Description

In Labourer or Settler? Colonial Natal’s Indian Dilemma 1860-1897, Duncan Du Bois meticulously examines a pivotal chapter in South African history: the arrival of over 50,000 Indian immigrants during the late 19th century.

Initially prompted by the labor demands of fewer than 50 colonial sugar planters, the introduction of Indian laborers was intended to be a temporary solution. However, as Du Bois argues, this “limited experiment” quickly evolved into a complex struggle of “imperial dimensions.” The book explores the shift from indentured labor to permanent settlement, detailing the friction between white settler communities and the burgeoning Indian population.

Key Highlights:

• Political Analysis: Provides a deep dive into the origins and politics behind the arrival of the largest concentration of Indians outside the Indian subcontinent.

• Historical Impact: Chronicles the transformation of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Natal) and the legal and social dilemmas that shaped the community’s first 40 years in South Africa.

• Expert Endorsements: Features insights from renowned historian Goolam Vahed and former politician Tony Leon, who notes the book’s importance as an addition to South African literature.

Whether you are a student of history, a descendant of the 1860 settlers, or a reader interested in colonial labor movements, this book offers an essential perspective on how a labor dispensation became a permanent cornerstone of South African identity.