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“Hill coolies” in colonial Mauritius 1834 –1840

Madhwi

Asian and Pacific Migration Journal2026https://doi.org/10.1177/01171968261420431article
ABDC C
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

This study explores the colonial conception, migration, and labor experiences of “hill coolies” from India to Mauritius between 1834 and 1840. Drawing on archival materials, it investigates how colonial officials and plantation owners viewed hill communities, particularly the Dhangars, as submissive, diligent, and suitable for indentured labor due to their socio-economic disenfranchisement and perceived cultural simplicity. Additionally, it delves into the challenges faced by hill coolies, such as poor working conditions, cultural dislocation, and high mortality rates, especially during sea voyages. It highlights how these factors, alongside evolving economic strategies and the need for greater social control, led to a shift in preference toward plain laborers. Positioned within the broader frameworks of global capitalism, the transformation of slavery and colonial oppression, this work underscores the resilience and agency of displaced communities in the face of systemic exploitation. By revealing the entrenched structural inequalities perpetuated by the indentured labor system, it offers critical insights into the socio-economic and political dynamics that influenced migration, labor policies, and the lived experiences of hill coolies in the colonial era.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/01171968261420431

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@article{madhwi2026,
  title        = {{“Hill coolies” in colonial Mauritius 1834 –1840}},
  author       = {Madhwi},
  journal      = {Asian and Pacific Migration Journal},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/01171968261420431},
}

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“Hill coolies” in colonial Mauritius 1834 –1840

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.