With the establishment of British East India Company rule, the Bengal Presidency was formed, which covered present-day Bangladesh, the Indian states of West Bengal, some parts of Orissa, and Bihar. However, the area of Bengal as an administrative entity has been changed during the colonial and postcolonial eras. It was located on the gateway of the Bay of Bengal, which facilitated maritime connectivity and the mobility of peoples, goods, and ideas across the world. However, the identities of diverse migrants from different parts of South Asia were generally categorized as “Indian” in the colonial records. Such generalizations often hide the identity of specific migrating groups from South Asia, particularly the Bengalis. The rich literature on Bengali migration relates to sending laborers, remittance, and policy issues from economic and sociological perspectives. However, the Bengali migration worldwide, mainly in the UK, the USA, North America, and Australia, has a long pedigree. This chapter attempts to compile the Bengali migration globally during the modern era. It will thus focus on several interrelated issues. First, it will deal with the umbrella term “Indians.” Secondly, it will illustrate the history of Bengali migration outside Bengal. This chapter will provide a clear picture of the connectivity between Bengal and other parts of the world and the Bengali historical migration using archival and non-archival sources. Thus, it will significantly contribute to the growing field of mobility studies and connected histories in the Global South.

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Bengali Migration Outside Bengal During the Modern Era

  • Gazi Mizanur Rahman

摘要

With the establishment of British East India Company rule, the Bengal Presidency was formed, which covered present-day Bangladesh, the Indian states of West Bengal, some parts of Orissa, and Bihar. However, the area of Bengal as an administrative entity has been changed during the colonial and postcolonial eras. It was located on the gateway of the Bay of Bengal, which facilitated maritime connectivity and the mobility of peoples, goods, and ideas across the world. However, the identities of diverse migrants from different parts of South Asia were generally categorized as “Indian” in the colonial records. Such generalizations often hide the identity of specific migrating groups from South Asia, particularly the Bengalis. The rich literature on Bengali migration relates to sending laborers, remittance, and policy issues from economic and sociological perspectives. However, the Bengali migration worldwide, mainly in the UK, the USA, North America, and Australia, has a long pedigree. This chapter attempts to compile the Bengali migration globally during the modern era. It will thus focus on several interrelated issues. First, it will deal with the umbrella term “Indians.” Secondly, it will illustrate the history of Bengali migration outside Bengal. This chapter will provide a clear picture of the connectivity between Bengal and other parts of the world and the Bengali historical migration using archival and non-archival sources. Thus, it will significantly contribute to the growing field of mobility studies and connected histories in the Global South.