The place of the Great Experiment
A symbol of Mauritius’ identity the Aapravsi Ghat is the old immigration depot where the modern indentured labour diaspora began.
In 1834, the British Government picked the island of Mauritius as an experiment site where free labour replaced slavery. During 1834 to 1920 almost half a million indentured labourers arrived from India at Aapravasu Ghat to work in sugar plantations of Mauritius, it was also a spot where they were transferred to other areas such as Reunion Island, Australia, southern and eastern Africa or the Caribbean. The Aapravsi Ghat building is among the earliest manifestations of what later became a global economic system.
When immigrants entered at the Immigration Depot, the personal data along with two photographs of each person were taken. The labourers had to stay at the site for two days till all administrative procedures were done and they were assigned to the sugar estates. The majority of these immigrant workers came from different parts of India including, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bombay. Planters usually called at the Aapravsi Ghat to pick the laborers.
Today, more than seventy percent of Mauritius’s populations are descended from the indentured labourers who arrived through the Aapravsi Ghat. As a site there are only three original structures of the building still remains however it symbolises the identity of Mauritius thus earning a place in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is no secret that Mauritius is home to sapphire blue waters and powder white beaches and of course many a luxury Mauritius Resort the likes of the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort. There are plenty of simple pleasures on the island that will give you ample satisfaction.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+
