Indentured labourers who migrated to distant colonies in the nineteenth century came from specific regions of India facing particular hardships. Identify these regions and explain the economic conditions that made migration appear to be a viable option for them.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 14:59 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Most Indian indentured workers came from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, central India, and the dry districts of Tamil Nadu.
In the mid-nineteenth century, these regions underwent severe economic hardships:
- Cottage industries declined, reducing income for artisans and weavers.
- Land rents rose sharply, making it difficult for peasants to sustain themselves.
- Lands were cleared for mines and plantations, displacing farming communities.
As a result, the poor failed to pay rents, became deeply indebted, and were forced to migrate in search of work. Migration to distant colonies thus appeared to be the only viable escape from poverty.
Source: Chapter 3, Section 2.4 – Indentured Labour Migration from India
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Explanation
- The examiner expects you to name the specific regions (1 mark) and explain at least two or three economic hardships (2 marks).
- Avoid vague answers like "they were poor" — be specific: declining cottage industries, rising rents, land clearance.
- The phrase "forced to migrate" links cause to effect, which examiners reward.
- Keep the answer structured — either bullet points or short paragraphs both work for a 3-mark question.