In the Poly-Ethnic World of the Port City

Rai, Rajesh

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198099291.003.0002

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“…The Bengali convicts in the Straits Settlements, one of the oldest migrant sections, have largely been ignored in historical literature. They were categorised under the generic term “Indian” (Rai, 2014). However, the Permanent Settlement caused several peasant resistances, including Santhal Rebellion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Colonising the penal body: transit of the convicts from Bengal to the Malay Peninsula

Rahman

2023

SEAMJ

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PurposeThe British East India Company (EIC) made connections between the Malay Archipelago and Bengal and established a penal settlement at Bencoolen, followed by the Straits Settlements for the Indian convicts. The convicts from different parts of South Asia today were generally described as “Indian”, such generalisation often hides the identity of specific convicts from South Asia. Among the Indian convicts, the Bengalis were transported to Bencoolen and the Straits Settlements. However, the generic term has made it difficult to reconstruct the history of Bengali convicts’ experiences and pathos. Therefore, this paper attempts to “rediscover” the afterlife of transportation of Bengali felons in the Malay Peninsula.Design/methodology/approachBy examining a range of archival records and current scholarships, this article shows the inclusivity, diversity and accessibility of convict labourers with mainstream society. This study will open up a new avenue of convict histories and subaltern studies on Asia.FindingsThe Bengali convicts in the Straits Settlements, one of the oldest migrant sections, have largely been ignored in historical literature. Though the Bengalis, among other South Asian convicts, constituted a significant portion, they were categorised under the generic term “Indian” (Rai, 2014). Their manual labour was invaluable for the colonial economy and the development of the Straits Settlements.Research limitations/implicationsResearcher faced difficulties to get the descendant of Bengali convicts.Originality/valueThis article is a research paper based on mostly archival records; therefore, it is an original contribution to the existing knowledge on the convict history.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 2 shows the approximate number of South Asian convicts in Singapore between 1825 and 1873. After the Sepoy Revolt of 1857–1858, the number of transportees increased by 2000 (Rai, 2014, p. 14). Aiyar recommended that there were 2,319 convicts in the Singapore Jail in 1857.…”

Section: Convictism In the Malay Peninsulamentioning

confidence: 99%

Colonising the penal body: transit of the convicts from Bengal to the Malay Peninsula

Rahman

2023

SEAMJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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In the Poly-Ethnic World of the Port City

Cited by 1 publication

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Colonising the penal body: transit of the convicts from Bengal to the Malay Peninsula

Colonising the penal body: transit of the convicts from Bengal to the Malay Peninsula

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