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Paper short abstract:

This study examines the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery and kala azar within the Assam tea industry during the 1860s. It highlights the heightened vulnerability of "outsider coolies" to these epidemics due to their inadequate acclimatization to the local tropical environment.

Paper long abstract:

“when coolies succumb to the climate, the pity is felt, not for them, but for their employer” – Dowding, Reverend. Tea-Garden Coolies in Assam- A Letter, 1894.

The 'discovery' of tea in Assam during the nineteenth century marked a pivotal moment for the British Empire, as it presented an opportunity to challenge China's dominance in the global tea market. This article examines the transformative period from the 1860s, which is regarded as the onset of a 'tea mania,' fueled in part by the Fee Simple Act of 1862 that facilitated the sale of land at remarkably low prices. This era also witnessed the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, leading to a labour shortage in British colonies. The indentured labour system emerged as a crucial solution, with 'coolies' playing a vital role in the workforce. To maximize profits, planters turned to the 'arkattis,' the lowest tier of the recruitment system, to source inexpensive labour from outside Assam. However, the tropical climate proved unsuitable for these 'outsiders,' resulting in alarmingly high mortality rates due to prevalent diseases like cholera, dysentery and kala azar (black fever). This study focuses on the factors that contributed to the increased vulnerability of "outsider coolies" in the face of such epidemics, shedding light on the broader understanding of public health issues during that time.