Indians in Malaysia, 1900-2010: Different Migration Streams, One Diaspora

Abstract

Indians have gone to Malaysia since ancient times and their various migration engagements, each with its own accompanying background and characteristics, have made an impact on the evolving patterns of Malaysian history. Most Indian migrations were temporary and circular prior to the nineteenth century, but this changed after the 1880s. Subsequently, Indian migrations must be understood as an integral part of the nineteenth century wave of mass migration that accompanied the expanding Atlantic economy, growth of world trade, and greater interaction between Europe and Asia. Following India's incorporation into the British Empire, there was increasing integration of global Indian migration flows associated with the engagement of distinct labour groups for Britain's far-flung colonies over the Indian Ocean westwards towards Africa and eastwards towards East and Southeast Asia. India essentially provided labourers for plantation capitalism and the production of commodities of Empire (foodstuffs, stimulants, and industrial crops); for industrial, port, and shipping systems; and for public works projects. Workers in the third group constructed railways and roads to connect townships with producing areas, resulting in the transformation of economies. More enduring economic and social links also replaced the Indians' earlier temporary linear journeys, and were facilitated by regular and more reliable steamship services between the colonies. These links also resulted in the formation of distinct Indian diasporic communities in the colonies.