Indian contract labor system in 1910 as the node,and explore the survival of Indian contract labor before 1910 from the aspects of labor system,wages,basic necessities of life,medical care,education,etc.conditions and the living conditions of Indian free laborers after 1910;finally,from the aspects of economy,politics,social culture and population structure,it analyzes the influence of plantation Indian laborers on Straits Settlements society.This study believes that in the 19 th century,the plantations in the Straits Settlements were mainly imported Indian contract laborers,but with the rapid development of the rubber plantation industry in the early 20 th century,the previous Indian contract laborers could no longer meet the needs of colonial plantation owners.In 1908,the Straits Settlements and the Federation of Malays jointly established the Indian Immigration Fund to subsidize Indian laborers to work in Malaya free of charge.During the Great Depression of the world economy from 1929 to 1933,the Fund’s support for immigration was temporarily suspended.Although Fund-sponsored immigration was resumed in May 1934,the Indian Immigration Board imposed strict restrictions on Indian laborers applying for Fund assistance.Thus,in the 1930 s,more and more Indian laborers began to work in the Straits Settlements at their own expense.Due to the harsh working and living conditions in the plantations,Indian indentured laborers had a high death rate throughout the 19 th and early 20 th centuries.After 1910,due to strong pressure from the Indian authorities,the colonial government began to promulgate more comprehensive labor regulations and established the Ministry of Labor.The working conditions,living conditions,and male-to-female ratio of colonial Indian laborers have been greatly improved.Gradually became the main body of the working population of colonial India.In the late 1920 s,plantation Indian laborers began a long-term settlement trend.In short,the Indian laborers in the plantations promoted the development of the commodity planting industry in the colonies,promoted the labor legislation and labor management in the colonies,and promoted the formation and development of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in the colonies. |
