Global Bihar: How Biharis spread all over the world

While in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday as part of his five-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his counterpart, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as “Bihar ki Beti” (daughter of Bihar), highlighting her ancestral roots in Bihar's Buxar. “Kamla ji’s ancestors lived in Buxar, Bihar. She herself has visited there. People proudly call her Bihar ki Beti,” PM Modi said while addressing the Indian community in the capital Port of Spain. “Many people here have roots in Bihar,” he added, applauding the strong cultural connection between the two nations. Modi was also welcomed with Chautaal, a form of Bhojpuri folk music.

How did Biharis spread all over the world where they still preserve their native culture? It all began more than a century ago when Indians, especially those from the Bhojpur region, which includes parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand where Bhojpuri language is spoken, were taken by Europeans to colonies in Africa and the Caribbean, often through coercion and deception.

The global journey of the Girmityas

The story of the Girmityas, indentured Indian labourers, represents one of the most significant, yet underexplored, movements of people in colonial history. Between the early 19th century and the early 20th century, over 1.5 million Indians were transported to British, French and Dutch colonies under a system of indentured labour. These individuals, mostly from the Bhojpur region, were sent to work on plantations in far-off lands -- Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Suriname and parts of Africa. The term Girmitiya originates from the word 'agreement', which was mispronounced as "girmit" by the workers, referring to the contracts they signed. The Girmityas were largely poor peasants, agricultural labourers and artisans, who were lured into or coerced into signing indenture contracts.

The British introduced the indenture system after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833. Plantation colonies, especially in the Caribbean and Africa, faced acute labour shortages. To fill this gap, colonial authorities and private contractors began recruiting Indians through a legally structured but actually dubious system. Recruitment agents were paid to find labourers, often resorting to deception, false promises, and manipulation. Some individuals were kidnapped; others were told they would earn good wages in “Girmitiya desh” (land of agreement) and would return in five years with wealth. The contracts typically promised five years of labour; very low monthly wages; free housing, food, and medical care; and return passage to India after the contract term. However, the reality was often a harsh betrayal of these promises.

The struggle and resilience of Girmitiyas

The journey from India to the colonies was gruelling and dangerous. Ships were overcrowded, and disease outbreaks were common. Mortality rates were high during the voyages, which lasted several weeks or even months. Once in the colonies, Girmityas were assigned to sugarcane, cocoa, rubber and tea plantations. Life on the plantations was brutally hard. Workers toiled for long hours a day in punishing heat, often under the supervision of hostile overseers. Corporal punishment, wage withholding, inadequate food and denial of medical care were common. The working conditions resembled those of slavery, and while indenture was a legal arrangement, in practice it was highly exploitative.

After the end of their indenture period, Girmityas were given a choice: return to India at their own cost or settle in the colony with a small piece of land or monetary compensation. Many could not afford the return journey or chose to stay, having built new lives and families. Despite systemic discrimination from colonial governments and entrenched racial hierarchies, the Girmitya communities displayed remarkable resilience. They preserved their languages (particularly Bhojpuri), religious traditions, music and festivals. Over generations, they adapted to their new environments while maintaining a strong cultural connection to their Indian roots.

Gradually, they transitioned from plantation labourers to small farmers, traders, teachers and professionals. Access to education, community solidarity and political activism allowed them to carve a place in their adopted countries.

In the 21st century, the descendants of Girmityas hold prominent positions in society. Leaders like Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, are proud descendants of indentured labourers. Their achievements symbolize the long journey of the Girmitya community from bonded labour to political leadership.

The Bhojpuri language and culture remain vibrant in these diasporas. Festivals like Phagwa (Holi), Diwali, Ramleela and Indian Arrival Day are major events in countries like Mauritius, Fiji and Trinidad & Tobago. The Girmitya legacy has enriched the multicultural identities of these nations. At the same time, Girmitya descendants continue to navigate issues of identity and belonging. Movements for greater recognition, apologies for colonial injustices, and the preservation of Girmitya heritage have gained momentum.

The Girmitya experience is a profound chapter in global history, a tale of colonial exploitation, human resilience and cultural survival. Their forced migration under the British indenture system was a continuation of imperial injustice following the abolition of slavery. Yet, through suffering, they laid the foundations for vibrant Indo-Caribbean, Indo-African and Indo-Pacific communities.