Paper short abstract:

Caste and the Indian labour diaspora continues to be a much mythologised and controversial subject. The paper will attempt to unpack past and present stereotypes and generalisations in colonial, nationalist and post-colonial discourse on Indian Ocean labour migration, with particular reference to Mauritius.

Paper long abstract:

Beginning with an analysis of data on the recruitment of North Indian migrants indentured to labour in overseas sugar colonies immediately post 1857, the paper will attempt to unpack past and present stereotypes and generalisations about 'low castes', 'high castes', 'disappearing castes' 'withering away of the caste system' and 'castelessness' in diaspora. Myths raised and reframed in colonial, nationalist and post-colonial discourse on Indian overseas labour migration will be re-assessed, with particular reference to Mauritius.