Bow of honour to the indentured

FOR centuries, European colonial masters had relied on slavery for cheap labour, on the back of which they were able to generate massive profits and accumulate and amass untold wealth.

The history of Indian indenture during the 19th century follows directly on the abolition of slavery.

In 1842, Britain defeated the Boers in Durban (in what is historically referred to as the Battle of Congella) and wrested control of the Colony of Natal.

In 1843, it was annexed by Britain and became what is referred to as “a Crown Colony”. The colony at that time was caught in the grip of a worldwide recession and was on the verge of economic collapse and ruin. It was discovered that sugar cane would thrive in