After the abolition of slavery in 1834, former slaves moved away from the plantations and Plantation owners had to then source alternate labour, as once prosperous estates became bankrupt. One of these sources was the ‘Indentured Scheme' using workers from India. This system was set up mainly to provide labour for the overall economic development of the plantations and to also try salvaging the island as a sugar producer. The East Indians arrived in Grenada during the years 1857 to 1885. Grenada, like many of its Caribbean neighbours, received East Indians who were contracted to work on the plantations as indentured servants. It is estimated that approximately 3205 East Indians arrived in Grenada over that 28 year period. They came mainly from the cities of Calcutta and Madras. The journey took about 89 days at sea. It is estimated that 268 males and 68 females boarded the ship and of that number approximately 24% of them died in transit. Upon reaching Grenada, it is believed that the survivors were first taken to Belmont Estate as a holding area and were then distributed to about 15 plantations in St Patrick. Life in Grenada was difficult for the Indians due to the cultural differences, language barrier, and the imbalance in the number of female to male and being a minority group on the island. The East Indians were expected to work nine hours a day for a six day work week. In return, they received free accommodation, weekly food rations and a minimum wage. They were not allowed to wander beyond two miles from the estate to which they were attached, without a pass. If they were found guilty of disobeying this rule, they were liable to arrest and imprisonment. Failing to report to work and misconduct were considered criminal offences, which were punishable by arrest and charged with a fine or imprisonment. Indentureship contracts were initially for one year and later extended to three years. In 1862 five year contracts were granted. The period of indentureship officially ended in 1890, though some Indians continued to work under existing contracts until 1893. In that year a few Indians chose to repatriate to India, but most used their bounty funds that they were entitled to, to purchase lands or to start a savings account in the local banks. It is imperative to note that although one of the original objectives of immigration of indentured labourers failed - salvaging the island as a sugar producer - some of the indentured workers played a fundamental role in converting some estates from sugar to cocoa. As a result of this combined effort, by 1878, cocoa cultivation had surpassed sugar in its importance to the economy. Eventually many Indians assimilated into the society and intermarried with the Africans, Europeans and other island inhabitants. Many adopted the names of the plantation owners, some retained their Indian names and others varied their names in the course of cultural integration. For instance, in Hermitage the Jagoo family changed to Degale and the Mahadai family to Thomas. Other typical names are Japal, Nyack, Ramdhanny, Mahon, Paysadee, Panchoo, Budhlall, Narine, Natoo, Lalsingh, Lalbeharisingh, Seunarayan and Nancoo. Over the last 40 years, there has been a new wave of migration of Indian nationals to Grenada as businesspersons. Most of these recently migrated Indians have had ties or businesses in other Caribbean islands like Trinidad, Barbados, St. Many have made Grenada their permanent adopted home, and have made a significant input into the economy of the island. In addition, they have influenced Indo-Grenadians greater appreciation for the shared Indian culture.
