CttAPttR IV

I

ourS.ng U.S last two ctm:adee at tm nlnoteenth c:ent.u.y, ea

pointed out oattllfwt th9 tea induoby had oroenlaed ltaolt tnto en

ell•lndla bOdY ln the t01'm of lftdlan Toa AOtJOCiatlan basad ln Cal•

eutte mJ.th its prou1nclo1 tmancfttle ln ttm tea cJletl'lcto.' Ttlase

bodloa esro in close contact w1 th their ccunte~ort In Loman. Ono

impart-ant feature rll the tao &mswtrv gao that it ID2l8 cJODlnntod

ontt et»nboUed by the talc:ut.ta baoad Eurogean manDQlng ogoncy MWOS• 2

That t.Me CJSGnlnatlan wee malntelnad ~lght up to the ond of ow pel' led

lo cleo11 hom Teble ••'• An anolyelo or tho list or the ccmpoftiea

end tM cultlvattld eraa uncso.., tea undot thelt conttol ehOOJ9 tftat ln

19421 04 par cent or tho to& estates wlth 69 oot cant ot the sc~

t In Aeaam tho ITA had tmD ttrsnctwla represantlng AG!lom Va110V and surma Velloy l'eopectiwly.

2 In '"' cawn managln; ogoncv tsouooat Andraw Vulo and Cc:mpanya Bl~d and Company; Bogg1 OunlQJ» end CGIDJlMVI ShaD Valloce end Caq~enva w&lllemaart, Magar end Caq,enya Ouncan Brothsro; Oo'o­vlns Swel entt Company, r:onttolled 6t pu cent of tho llatod eupi)e tea c:ctnpan1ee. These managing ogoncv tw.wsoa oleo ttad monopolletlc conuol ouo~ other ll'.a~ lNfusutes In Eastern !ndlo, vla.a Jute lndveuv and Coal H1ncae otc:. Vfm o ttataUed otudy oee AeK• Oaachit Wyat9..lrutqi!iffieot in lmU.a (Cambrldgg, 1972J.

TAll.£ 4.t

r1.ma a£ SIUL,HUmuul rmmaaasa I!!WI!laa.~ acuaaa t.nxa llf.l. aa: Tea Eetatoa Uftd_ar tholr-Cc,M~oU(.! U.. ngm Y£!!1UI

125

No. of Aueap Nama or u.o Menagtno AtJJnto tetates &Nrn tea

cult&vauan

'· WU1lamaon1 ~eo= A Canpany 45 J4,21J

2. Jsma tinley a Company Ltct. ,., 29,849

'· eogg, Dunlop a c~,. ,, 22,191» 4. 8olma~t1 LotDrle & CoQpany. ,, 2916St

'· Plants~• Staroo ~ Agonay camsaenv Ltd. " 20,4tJ

6. ""laoct A toq,onv Ltd. 19 t6,199

'· OctaviM Steel & Company. 2J 19,0t0 e. Kilburn A Coqsm\ye ,, ,,,646 9. Reenslll A Compafty• '7 11,MB

10. ShDIIJ lfDllace & Campeny Ltd. t4 "·~ ''· R•G• Sha111 A Company Ltde ,, 9,049

t2. Ancmtu Vulo & C~ftY• 16 7,4,,

''· GillOftdora Arbuttmot & CQIDS)eny. tO '1,674 ,4. DunOtln Broths~e & t~any Ltd. ? 4,191

t9. Oury i Cefl7l)eny. ' ,,42t t&. Tea £otatoo lncJle Ltd. 6 ,,949

''· G&Dl'GS HenSu.ann A Company Ltde ' 2,916

18. .lardln sac&nnw a CGllJilftV• ' ?OJ 19. Wllllole Ltd• ' "' 20. KettlemoU Bullen a C:ampany Ltd. 2 964

2t. Hartin 6 company. 2 oas 22. Oewnpor' & Compeny Ltd. ' 549

2J. G • Loctten A Company ' 406

fOTAL ,.. 240,4S2

Total Nmbel' ot too Estate& lft Asaam uclley ,.,,

Total AC1'eage d'adOI' Tea 1n noaam Valley 269,044

sourco t :ru..e.k~mt.,euwm £ta~ '942.

-·~-unde~ tea an thea Aecem Vall•v wea cnntrollod by tho tunpoon mana.

glng aoancy houase. In 1948 '' eme reported that. ITA to,»reC30fttsd

92 per cwnt or tea euoaQG in ttscsam end 78 ~ cent ln the proutnr:e

or Erangol.' ~t the ell lndte level thbteen loading 8(Jlncv h1Su98o

of Colcut.to controlled ovel' 7& ps~ egnt or tho total tea prodUC,lon

in 19J9.4

1'tle ITA end &to menchen oacamo an lmDO~tent E~an ptosau:o

gtoup dtlc:tt attompted to lnfluenc:a tha Q:Jvel'nmont pollcv efhctlng

tM lnd\mby in putlcule~ end thl p~vlnco of Assam in lJ)nerel.

turopcan plento~o uan the Chlet tladV or non.ortlolols uiW C'QH

asked tJv the aowrnnent tD putlclpats in thO local commlttooa ssa'

up tor purooaee of CleWlCit'lnQ local eammun&eatlans etc. SJmU•lvt

tW 19''• moat ar ttto local bOards vme h9ovUy loacfoct with o•

offlelo and eleeted f.uropsan plantar csmbon. 9 In 1906 a l.eglGletlva

Council was oetobllahed as e taoult or em 1909 eettlemant. ~lch

formed lot Bengal aruJ nesem into • Govet~•e pl'oulnca. Ttts rom

Cmmc11 woa danlmtod by tho &uropoans dU) fol'med practicellV two­

thUd or lte ctGmbD~ottlp. 6 tau:~n the QUOG'lon of &ts cnlaJ~gsmant came

up with th9 Mln~orley RofoNs of 1909t tho ITA, tmcked by tho

Bsngal Cttemb3~ of Ccmmol'c:e1 ouceaadBd ln cn'Oeurt.ng tho Caual"f''llen\

'

6

Pl.ID\!lklflnS.DQU1u catsm!M .Ba;zs;,.\t ,m, P• 2J.

Ae Guha. eJflPAB • ~~t~, feood!il ijtP~~ §J,qs:. SfW?l f&ue.Jft A@;;;oM;i§ii (f!eaJ OGlhietcm~Ptt• S0.1•

-,,, -to Qllocata tw oosle to tm tea lnto~oeto 1ft tm Council.' In

19t2 utan tho Rsoom &.eglaletlue Council was ecnotitutcd tho too

l.ftduauv elono ~a ollocatcct ' out of u elt"tcted neat-a. 8

HoweVft

no reprosentetlcn cutlJB glwn to lat:JrJw in ttts threO councUcte ''­

Assam Leglolatlw Antmblv conatltutad under the llct of 19J9 had

7 tU!Opean and 2 lftdlen plemtlng membttre tof)tGGintlng anlr ''''

wtera. on ttm othot hand tea acwcteft le~ top~esenttno ~.2'19 9

vot&l'l ama given anlV 4 eaate. Ttta twopoen Ol'GVD conttnusd to

damimto th9 provlnalal govornr.:18nt avon eftett tho ·~pule•• mlnl­

euv eae formed, The officlol hleto~&an of ttm toa lndus~v

edmowlGdQed &"Gthe~ uncamtwtebly that in ShUlonot tt\0 EuJOpeaR

OfOUi) counted tor o g-reat <reol end, indaad, found ltsglf' called on

to play en omtmrraeoln;ly prominont part in tha matclng and umakl"'

of Pmvlnctol Gouert'lilQnt, 10

The 90Wl'nt'llant uouallr aOUQtlt the vleme of tl\9 plontera end

thai&' ams=latlona tsfOl'o Sfttt'OGUclng any labaw leglslatian or

ony o~ pttllcy mattu rogerctlfto lotxJw. ro~ examplo tntore pase­

lng tha Toa Olotrlcto t4Digvent &.abaw Act XXII of 19J2, the Govun­

mant of lncfle ssnt eopkla ot the cmafO of th9 8111 to tho ITA t•

U.S axpvosslan of thou vlcws an &te provlGlcns. Thlo maa folloued

by cswtal lntorvJstsG oms rnseun;s bate.een tho plente~e• repre~

7 J!Umpt. 1909t PP• 144-6.

8 Guha, amaglt.. P• 62; J!A RmmtS• '912t P• '•

9 Guhat alaR!.aa• P• 220•

... ~. tetlvoe end govumont offlciola. ConsaQWnt ~n ttteea dlsc:us­

sians tha emendmante HCOJmended uae occaptod in the draft of the

0111.11 HCU~aw. no euch vl811S or dlecunlona usro invited baa

the lQboUl' olde though tho Act affected tham the a::.~at.

In the es81ce or intenna suugglo lCMilehod by ttul tea gul'den

lobourere in 19J9 (marked b, a &ctp ftLfDbiJl' of otrlkss) tfu) Gemtol

Cammltto. ot the 1 TA made vlgoroua np~eatmtetlona to tha gouo11n.

cent to toke action and malnteln 'lew end ordot•.12 ThG rop~:oaon-

tatlans usn tollo"'tt by parsoool moatlnQD flatvmen u. ITA Cl'labman

end tho minletero ot tho Ciavarmont at Aoa•• 1' As e reaul t of

sw:h pressure hom tJto toa ln(fuatrv the Governmont of Aeaem eppotn­

tc:ld o Tao GerdOn &.e~ f.nQUll'V CcmDlttoe. 14

ThO ITA obJac&ed to

tha qlJ)Olntmont of two lobaur repreountetluea, A •K• Chando and

Oabcewu Sal'mat on thlG COMJ1ttae on the grounds that the npreaan­

tatlvas of labour 'wan lntel'prot.tng tho terms of teferenco lald

clOUt by tha govart~D&nt tasclutlon An e monne~ contr•v to the under•

etond1ng or the purpo!lOO end otm• of tftD onqulrv ond in e cJlrectlon

hastlle to tho lftduattty' • 15 Tho Chairman of the ITA, in o lotte ..

dtlted 26th Hoy, 19S9 to the Chlot Sauetuy, Gowrnnant of ~ossn,

'' !!A neapgt. 19'2• P• to. t2 AliMa• t9JO, P• 26.

,, lbid&

t4 Gouerrment ot Aaaamt Goner&! entt Judicial Ot.tputment, JmJ,. oration Branch 01 rUo ~o. I=• tto-GIM-49/47, t9S9t P• t67.

t5 lilt f!gpgJt, 19S9t P• 26.

-,,, . Pl'Ottlsted egalnst ttu» ~lntmsnt of ob:Jvo l'eproacntatlwa ot the

labour on the Ccmnltteo olloglng that tMv lllOta •tttaoms• e;atnat

the instuaby and csn pa~aonally oaaocleted \!4th lebatW di&tur­

blme91• t& The ITA was wUltng to COIIO$mftlte with tho EnQUirY

COliDittee onlv lt lt usn canisd aut by powsone 1accepteblo to ttm

tea lnduoby' telling ~lett it thl'oatenud to wltftdJ.tOliJ lta ouppo•t

ccmplotely. 17 Ttm maeauro at ths tea tntGceata• inflwncs ow•

govel'nmont poltev can bB gau;sd fl'am tho feet tl'lat with th9 ttlth­

dl'ePl of tJw ITA's ropnant.atlua tt\9 abOve Enquby Ccmmltteo

c:eaaod to runcuon. ' 8

II

In this section CJl9 atto.U onoJ.vea tha nature ot poa81P struetule

end outho•ltv eatebl&ef\ml by tte plentara ln tho Aaa£m Uelley ha

gardens. Thlo le lmporton' ln orclel! to umsorotsnd u.o mownlem ot

OJCPloltatlon end cmm:aQUOntly thO omorQOnCB of U\9 peculia~ ccpltel

lobflur roloUDM ln ttte yerdenu. Capitol laboul l'eletloM eare

chel'actarlstlcally dlott.nctlue ln plantatlcn ocunrJDleo and ~" un-

t6 Covormont of nesom, bnlgratlan Branch o, Vile No. ~mm •• ue,. Gl'M 49/41, 19J9t P• tS'I.

t7 Ttce ueogon' ettltudo ot t.tuJ lncSuauv•e ret»naantatlvetl an the Cammlttas tomude tm labaw ropMSGntotlwa and euon to­wardo ttto Chailman, ~ K.c. Ghosh, l.c.s. Co.Y..~~, ot tmt­g-rl!lnt Labour, ass roaentgd by tJ\a lattel' ln hla lettor .\t!k1•• P• 297; UA RpppB&t t9,9t P• 28.

19 In vleG of out1t ctavalq,manu tJ\9 Mtlonellet p•aoa csoaerlp­tlon of the toe plontere aa 0 d8 tecto euloro oV tha p~vlnco" dcfJS not ~ear to tD on oaoggal'etton. See [ewgd, 9 &1ayt 1928, P• 4; 29 Olley• 192e, P• '•

• 139.

llks thnas cftlch e~auelopad 1n mcmern tocto~y ovstems an otho•

pa•te of tndla, though tho matJ'ltwo of caa~lon end OJCPloitatSan

wae OC&Wlly gttova ln both eltuat&cna. ''

Tim mana~ of a tea garden enJoyad euprem eut~l.ty c:lhlch

ho Imposed on the letmur f~co eith tfta aulatence of hle cubo:dJ.

natau. Ocpond1ng upon the obo at trw gardon ono or tQD &uropean

easletsnts wuked tJndOi1 hJm. Outala tl\o factory um main Job of

tho cr.anague ond thtillt eoeletants (notmally twcpaan:.) an to

c:ant&'ol end aups~viao tho labour forc:o on end outelcSo the Vlolde

To ontorc:e tills thoy crtma qsiatcd by hoed BBbl&lr.a• hazlg

f'iWJa!lU, and ~a20 In t.ho abm!nuo of dotal! lnforeotlon ''

le dlfflcult to mJG)loln the oJ~Set funetlans or t.h9 ag!!u.lu and

f!Y!P£P& lt saoma lltcoly thBt t.hav otall)ly tollOc:Bd tho tnauucUon

glvsn by tho manag!lr 01' ocolotant manag~ on tt\9 field &n thsb

dally ~l&Ol'V WO!tc. Thare I.e nDthing to ouogost that they CD9l'O

glvan eny iru!opandent ellage clthn•• Rest of tttnm oppeot8d to tB

ex.toa ;sl'cton lebaurars. T~oforo within tho hletaltchV or authaitr

they did not nom to onJoy a eimUm.t 10lat&onahip wlth latmw vis-a-

'9 In thG cwganlood factcl'y ay9tem the mncttanSem or cas•elcn end GJePloltstJ.on waa geneRally bafJOd a" o hloramv or Snte~mo­d&ottoa. Tho t!lhole pl'ocoaa fl!CD r:octuJ.tment to actual wartclng in tho facto~y, wee conUollod through the conteeetore, the dep~tmental hoods, thG Babua o~ poroonal clutco and OfJab­ttJnt91 the Jobbel'EJt tha hoed ft.1rSPnA and Una li"£da£.t. e.nd $0 en. r~ cseteUs oao Redhalcomcl "'*her Jeo, llla,.Jmt&m J:lf1Dtn9 PQQii (Bcmtsoy, t94i), Che. nr.au, a. sntva Reo, lJln Jnamt: ~i~a~ps &A. (L.ondon, t9Jth n.K. oaa, rspsuy &.ebJ:!!3. !_ __ _llorlln, t927 a n.cc. NatJt:~an, ttsocJ.al Facton .an tho Ro~ultmcnt ov the Oombay lilllhandan in Clive ~Y nnd K.~. Cl\audhUl'it 8d•e bmyg:v f!!lcLSmsty! £aem.)!l..Jor!lf!n tmnpi.A .QM SoQ.M& HAQ,\AA)t Oalhlt 1979 t PP• 27?•98•

20 Aege, mta9Ma• P• ''•

•1J9-

vla thO Gml)lo,u ea odetad &n tta cosa of Jobtxtto, ~. ote.

In U\Et cotton taatUo Sndusuv in 8aaboy.2' \l!lthln thO gee10n tott

ell et!mlnlstratlvo encs eoclol PUl'POSGB U.O manngow mn tho ultimata

authotltv dtleh cuae recognlend and euppOJted ttr the legal maehlnetr

or the state end Uw&r awn a.Ue.lat)Gl practlcu (phveical tettt._t­

aatlon in th9 tom or flogging, &mpd.e0fll1Qnt ln tho gud!tns, c:ona­

tcn' c:mtch ouor llvlno quutat~a). tto also f\ad p~lvate mag&atlwlol

rlfltte• This oss p~Ucululv lmpo~tent arw t908 c:Nn tl\8 panol

ptovlelane usro fllthftean ftelil tho ACt VI oP t90t end t.ha gauu~nmsnt

In OldO~ to PGClfy ttl& plentora, -anted tM IBattagQO MnotUV

maglsble!tl pouate owr theb lebDUt toRe \!llthln tha ~dens· 22

nncs rtnallrt ttte menc~r cmntrollod tte cnaJe oupl!lv or tancs.sturt

otc. eo put of thO loboutte~o• wagaa ~tte psld ln teind (the cubSJ.­

cJlsed taUcfte, etc.).

Oohln::J tha caaortlon or plsntoro' authority ovu tttcb

lotouro~ mas tho aa~tton or lmaNnt lnferloJ.-ity of t.hl lot:~:tw­

lng cleosq aa sw.tunan balftp. Tormo llko "cod&.o9,

9 ptlmltlue"•

used by tho e>lontors to toter to lobaurere. Similar OJIPI'Oaeione

and &dlama •n USSd ln olmnt every gowtnnant rQ;Jovt. Tt10 Aoyol

Careloalon Report cmtt t.ha anf'llal tteDOl'to of tho Controlle~ of gmJ,.

gr:ent Lebour ~tere~~od to tiVJ "erml&ca" ee IU!ltrar or "Soule" &mtsor•

ted end thol~ c:oo' ot ~oc:~ul~nt n 11001' eoul" •• languaQD eamlnls-

:n Rcw~la, sm.slb

22 seo bOlO» p~ '" "'->.

. ,., . cent. oV Amo~lcan oloue OaJnel'e oofore t&GD. TM "ignorance" and

8 Ulouacytt or such labDuHH cs:e teicon ao ptoofo or thou am..

""' tntet•&tv. Tttay GlftO conaJdand c=nsetwtlve by mture,

GU12Plcl.OWJ of ch~ and oaaUv 'gacclteblo'. It oaa clalmod that

tt1e1 Gele not an lntolllgent bOd)' ot' men end~ dlo could appe­

clate ond mateo (J)od uaa o' eny lmpfouumtmte lntrecfuced ft» thaD

tJonettt. On the czmtluv1 ollogsd tr\3 Royal CCXI!Glaaion, tt.y

0 11eaent any chanQO t1tat lc &nt,octuefad, howauol'1 weU•tftttmt.lcnod

end C&'\su toasnttDGnt is quldcly feruad lnto vlolonca.n2' It wa•

Ugvod that such a lotmw: force could not bo tecponalvo to the

ccq,otltlw mmot forCtJo bacouao lt had allttle ar no ambition to

~row ltG standard of llv&nge024 Theeo ettg\£Gftte CI.Bto oleo Uled

by ttm planwa to Justify tho uae of oabs-oconaellc maana r.

lebou.r mtJbJllanUon ln tho eoc~uJ.tlng anas eftd oxtro-100&1 conuol

ov~ thob 1~ ro~ in tho tea ~·

The plentoro• notion of tha lotmu~lng elanooa 1n tholr gensns

eraa moga akin to the attltwo or tho mhlto maatota tct.:ial'da tholl­

bledc eleva labow ln tho antebOll\111 ore in tho Southo•n Stato of

tho USA. Tim plantGrs• ulawa u:ore .-11 ortlculatofJ ln t"& \gndpQ

IJmet durlna 1902 ln e series of ertlcleo arittan ln ctetMC9 of tho

lnteftlste of the toa plante~e ln thsl~ c:onfllct oith ttenrv Cotton.

~ mar tsJcG these as fauly l'epreeentotlva or the formor•e vlc:e.

24 Utlda

-,., -The outhol of thaes e~ticles PGlnted aut Ulat tho Aoa&'l! toe gEm6en

lat»auN11o t.auo bean eectulted ~ • Jun;ly' racaa ctto C3uld not

bO mtlbllkod to~ coq,eUtion. The roasans given tot thle u»n the

"obscure torcee of cwtom end dntlmen\0 ~1ch dcmlnDte thak

lluoa end, tNJ~oto:e, tttay aan "bllMly ~ooted to theb tmmes."

Only awvatlcn cauac!d b1 famlnaa coulcs =ve th0me25 Aofarlng to

tho GcaNJals 8ftd Obua'l9 essoclatad with n=uttment ln the nl,._

tcGmU'I centur~ the eutrwm or too abovo atlcle blemsd, ~t ftom

ttlG private cantraotora, tho ., Jungly0 rectuit• ttam.lrt "Ttw Juftolr

dtoreetG~, ptlmlt&uo bUt ftDt ha:tmat1 and ebavo dleetlno, but el•

Ul8ya out-choatod, lont ltSDlf ~aottlly to furthot thaae e!Msae. _,

tho rtectul~ onlYt but tho t9CIUitt fliO ~londB Ond femUyt ttt9

eanstoblee and patty unrto~l&ngs, tho twedlllon and thD watct~r.~Gn, all

thea& ignoble •ovapa ~e rovelllna in thG Otor of rnw.n26 But

Ofbt c:aCJ.\fto tc tho too QOl'dOMt lt enta eqWdt they USN 1 t:SU.fed1

tU'td lived 4n •c=mrort• end och!Gvod 'pofm8nant pro0$)Qrlty'. lto~D­

ovnr, in oroot to roach such e etete thoy had to go tfUtGUQh ttts

•troubles' of long Journey, occltmatlzatlon, fever, elcknooo, and

homeolt*nusa. 'ftul&9 't!oubleo• usro ~mt consldared SHloua enough

ea ultlmatttly, lt Vl8S ~uad1 the rewuc!o GI91'S to follow at the

29 DJ9 JAmna, AUQUDtt 29t ,902, P• Ge The Choltman of the Aoas '-aboUr Board daac:1-ltsd the recrultmant fol' Acaam tea gUdeno aa o 'Vsnlno telt.er maosuro' ln tho •eauJ.tlnt:t cSlaUlcta•. J.T&, f!Hpp!~t 19t9, P• •• I em gratoM to D~ R"Jld SlddlQl VIM provlded refeean:e to the tMes al'ticlge 1ft Assam tao go:rdana ln l!!a !J.r.l!m&

26 lbJ T.!ga 29 AUf)U»tt 1902t P• 6e

- t42-

In enaau to tm nationallat PMGD propaganda a(Jalnat Uta

livlnQ c:ondltlono in Ul9 plantations, em plente•a ~~rtod that

onee o lebouta• eamo to At186lDt 1\a dld not ~nt to go badct 0Afta~

~&'&val en the garcrans thnn enmwa a (peat end nonulno conuamslon.

The . coollG •auffcre a toa-~1 • Afte~ e little tamo the tc!d­

nepped youth and the abducted .wman wUl have tG m vek!dnappad

8m2 veabductad bnfor:o vou c~n lnduco ttasm to ret.Uin.n27

This moe

of e:nnGO olmplv not bw. float lebau.roto dld not ttaua cmOU\}9'

manoy to go boctc. As HeMy Cotten notodt 0••• thl& 'tee-c:Mngo'

is 0 pula ctolwlcn. tm1gYantsa dO nDt ntum eo thob homso, t'lrot,

bacauae thoy 61'0 unttel' a penal contract to eevus fol' o term ""'i.ch

ardtn~Uy oatond& to fCM' yoel'&t end If thaV c:nta to attempt to

rotwn UJlttt.ln that po~lod Umy mould ba guUtv of cSDautlon end

nntenccd to o torm uf ~tlQol'ouo imp1'io13mont. Thoy ort.on da tty to

ca~o - ttaare ue llftflU'Bllv emny thousand dearn•tlono rocordctl end

not lnflteQUBnUV theaa haploea domJttte~e ~loh mlsol'ablv !n tho

Jun;le or paam tho I'Gmainde&' of t.Mu llwa in oleVOI'V orJCIIQ the

savage hill Ulbaea to dttJn thav tmw unallllnQlv e&ealJad ... 29

ftm plentotG 1 equnaea to P&'G£lGftt a picture of almost ~

fortal)le life of tho labrnae~ sas nn' unconnected wl\h ttel• WlrV

nal PIOblGm of toesruitmont. Oy ttopletlng tha cond&tlon of the

letmutte• oa •ccmrcmta!)ls' end 'soCUN' U.y hopmt to etbac\ lel»w

2'1 tm Xien.,a. 29th Auuuat, 1902, ,,. 6.

20 1172 IW.It 2nd SeptmmtD&tt 1902• P• 6e

as elao to nouteallsa ttatlonallst ~opagancto. lntenatlngty, tM

apologlato of elevetv 1n south Amorleo elm') dOplctsd o etcnootype

plcturo of •happy end c:antantms• bondaa:on oa e term of pJepagando

to count~ tf'l9 ebolltlonlats• image of th9 al'etcf\9d &laws. 29

StmUerly frm ttm apolog&ate of &lade alawty tM ha~oft, CJCPlolto­

tiw oWe or lt CSl~NO almost anttrotv. ThD ~ltg maotQ ts-

C82IG e 1p~ont• ~ ·~dian' ond thO Gleva e child dto, on the

tsula or •common ttunanttv• css outDlttsd to Usa 1fEUV circle'

end aubJoctad to fegUv ;ow2nment.'0 The official hlstol'lan of

tho lndlen tao lnduottr prcoente eJWcUv tM aama plcturea the

labour system in the Assam Ualley toa plenteUans "aaa ae e tulo

nnt tyranny, but patGrnallolte8 Jt BoaototJ tho euthott of' U\G el'tt.

cles In b-'Jm&o• uoach lndlvldual eoolle llvaG hio llfe undo~

tha direct dollv pereonnl 814Wl'v1oAon of on tngllah Sahlb." Tho

1Sohlb' CDDe Uta only om11Qho QJ8S dltectly Jnteroatod an coollo'o

pareonal t:lllfare, end d\o la olCIIDV5 on tho SDOt• The Set\1b wotdtae

29 ror e~te~qtlo, a contarpo~a,, Pttot. fhamao q• Oourt argued that eervltwa had boon o ftiieassary otago of tunen proorooa ond mnc9 could not ba faguded oa ovll in ltao!f. UndDrlvlnQ U\e uaumont mas tho aoowpt&on that blade otaue, rofereoct tt1 as 'No~o'• IJllO undoubtmtlv &nfa•lor to Ute a~tU. AmGrlcan. It tJBs ttwtttor 61'9ued that bled«a f.IBH bottor off In olewttv then they had teen In ftbka • got better foOd, batt. clct"­lfto and aotriO 1kind1 end •valuable' attendance whOn ho gas olctu 0 lt waa no ~~ than that t\9 hod davelapad e tvJp.,y ctlspoaltlcne0 rar dotalla oaa Gearc& "• frodo1'ldcson, ,.Glewrv and Rcco• ftte soutttarn 0Uomme0 In llUon !!olnataln end rrara Otto Gatollt td•t fll'P£ls?D J't&Q!9 Slrumu (London, ,97,) t PP• 22S.J2.

JO Jbldu P• 2)5•

" GrlfflUlet M•FU.e P• '?6.

-, .. -tho condition Ot hle !Qbculfts gJ.tb hla Olift OVOOt ho hetmo thob

complolnta wl~ hb OQft euo, he pep thok Qi3goo to trtam elth "lo

ocn hand. tfo~ Ia hio llfo and cccnty hlo tawa~•"'2 fttlo •aacrt­

flce' en the pel't or tho 'Seblb', lt mas clo1c!atJ1 saved Ute

lebDurore hom tfta "tleeco battle or mU.llons, om1d otorma e~

abase ot vatvlno Gaoaonn° and ~ounh' them 0 into tho conalent

ehmfoa ot pneporlty and peace. Honcot~wa.d ho has notl\lng to

test'• Ko lo protected flom tamlne1 tram flows, flom violonm,

V.CID usury, f'tam all manno~ of oxtot'ftal w. For him end tor hle

11re olcno, ermmg the ~ or lndla, thO rn-oblom ot lite ia soluect. eJJ

rcw tho Chairman ct tha ITA, tM teo gudons e•lotcd "mostly fOl'

tho b!aneflt of tJ\a eadle. SharotU)lctQo haw tmd nothlngJ the

mr1nage~ tolls tor o salerv that ollo118 "am to oovo notttlngt yet the

eoollo =nt1nuad happy tn ttw knowledge that h9 haS exehof'Ged tte

feflll of femlna to. o co:otoln llvlllharxt ond mottast eavlnoa. "J4 Yh8

Gousrmant or lndle eloo dePleted tm •tomUlal' vloa~ of plantoro•

ottltuda towardo thtJir labovretto Cil'lOn at roportcd "thttt thO tolstlona

bat;s&n tho QNat majorrity or plante!'a end thol~ cmol&oa an of e

'' Jbtne S4 Q'!pJ.tpl, 2J!d tltJ9ust, '900• 1'ha cvorsgo eala~y of e mena{JJ~

oF o toe oatete mae bottJDon ~. GOO and lb. 1000 pa~ ecnth plw ' pg~ cent con~i!lsslon an tho nat profito. Comptmed to this the ~e or 0 lobmdOI' W89 bGtSl!Oft !\!:• 9 to mmtim\ID !!!. ,o. If Ute menct)G~• aa Ul38 clo~d. found It difficult to seve tvcm his calGtV then tho talk of aavlngs on tho part of leb:Nrft seemed to tD ~ldleulous.

• t49.

kinfsly nsttne, that the planter ttdcoo o f\Uftan lntol'aat in the vsll•

beJ.nu of tM femlliaa m.anget whom ho llvoo end ldth Qhom he ls ln

almont dally contact, end the coollaa lOOk to tttek omployGr eDith

the 'a;:ntd d\leh le ortJ!nei'Uy tolt bV lrus&cm seewnte tu thelt

~nsstora ... ' 9

Yot eno~ ~ teatu~e or ftmo~lcan elGWJV Ond As~ tea

plontattrms v.110 too tl'Q111GJ1dous gap in tho llulng otenderdo ot tho

wttlto uste~to and the blectc alows. The living etyle or e mana~

1n o too eetate in Aesam .,ao no dltte11ent t'Dom that of the chi:~

olauo omno~t ~Ue ttm letunmere wo~ eontlnad to 0 COOl&o llftoe"

within too aotate. Tho nand to keop them ttwo tii&B to &aw.lnt Oft

the minds of tho leb:lure~ ln too estate$ an ome~SamD, cmnlpotent

imago of tho d\Ue mute~.

t{O hauo •eedy notod tho une of o.Ua.logal mothodo by tho

plantaro to ~tain thou let)oW in bandage. In tho face or mount­

ing put>llc crltlcSGD, ttwse llltlre eau;f\t to be JustlrSed ~icuslv.

Flretlv it cas atQUOd that tho exlatlno penol larJG eo a manna of

molntolnlfto 1ordet1 end •cantantment• om~ ths tao gawoon labourollo

usto d'lollJ inadoQuato. tuan tha esc~ of prlvats e~reat I>Dstorad

by loglolation ln t.ha pawson of tho mensp wso not consicSated

enough. J6 sacont11 v tho 1terdlnesa• end tho • inefflcloncv• of the

police and tho distaneo of' um tJ.!Jt)lsboto ham th3 gedcma lllftG

SS CWtod ln G~S.f,lthn, SQ.tSlkt P• m. J6 ;Qm ~2nd Scptomtu, 1902, P• 6.

• 146-

cited oa reaaans ffa tJto tnarteotlvenou of the oxi&tlng lC!lDO•

Thorotora, it uno orgwd, "An th.1l lftterosts of oU partloa, lt 1G

ebaolutely naceeaav tttot on undlvldsd p~lm:iple or evthoJ~lty ohould

p~~u, and vlelbly l'SPf'DS In tM pe~mm ot the managst•"'' In

order to keap undet caRUol o latmm force, e»hlch va:led ftCP )DO to

1000 in ano oetato, it urao turU\el' argued, tho mans~tt mloldod

e•tra-lopl authOrity ('fan hlo Ollft teaponalbl.llty ldth ttto consent

of tho le!Jow fOl'CGe "'a

Tho nseaoalty to ~lold oxtto.legal eutha~lty oleo eroao out

of th9 tou or violent militancy of tm latmw torco ln the ~ann.

Th!oughout tho history ot tho tea plontatlcne ln Aecam tflalte hnutt

baon o tunbel' or caaoo of mllltent epontomJoua revolto by tha

lebourue egolnst huoh end l.nhuman treatmant meted out to thaD by

ttto plante~e. Such vlolont revolts oometlmee resulted an ttte doeth

of maneoete end ooaictant mana91'ro. ~ Thlo reu of poreonol oatety

woo furt~r aggravatad by the fact that thD plantare ~re vastly

outnuDbaNd by tho labour terce. Ttte ITA expreorsed lto f\1ego 1ft a

mamorendw to tho oousrnmonto afho~a ora an ttta ovorogrt 400 coo11os

to om d'llto mana l~o n\lllbw:S of ttm tea go~dona are iaolotod end

tho plentsre• cont&Pal nata malnlv on ttio prootlge. lnatcncee of

J1 .!J1lt1&

sa ltslfla.

'9 ro~ d9toJ.lo see below thaptett VI• ~otion 1.

- 147-

lmticata that managar'e euthol'itv la none too escUl'o ... "*~ Tho • .;

cwvenca of such ~owlto, daQlJlto the OJl\tCQG COWI'ltv of ttte lew

end the punletwonta meted out to tho tobolo c:onv&nced the plcntare

thG namt to ooteb11oh tho managers• eut.hct~lty ae eanothlng mote

then tt\at of on \~ smploVCJr ond to toko o-o to chock any cfevel()t)•

ment of labour organlsetlon. 4' Tho govetm~ent of ccurao waD a vlll•

lng euppotttcl' of the plant•ree lt gave leglUmacy t.o theb ox,ra­

logal outhorlty. Aony of them wars appolntod hcnorary maglettetae

cuith podi'G to deal with petty cacee lnvolv1ng lobouren, both ~!mJ,.

nal and clv11.42 That the plcntore often flogged thalv labauroro ea

o fofCi\ of prlvct.G punlofWont UI08 esdmltted by ttm CttSof Ccnrnlsalon~

or AasGm• Sir Bampfvtcfe f'uller. 4

' KG raportod the cBSO of e woman

labourer ~ wae stripped anct flogged ln o tea gecson by ttte manager. 46

4D Oeportmant of Qevenuo end Agriculture, tmlgrotlan A P~cnd!nQS Nos. 6-9t Fllo Uo• 90 or t90tt P• 6•

4t It V'JftS argued that "Tho cooll• ~ strikes e plonto atrlkn authority and dcaoruao to tJo pUAlsttad with tt\8 full mauure of eavarlty wlth d1lch thls orfenca haa basn vlel\ed by oVORv low makor &inca tha bogirmlng of history, ems d\leh ls etlll do­manttcd by the clr:cumstancoe or lndlth" BL'W'• 2nd Septetl-bo~, 1902, "· '·

42 !Jli J.!rnRat 2nd SaptGmbol't 1902, P• 6•

4J Ole Bampfydle ruUe~t ~.omo, e9.£Mtml. r.pWHOSBJl (LondOn, 19SO) t ,,. ua.

44 J.Al.Jk H&JnJy Cotton, the Chief tanmlmolonor of Assam, oleo re­po:rtod U. case of o C~GCBan lta~ QJ!to waa flo9ged for tevlno to eecape from tho garden. Another ~ ~ olao f1oggod an eusplclon or helplfto the othi>ee to eecepth Ho oleo came ocrcss e case in ~ch lobouroro woro conrtncd for a numbor of days 1n a npr lsan-house" ln the tea garcton and v.\lN caorcUeool y boatan '4)• Afma or tf\roa ot tho labourers• •tte brokon oa a raeult or the taaaUng. Henry Cotton, Ra•ei& .. P• 266.

Ao late GO tt\9 1920a o Orltlstt t~ade union cteloqate I'Of)Ol'ted that

"ce C)ltneaaed a ~a~ of men• C~Dflmn S1d dalldVsn motrdng ewav to­

gatl'\al't ~lle tlvo verda cmny u;as o plMwo' young aaolotant

proudly hUgging tho ultisle"4' flight or prluate 012eot given to tha

pltlntere (d\lch ramalmd wlth the "lsnta!'G untU the early c.tacades

of tho twentieth centwv) ectad aa majo.- eoootrelnto an tho gt~h

of treao unloft argen1ootions ln tho UUdenc• 46 Simultaneoualy

otmat msthode ot cont~:tl can ac.tq,tGd inclUdltlQ tho ~taaUng of

GStcmen {QbgZJsJ.qra) 1n tha labat11'ellf13s 01' Jeatia ( th9 ceelcren­

tlel qUal' tore ot th9 labaUl'ero) •

fitoro Cttrelel Sn C)l'OWntlng the ~0\llth Of ls~ Organlsatlon

t:i88 tho feet ttut tho plentere effectlvely tte"t tm lebcurO!e Ol1tlY

hem tmv pOoolble canuol and inflwnce hom •outelde'• any form

of ansambly ond mnettngo ln tho labour Jaaplo wore c:melcleted una

lsmful. fho J;b.Q$A!1em ~ro elso lnsUuctod to keep •outeldete•

GflSV ~ the la!mur Jr~ 67 Tho plcntero argund that thab

labour force wao e contantmt ono end that usa letto~•s lgftcwanco

end Ulltatecy ~n 1oR¥Jlolted1 by outeide egltaton. 48 Hmnca too

4' AeAe PU1'C91l Ond J• tbllhaltht 1jgpuLon Lpbpu!t fiflMl!.Jmm in !QdJa (Londoftt 1928) t P• '9•

I& fol' deta!lo eoo mlou. Ch~tsr u1.

41 G~nmant ot nasom, GGml'ol and Juoldal Oopo:rtmont, lml;•o­tlon banctt o, Uoa. J4-6J1 SetJtembl»t 19)91 PP• 4n-9, Qruml Smjm~Q!)t ,9st1 P• J181 R.K. Allch9~js&1 1Jw lm!Jm.HptfiAM QsM Sambay1 196,) t P• 299D Shlva Rm»t 100 Jmlt&3Miel. tie!!JWt An Jndlt;t (L.cndon, t9S1), P• <Jaa Regs, m..su., P• 29.

48 !M&sm AnSPJa9!1v 'M Aae J.,a!mv£ f,!!qu1£x spmm!Sbi• t92t•22, P• '' IJm ,tnaustmrme '' My, 1921, P• toa 8AuUelmfJJm1• P• J78;!TA RQ9R&la• t9J91 P• 2~ end 1940t P• vil&.

- t49.

Juatlflcetlan to pm»hlblt env •outoltter' entering too tea 9"rctena

without the mnnqorG' pt:ltmtmslon. Tho ITA ecnsldal'ed "t.he condi­

tlono on gs1e2ans aa tundemontelly different from thoae ln tndus­

tl'W areas. In most gardena ttta le~ 1e atmplG em pP&mltivoa

end lf unlonD oN otol'tGd they emuld moot p~obably bD ~un by out­

oldate. In ouch casas ••• t.hay otwuld to dlacaureged.049

ThG planters elelmml tho tight or pnventlng outaldsto ff~JD

onwlno the gaRdano ln ttm exercl09 ot thal~ etght to p~luate

prop0rtv. 90 wttllo essorttng ouch o clo!m they ofton csnwa~d tttsb

atrano rectal ,rojUdlcss net only towa~tdtJ tno !.abouroPe but eleo

ag~inst the local peoplo llulng outolc:te tho plnntetton ettca•s. Ttut

plantol'e Ol:lfted uaot areas of lend ln the province ~lch elet) inclUded

the pUblic path ~19• Out the olantero root)rved U\0 rloht to open

ouCh path GBYO for tha use oV tho p~lte. OnG of tho Indian memb9re

ot the Aoaam &.eglaletlvo touncll bl\terly camplolmd "'at meny toa

gercton managore demanded tmlE!l ( Ol21ute) • clostno of .anb!ello CJnd

gat.t&no do~ ttom cycles or horeatmck fttom people paaalng ttu-~b

51 tha Q81'dann.

Tho gaogrephlcol lsoletlon or tt\n p1ontatloft3 tram thO f!ION

ettvancod ol'oes of tho proulnee, tha lobour~s' c~ulolan to teolde

49 l!A f!gam;&t ,9)? t P• , •

50 ROGGt MsRlli..t P• 29.

51 AQG!\ViS&i\aJJ.yg Cpuncll PgesqqUQSRt t92?, Uol. Ulllt No. s, P• t249. Indian a:smm•e also complelMd that tes gatcf~n r:oeds and eaneUmsa awn o Local ~ol'd ttoed llti'IH blcckod by th.O Choulcidfll'B or tho plantora end tf\ov ~ro not eUowect to .,aaa throuGh tJsceuso they wro the 'kale acnt• (Olcck ck.lnnad men).

• ,90.

ln ttm gordena untSOr tha penal conunct oms tmlr total dtapandence

on th9 omplo,aR far elmole emenitlcaa and necoasltleD of llfa cn:o­

uldSd o.pportunlty far tho plcnta~o to eateblleh a ~ettanod , eanttol ouo~ the labaurare. Thai~ offlc&ol hlstorlan eeomo to toke

pride 1n thlm tact end prasonted tho monagct eo 0 cloct ln tho outt\Oit

rlty or tho rultng raco ••• ttm unQUaotlansd king of garden po,ula­

tlcn.n92

Ill

In thl& oectlan ma ettoU attempt to stwv ln eamo gn&test

dotell tho nature of the moctumtom ouolwd by the planto'to t.w th0

purpose of maintaining ccntrol and eJCSRlelng oa~a.lo;al euthDt?lty

ove~ the laboUI'. In eerlw dleptore ao tmuo enalyGGd the Ol'lglna

of indantwe system ln UIJ nlnDteanth eentwv and Uta natwe of

ponol let»ow leuJs. By tho eulv ps~t ot thn p~osant cent.my tha

1ncreealng unpo:Julo~ltv of tho penal clausse of thO labour la~1

uttleh could bscati!O o mojor conotra1nt in roceuitmont proc:aeo, eo •

eultcd ln ~lova ttttmlng amana tha off1clsl c1reloe about the

naed to wlttusrau~ those.· The Chief CcmmlGalo~ rullcr obermuoo

thot tM l'Oot of ov1l lay in the plenme• eight to arsat dtttoul­

"'"' rtant. '' A fmljorltv of tt\a psroano lnt6rvlewod ln the rectult­

tno dlstrlcto by the Asnem &.abow tnquiry Ccmnlttae oV ,906 ble=ad

the penal cleuseo os o causa of ~pulerlty of plontatlon llte

Sf. Cl'iftlthat SP•SI&M P• J76.

' ' rwlol", lm.aS.l!» .,. '20.

• 1St •

GIDOftD tho oroapoctlva cmlgrenb. 94 Tho canmlttea taported that

out or thlet~ altmeoeo ln tho racrulUng dlet~lcto, tusnty.

el.ght55 hold the vlOl!l that t.tw oanal conuect cdth lta ac~an,.

!ng Wlln\ ot fftodam dotornd lebo&~» ham golftg to AGMme f'olloatlng

tha rocouoon.satlona ot tho Ctb:va Cammltteo tho qowmaant p8llsad

the Assam Lebaut and tml.gretl.on (Am9NbGnt) Act an 1909 d\lcta cbo­

ltstmd the panel cleusao of Aet Vl of t98t • 56 Realiolno tha' tttct

panal clousss CtO~ golng to bG et2ollshod tm Plcntere roecrted to

o mn~o eulngent uso of Ret JCUI of 1959 ettlch en:wrod even =~a

affectluo canteol over t.haSr labour torco.

Tha ~Ol'kmfln1G Oreech of ConUact Act (XIII) CDOO CHSued ln

,S$9 et tho inDtance of tho tolcutta Trade Aoam:&Dtlon oM elmllQ

ottwr tnto~oote. Thav mamOl'lalleod ttts gouarftllH!ftt, S9ttln; fot'th

louMJa ouate&ned bv them G111lng to tho wilful b:cachaa of eantrecte

~ dose~tlan of cefvlca bv wo1tcmen and GUvsnte and aetclno tor thG

eppllcatlan ot GtP~V remadles. S? Tf\9 Act GJIIS O&Jt)pler.tsnted bV

esctlona 490 end 492 or tho Indian Panel COda (Act XLY) or 1960e

making the meach or contract of sarvlce b1 the umtcmon (~lng

the vovs«D or JOVJMV end ot the place or u:ork) o almlnal ottanee

54 sae u.s aecClon on rocrultlftg dis\tlots In Jbs Pmssmt&naa..o,t lb .'~Mmham.Jm..Mrml!x CJ!!!l1ttQt ,906.

99 Ccmprlalng t!IO ~rflclel turopocma and aouon Mn-ortlclel •not1voa•, rour miealontntloo, flue crtlctelo end sown e»ereOM cannot:~ c.nlt.h n~ult.lng. ~' '906• .mas;.&.\u P• 21.

96 "•"• oaa, !!1atprx_.af.JM1o~J.osJ.mYsa (Calcutta, 1941), P• 2Je

S7 ll!i«W R •"• Des• flent.atS.mJ.f\bGJ:fLJ'=Am!.lSl (Lelcutta, t9st) t P• J7e

- 152-

ln caeo ttto omploJGt had poltt t~ tale JOUJnev. 59 The Act XIII ar

'1859 =rJ peosod ~ the b8nof&t of omplorno ln gener:ol• but toa

plcntetlona ln Aaos found it most useful. lnltlmlly lte oppllca­

tlon waa raotricted to locellv cngcgad la!IOUM~o. But by ttlo

bsglMinQ of tht» present c:ent~v the t~tqjll'ed letmwue &:mte

ineroaeingly engaged by plentovo Uftda• t~la not. Tho EnQUlvy

tommltteo of 1906 otJ&eruod that thel'e was en lnel'eeolng toMancy

on thtl pa:t of tea plantoro to roooJt ~., Act JC Ill or tOS9 t~ ,._

nawal of cgl'oomnto. ~l't feam the t.tms-aacplrod ltlbDU1'0ro tho

natlll y impol'tod cnes uero oleo engogod lncl'oaalngl v Uftlfar tt\18 Act

a1 CZ!Dat manonore e~no!Cared lt 0 e=olutely necoesety that e mo~e

tlgld form of eonusct ohould be f!otalnod to• fta~> Sl'rlvalo."''

stmultcnsoual y than woo oono~al falling otf ln emlgra,lon unoor

Act u I or t90t • 60 thlo Uend eao olm mtod An tho annual rcpo»te

on Immigrant lebaurere (eoa Table 4.2).

Ao tar es lobDvr QJQ& concetnntt ttlo l!llthdl'owl oV ponal clausao

huo Ret. Ul or t90t did not moan any imp~ovemant &n tttgl~ otabm.

Tho oUict 8£'Pllcotlon of not JC Ill or 19" by thD plentua for nnm

con,rocto contlnuad u. kaep Umm ln ~· tttav wne, ln t6Ct•

aftocted oven mo!e adum1t691V• Evon tho otflclal hlstorlcn o, th1!J

$9 Oe&t ~SbpL\.Qals!lP!,o,a, QFJ.eSU.u P• 26.

S9 BA£.C, t9D6, P• 19.

60 .lbWa- P• ''•

tAU 4.a

Tpte! flWba£ Sf asa !:=0ltuUI!.JA~s.J.D..U£b. D,!at!Aa,\

Ve= Le1ch~ Slbaa~ 0Eml8fl9

1900 51,262 40,109 2,,9J6

t90t 45,202 J9,186 20,2'2 t9D2-0J J9,69t 27,599 19,4" 190).04 J6,036 21,676 tJ,059

t9DW9 J4,090 t7,454 ,9,660 190$.416 Jt,Jt7 16t412 2t,S7t 1906-07 20,UJ tJ,24t 2t,691

1901•08 29,000 t2,247 tB,st7 t90U.09 t916S9 0192S u,G46 1909-10 to,ott 6,207 '·'~ 1910.11 7,9ae 9,4)7 9,42t t9U•t2 9,662 '•''' 4,094

t9t2•tJ 4,2t9 2,610 ,,,96 ,91,.14 ,,,,, a,2ts ,,417 19t4-1S Jt0t9 '•"' '•"' t9tS.t6 t,66J 930 2,109 19t6at7 892 ,,4 1,142 19t7•10 569 2'9 479

1918-19 U4 NU NJ.l

1919-20 ' Nil f\111

-194-

t<Ja irutuatrv hed to concecso tnat "the pcactt.co of plac!nQ troo

le1Joult und!m long torm cantrecte un&to~ Ao\ XlJI or 18S9 had to oome

extant daprlwd tho loboUHJ ot such protoctlon aa cmt otfordad tv Act Ul or 1VOt end had lattgoly mocJltied tho affect or thO w1t.M~aa

of th9 proulclone or ttult Act roletlno to lccel eont.raet end to the

poma~ to e~•oet obacanders."6'

fha planters h:Jwouor clelmod Utat Act Kill or 1GS9 eaa 'popular'

am:mg tile lotmurers. Thle 'popularltr' tll!lo atbltH.t~od to J.nesntluea

llko •tsonvn• or •msuencoe' that mare glvon to the labt1ure~e undor

thla net. 62 Moreover, lt waa cloimsct, the leboutero underatood only

a contract oyotem elnce they hod long bean occuotamed to lt. There­

tore tho nawly arrlwd lebaurero end oleo the tlme-oJCPlrGd labourers

UJtro lnoreaslngly cantracted undctr net XIII or 1859 on long to:m

basis fo-R o pelt led ronglng hem ~& to 9J9 doys without any roatrle­

tlona or ooteguat'de tmpooed umJa~ Act uJ. 6' Yhe E.ncp.tby Ccmmittee

or 1921·22 reperted that ttmre was ccn"ic:nable amoun\ ot cwal •vl•

Cfonca to the effect that thgae-ysa~ epoacnGnte mao not ~

p9tlculorly ln Slbsa;Ja~. The OUldenCG temssred by mane;u• cono­

bO~ated thls, end olea indicated that thG prsc,tce of putting nem

labowote &l'lde• cont~act lmmadlatoly ettett er•lval en the garden 64

!:laB not unusuol. ThQ le!)ower WSDt tharatoze, put tn o QIQ&a

61 Gttltflthat RB3Rl£at P• 28t.

62 RSt£Ct '921•22, P• 89.

6J Jb!.d.a.l lhq, ftQQi:U!lae, 4 Marel\t 190Dt P• 4.

64 R!LtCa 1921•221 P• 86.

I'Qeitkn than he mas unc2e~ Act Ul end nunfortunatolv thl& practice

1\so contlnvod upe\0-dete thougtt more than tmo pOI"a tulw elS~Jsad

slnco too tlmandm()nt llct. XII of 1920e I' lG pua~Ue to SU$JPOS8

thot lerge end CJDalthV ccmpanleo llSte ignDront of tto Change ln

the letl• thoy olm;Jlv elootocJ to &gnota &t.Q69

Aa fell as the ~mt.lon of 'bonus' msa conCH~ lt oeomo that

tho taro a:na locaalv UD9CI ln otflc.lel llt.ottet"to. The c:anccpt of

profit bont.m aa VAl ~retond tOdoy (labour GM&tlnU cuteln pol'tloB

of the profita) nnvor oalstad an tho tea J.ndusuy d&mlng the psl'lott

un::1sr etwv. In f'obrUdVt '-nt, ln th8 cmurso of o dlecueslon olU\

tho tapreaentetlvoa of th9 too lndusUVt Sb Nicholes Baetson Bolle

the Governor or Aeoamt reiaad tm ~otlon of ~the le!)our In

tho paat had owe rocolvmt e banu9 on proflta eor~o9S)Oftd1ng to thO

cammlon1on d\lch wam glwn to managnra and thO etett. fils ensWGr

was ln t.tm mgotlue. 66 Tho 'loyal Catm:Jlasicn elao edcftMlcd(lsd ttm'

no such eptmn wee in fo~ca ln t.h9 nsoam t.oa lntfuattr. 67 In feet

it aaD spoolflcally oolntod out tMt. ~ could not bD lnuottucad

in Raf)(ID loa gudons b9couee the VO~)' ldaa Of it was likely to bo

mlsunaarotood by tts It!~ wttlch could lead to resontmcnt and egt.­

tot&ono 11e~ would 'oll to undOrotanrJ ~V m lmftua ot' a IL'Oduced

tmnw c;ao glven s.n bad voawe:68

69 ,!~s,.., P• ea.

66 ~·· P• ?J.

• 156.

wttat hod men actually paid ~ Sdwnco ott 'i.&m». • momr•69

gluan llltan the loboure~a uan contracted &RtoD not act U or tBS9.

Such Oduancoo mo~e to bD roeownd han tfU!t meaoe of the labr)\lfe~.

It waa clao~ly otat-ecl 1n tfm cant•ect. llduaneeG wre glwn both

ln cosh or tctrwJ10 end QGnOrallV actod es c:twlns of banttag~; lt

mas ve•v cUffleult t~ the lebou:ers to pay lt bsct4 ham tteu

moa;pre oamln;o. 71 "l t mould not be unfair to tutltf' • noted the

f.n~by tommlttoe of' 192t•22t "that thO lndobtod.naas of Uta labcwe•

effacte hle he8dam."72 ''- Royal tG111Dlsalon found that 0 1mf01'8 the

a~lltlon of nct XIU of 1859 on outstanding edvenco r:Jhat0w .. lb

natura, GOD no dOUl:at used eo an GftJ\&!lE!Rt ogolnat thO o~ont. of o

dloeho:gg cortiflcate, and to that catont tm lnflebtedm99 of thea

lobOUIO~ may ts eeld to ha\111 effected hla haLtom.•"

Yho punlsmrent. awact0d to ttto lobourore umiel' tho 1\ot XIII

of 1859 for 0 bloach of contract" and "abscanding0 t COCD:JDted to the

prmal p~ouloions or Aet VI of 19Dt, GEJro •wn more auln;ent. The

69 A;roomsnt money.

70 BtlL§.C• 192t-22, Ac»Psndla Rille P• ,40.

7t Ttm tnqull'y Canoltta t921•22 polntetJ out that thO occnamlc condition of lobouraro mae undoubtodly unastlefeetorv an tr\8 letter ~n in dobt to the gal"dsna an eceount or rice eduancae.

72 Jpld .. P• 74. S&mU~i~r mathode of binding and cantrollng labow force bV the omploJDl'& thfOU9h tho svatam or C:Svonce$ UJBro oleo uead 1n tnu Ceylon teo plcntauana. r~ et.ollo esa UIJ•o samuatDSUa, "~oata.o and servants In !lvl Lankan Plentatlcnaa Letow LOUIS eM LabDVl? tonUol ln on tma~tQont tacport teonanv" • JflfWm ~enplg end !RRJf')l HlghJI fb:uclgm. Vol• XUIU, ~. 2t Aprl1...1unt)t 1931t PP• 12J-S5e

• 157-

tnqul~y Cornmlttoo or 192t•22 recorc.ted e ~U~bett or ca&OG ~o

lata:wrere, bDth mon am~ WOlM9nt ~ro suntencad to eigofoua lcprleon­

ment end he?d labour for potlod ranging flea ' G~~Dka to 'mtsntho

tar retualng to GDJk ttm ontbe perlod of contract. Kuart tM

minora uare not GD&NCS.74 The Committee r&tJO~ted that child .. en ,, had teen enoeted end eant to Jall pandtng trial. Even afte .. Act

x Ill Cl&a amGmted in '9201 tf\9 plranton cantlnuad to UStt lte opptee­

eiuo pttou1oiana. In tm th9 o!Hnm Cammlttoa repo~tod tJ\a centS.•

nuation of placing lobauro~e, ospacJallr tho naco lmmlg:onto, undO~

Ulo;el lonQ•tarm ef!roamonte, UlOQal e~raete of 'abaetlftdal'e• emt

the pleelng ot minore under ccn\rect.76 Such lr1'eguletltl9B oero

appttovad by tho leadJ.no coqumtea. ' 7

Atte~ Cl'ltlcallr amnlnlnQ ttm function~ or Act. JClllor 'BS9

ttm majority or t1to tnQUbV CG:mllU.oa roc~cs lte abolltlon.

Thoy uguad that any attempt to ~eVorm ott modify such en oct eaa

useloos os had bean &huliR by thtl toUure or tho amendment Act XII

ar 1920. fho plantere strenaGUDlf ~PGcad the reccmmandstlcn of

tho COGJlll,too. 70 Tum membore of tha Cccmltlos, ropracsnting the

tea &ndusbrt uel'o ~olnst the ~lthdlellll of the llct on tt\\1 ground

74 u~ Act VI of t90t lt was illegal to placa tslnofo belcm tta age of 16 yearo unttor ecntrcct. fhs ITA dSflnod thO 'minor' thooe mho were tmlou. t2 yasea of aQOe Sso OA~£S• t92t•22t PP• 86-1•

.,, .JJW!e,

16 .ltW!t.

• 159-

19 ttwt SSl)loysos had fU) sacurltv egelnst t.tm 'ebsccmdlno' lobo&IN1'8•

Hotl9uar, preosuro of tho lebo~ protGata "' 1921•22 end hom Uta

Indian mombore tn tma Loglslotlw AQS9mb1V end the neCfm!GftdoUon or

tt'D above to=mltt98 eoq,olled Um Government ot India to npeal tho

Act ln t929e 00

ThO ovstom ot ecsuancoe • holueuor • wstt not eonflnod to th9 Act

XIII lab~a olons. lt. was a patt or an oleboroto med\anlom of

Ulegol reotrictlon and cootclon mttlc1\ fUnctioned at the lowl or

tho routltU lifo of the lotr.naera. on tN2 tsarda oP ~ lnspact.ion

~opo~h (\9hictl tmunawly hsvo awvlvad) 69 have Uled to atudr

too mayo .ln Ulhlch thls mnctu:snlem fUnctlonott.

GenelfeUy the 'advances• CUDro given to the lebOurers Cl1han

thev foU olek ~ t!han they Joined the gardens. 'Advencc&' eo.vuod

two purposoo. Vloot, thoy kopt lebow ellve eo that. thav remalnsd

CS(WblO 09 CJOrk in tho gUdeftB• Saconde thoy put the lebaure~

uMQlt e ctebt obl!9at1on, thereby binding them to tho garcon fa~ o

muctt longer patlod than the eontl'act had otlpul&ted. Cotton tee

pQlttcd that advances WGlfe otton WeQ&lly CSObitad o~a1ft3t labourege

on ecCO\Iftt of svbsletE.mco ellalllanee 9 etc" dlete ee CJell ea an

eacount or ttowa:rds palct fer the or~esta of deSG•toro, and latJoure2o

dH U\W f!bounct hand end fcmt to ttm garden GGI'V1cee0 Bt Often

79 lQJau P• tD.

SO J:.pnltlntlyp Api1J!Bti¥ a~ 20 F&brUCll'Yt 192J Gmt 2 rebru~Vt 1929.

St Cotton, .QQ,-&llu P• 266.

• 159.

anlv o aepe GmDUftt da pald oa saQtaa to tl\0 leb?Juren because

0 ttte mansgore doamed that thuy wore Justified ln etaklng ded~tions

ttlQht end latt so long eo thoy kspt thal~ lobouro•o ln goOd c:oncst-

t&.on like trnll~ hDMDe end thele cottle."82 fh.aas &Qt.»octe dN

cell ~t aut bV tM &nspoctlon fCparta of tho lar:al offlclele

in 1901, t:~aic:tt also eouaolad grow ebussa ln tt\o cunopant or

sumo or tho tea gordena. In Septambae t9Dt, teptaln tole, tho

aeputy CCJ!';mbaleft!~ of oerreng, ro~ortect hls tindlnga to tim CGI'IJ31 ..

otomr or llaaem tlallev efu• an • lnnpsetlon of o ro~ ganmnsa ~Al•

thoUQh tho lebout' t'crc:o appeared on tho cmole !BSll nourished, it Se

cleu that o wrv lerge Pl'OP«Wtion of thml ~ne unnble to oat"n a

living ~JaCPt and that lhov eaulcs lnevltebly aterw lf tho ms~

did not p~ovlde euft!clent tations and snte~ tft9 eoet or tho CBSlUt ea

em ach.ranco 89f.linst tho c:u~llee08' He GUlJPD~ted hie stet&msnt with

tlpoe o' oa~tnlngs of SGDO of' tho lobourore colloctc»d thm tho

gel'dan bookae Theco t&g.aos ~o11.ett that during e pe•tad of 19

manttto (Jenuarv t900 to Juno 190t) ttulse lobl!uto~e could no\ oven

camplot0 the dallv taak (Haaua) antJ ttance cossre unablo to eatn evan

ths elatutarv mtnJmum wogo. Tho ttoault aa en lncHamt 1n thO out.­

staru»ing msvaneee. 81 Captain tolfl aleo com,loinad etmut the ditta­

cultlea ln lnapactlng tho gecton becavoo tho ~Gl)lstwa Cfl91'9 not

OJ Government or lndle, OoDa•tmant or navanva end AQrlcultvro, tmlgl'atlcn, A Pttaceoctln;o, ~. 6, fll9 No. 87, tlovambett, ,90tt P• 941e

80 Jblde

• 160.

p~opeelr malntolnad.89 While onaMelne ttw obtM:> flnd1np or Uta

dlstoict officlo.l ttm C:h.lef COOlmieslonor of Aosem ttGPCDtcd to tM

Gowrnnen' of lncJl0 that thO "lotmuroro en ttopolesoly lnuoluod

~01 tho garden msuancas, ond altho~••• tho c=ltaa ~-to

tJa feblr astll nourlct\3dt their corw.tltlon can only b3 doSCI'itmd

ea diSOtlefaetorv 1n tha eatnmo, end tn no approolotdo dagroe

dlstlngulehable tram oorultudoen°6

Tho SlbsSQQ dlaulct CJ.ull Sul'gaan, CC&)toln Asho~t Le,onton

1nepacted LatatHntl toe eotets end repo~ted that o vnv ecnall ~

tmr of labourol"s reealwd a full mssnth1e •tutabln ea;e. In othe~

aJOl'dO the majarlty CDuld not eoM a full GDQ8• The tt2sult ~ a

l~e nwnbar of outetend&no 1odvan:oe1 agal.nat the labDUron. The

me~ of Ute eotata otttibuted t.hlo to t.hD •tezlnasa' of tho

labaurete cho U~Gl'O GGttlng onouf)h fOOd to llUA end aen thar:ofotto

aatlsflede 87 TFta lnopocttno offlclelt tto:ssver, dld not fool ootls­

fled mlth thl& 8Jil)lanstlona hQ roma~:tcsd, na do net think \he class

of eoollao en the gudsn , lear tYPfJ••• lt lo tmpoeaiblo to bellavs

that tho ~lo lebour force io so lm:r ~t only e taw ana mWlng

to man o full ~m~nth'o haaul."89 In Tablo 4•' _, muo rtlf)rcducsd

&9 !bl~ P• 946e

06 1~19•• P• 959.

87 Gouornmant af lndlo1 a~01'tmsnt cr Aouanua end ngrlculture, tmlf}ratlan, A PraceecUnge • Woo. 6-St r Uo ~. 90 of 190, o P• t45•

TABLI 4.J

Total Outstanding Ouoo AgolnDt thO Act t..at»o~o of Lottlbt!~i fee £atato1 51bo~ oiSt~tlctt •vo•W'-

Fton t~omon

~ A a 2.t. .a. e. e. At Use end or Jenuatv 1900 ,69 14 0 S2? 11 6

At ths and o9 Fsbluafy 1900 . Unable tG eacotteln corrootly. Ac' ~1 Plan-Ael Le~tou~o•o ts!ng mlwde

At ttva end or ~ch 1900 J9S 6 , 959 s 9

0 a Ap~.U tcmo '" 14 9 4BO 2 ' a Q ~, 19!)0 ~' 9 6 49t ' 6

a a J&ll8 twn J09 4 ' 49D a ' 0 0 Jul, 1900 200 9 ' 499 9 ' n Q Auguet 1900 26J 0 6 SOJ 12 , fJ 0 soptemmtt •ooo 2t9 4 ' ,,. " 0

0 e oecomoo• 190D 262 ' ' ". '' 9

" Ct ~, 1901 268 4 9 6J2 " 6

fJ • robruuy 1901 sco ' 9 6Gt ,, 6

On thD bOola or lho atevo tlgweo Captain Louonton ~emutted

thot ~en lebnule~e csre unable to eun oven tho coat cf thai~ main-

lbJd1 we do n:~t tcnam tho nwtsr of lobouro#o ~elnet d\an tmo theso dwD• But. alnco thoGG V&guroo ~ofet- to em tea gsrdon eru1 Ae' Lc~ alom ee can aa&UDO ttto run~ to to eamoo~Uno between 200 to 2$0 (oa ncmnaUy ttta toW labout forca ln on auaregs size gBrdaR ~ GDPIOX~ately SOD).

- t62-

ly Jncroaeing aonth by month is o e&IGJ)lclous cir~ate~nee. It

wuld not mottol' GO much if thoy ~aiuad Q60d mma oftat' deduCt­

ing tholr ~1c9 amounts. ftm fl\11119 they CJ"t at thO end of t.he oonth

oro vattv small lndeed.u90

TmGS Ul paid letmware nsturall v Qat fwttmtt lftdobtod ln

eesae of aict<n:oas. 'fne manaoav of LstobEml toe osteta clolmad

that olctc lebowo~e wo?o proviclGd eubslstenco ln tm form of •atck•

dlot • t ~ationo otc. ttm lnopocting off1clel umUo l'OMtng 'hb

cloJm &tepol1to:St 0 1 felt cqellod to wetusa to acCOJ)t t.ha etate­

moftt that •aldt recolva dlot•, eacceDt in tha eaao or lndoot pstle-

ntoa • evan thorJG eaeoa ere ~n to dm.lbt, r~ in U\9 hulr& booko

may t1o found ft\l!l!!ttoua cape Clh3l'e poople wtto t\aue bGSn olctc fot a

gaad pa~t or tho month, tnt evtm ttte full month, ttaw tho cost or the

~t.co they ftow ctmrged against th!A... I ttaua ttacod o go:Jd N~Db:ltt

ot camae d\o h3uo usn (eldc) ma1ked a fo.:J e many times &n the

mnnttt, end find thay owe much moro et tha end of the month U\tm at.

tho t»g1nntng1 that lo1 lf thoy got tAco they •ro ehatgsd r~ it.

fha caeoe of thDC3 el\o did mt t!JOP oft account or olct<naaa aftd al\o

dld not Qat dOCJpel' lnto debt ere w~v tem.09' J.t. ntwttmott the

Deputy &G~~Dlselonnr of SlbsBOOl't d\Uo deecrlblng ttm condltlcna or

tho lstourogo ln thO atmus gm.tdan u "legaUaod olevorVU ~ncfGC.t

ouong actlon to txJ taken agawt ttl3 emplOYft8• 92 tta omphsDlat!d

90 wa.. M Let tor ~om Ceptoln AahOr &.swntcm1 t lvil swggon1 datod aGth

Aptll, 1901, to too oeputy tcmmloalom1', Sltn~au~. Jn .lb!stu P• 146.

- 16J-

that t.hJ eages wero 'scandalously lOCJ'a fttamfott la hsdly c~

tlt»le with o etuvatlan ~-. end th!J condlUcn of tho lcbowore,

d\Seh lo prectlaally that of o1oue8, can hardly m ootlefylng,

o~t to tho omnore, alto naturally ln their awn ifttoroet SUDPlY

them olttt tooct ettUe ~essuelly ~n=oeatng tho cJobt egalnst them, in

Oldott t.Mt t.ho ported ot bondOUG mey ts lntormlftable.n9J Thuo a

system of fen-ced JMctl)todnesa by malnteinina the caaoa bolow the

sub&latence louol, 0189 lm9oa8d upon lebmJI bV tho plentol'o &n or®•

to bind them to ttto ;erdona ftn en tMOtlnlte po•lod•

Tho lnsPacUcm Re;3ort on enoth~r gadan ln SlbaaQu dlotl'lct,

the Noggra Tea tatate, rouealod o alrdlq otete of effeboe In o

covo~lng note, the COSIDiselcnar of naenm tlalloy ctlsblcte emoto a

•we may eav that you haua read mJ.th Of&ve dleploasun tha ocaJUftt

of Uta ma~ 1ft d\lch tte lab!lure»e ln thl.o oatete have t.aen

tteotede It BDJ)Dere that the provlolon s. U2 of the Asmwn LabDut

emt tmlgretlon Act, ttmt n1qu&rea t.hat subslstenno oUOdnca a

eictc dlet &hall bo given to o1ek lOboUNfll, tmue tmen l~od by

U\9 monarPDSnt antt t.hot s~ tmve bnen 111oG'lllY dabt.od against

tho coollos on thlo sccount, as Cl~Jll aa on account of rewards paid

tcm tM enoet ar lebau1-He."94 He otblbutod tho .,,..,. I'Gto of

mortality on tm gardan to 1 lnofflclent • wa(J90 paid tg thO lrabDU­

~""•99

9) AblA•

94 Govarnmant of Assam, AOWIWOt Be Proeaedlngo floe S26/9)St August, 190'• P• 4.

• t64.

follomlng the IQCCJ!mGndetlons of dlstttot otf&olale tt.

Chlclf CCIII!l)immlono~, ttonry cotton, banRmt tt\0 eq,lo,ment at Act

latmue in tho lnapectsd gardena. Hawver 1 ho eoe rotu<ed fa

thla by bla esntoro end on ItA's ropreaontot1oR1 J.J. Ucadraff1

Um Advocate o~al of ean;o11 gava hlo verdict agalnot totten

end the ctctav r~oo ewpsnded. 96

tho mm:tumlsm of control and pate

potuol tmnda;e through tho optom of 1eduancas• contlnued• Tha

plonten u:ere awMJo to tm ldaa or a fltse lebow system. ror

decadee not only uw Govermant of Aeaam1 but tho Enqu.&~v CCXtmlttne

cppoln\QO flam 'lme tr» tlmo had hinted at. tho nnad ror tho o'boll­

tlon of oll 'conUol• and tho intrOduction of on GnUeoly flea

letow eyatGm. 97

As aorly oa ln t88t tho t'lsekeftllG tormiaolan

tted eduocatoo Utt3 fno emigration. 98 fha tnqUlty Car=ltteo of t906

otmarved that plentmre in Uppar Asfltn had pflH:tleelly ftt\V01' at~

ted to watk a avotfwl of tteu lcbmlr. Tho plantero ctspondod on tf\9

ovstem of indentuJO by \ihlch tool~ tmld ovor naw lebauroro wne

sromla"" GJMe securo. 99

ldhsn tha panal clewoa of Act Ul of ,90t ~o olthcmoUA in

1900 plentera ~guad that Act JU 11 ( Ulhleh 0S8 otlll ln fcmoo)

elona could not effol'CI the mc:osGtWv cantrol ovm- &hau la=ur

96 Govornmsn\ of lndlae ospa»tment or Revenua and Qgd.cultu..e, tm!orotlon, n Pt-acoed1nQ3 • Noa. 6-01 F'lle Noe 90 of tOOt, PP• t22•J6•

97 !lSL£S• '92,•22, P• "'·

98 B.flLlli t906t P• ,4,.

99 l~a~ P• ''•

force. tr,o LnQU1ry ~ommlttoe of 1906 hadt tlo~Hmr, ot9uad that

batter trGatmant of lebaur by the planters otld thD eua1leb1lltv

of enOVi;h ""sto land tD eu\tle tM lmlqrants 013uld t2a Gvfficlon\

t.o ka~ thn labour forco unct91" •ccnuol' • fha plcntere cUd no'

eoreo. fho 'haitttllatl of the ITA retorted, n••• The moJorlty of

~rted lamur la nDt t~ thirfty ~ett1al'1 but of a tVPQ natural•

ly Sndolont, ~o r:dll mnfk 1:11ith a lltt.lo Judicious handling, bUt

f'Yom «11om 61)mO stlrt of oacurlty et}a1n9t onCicsment Md au'a1cto

.Lnfluonce ls necoss3y to oefoguard t.tla employu reom 1om of hls

100 h0~uv •ecruit1no oXP~ncss." lt Gam f~thmr er~uad thnt Ao'

Kill ~ ovplled to tha provtnem by eucutiuo ower OAd could

10'1 ooa1ly be c:~lthd1'8lllft• ttencs ttte moo for more offootluo logle-

latlon. Thlo iseua was bolng debate:J by wrlouQ brenetwo of Uta

lndim teo Aasm:lotion bath 1n Indio and !tnglantJ. f'o11ow1ng the

unanimous d~Aolon reec.~ed by all At.s bt'enc:hvs tho nn epprochod

tho gowrnr.-.ont for lnt.rmJuolftQ ft9Q log1slaUon &;JS1nat •antlce­

mont' of labnu1' in tne tea na~sna t.n Aaoam.102 In a C10tl~Urial to

mt.')fZIOt1al cemanded o leglDlatlan o.ualnat 'ont.leamsnt' ao that

importers of lmlOur could be oaRlguarded Vor o coftaln ~rlcde 10'

tOD !J.A AprsA• t909t P• 49•

tOt !A19&

102 ~Ua• P• '0'•

ublt:aingly t.na .. aaam ~lslatlw touncil ft'Qr.led the lieoam Lobrnm

tnticsmont BUl cmlch ~ pratl".ptly epprovad by tha ~ent of

lndie. 104 HOGaueY • the !3ecroter v or ~tote fo~ Indio retuom:J to

sonctlan t.Jm 0111 an UtCi gl'Ound that lt lnucluac 1pr1ne4lloo'

which c:.ulct not b9 accepted. 105 in ulem of thS ouono anti•

clovory public oonttment.s 1n Bt-ltoln, t't!B :iacrota1'y ot state cso-106 murrode

fhO plantoro now pr«:satlnd to UJOtk out. t.natr 01!1\ lnta1'nal

ayetsm Ulhich offectlwly curbao lat>nui" mobUAtv caitt)ln tho tea

dlstricte. No mcno~JOl" would taeM1'0lly employ a lotxnmar fttlll

enotnsr garc:ron wlttuNt t.hD porm1so1on of the proulouo omplovar.

in 19W en ooroemmnt. k~ ae ttta Brat\mf)S.Jutro end surma uaU.av

t..acal ~QCtultmont ngreement "as elfJf'lld f.YilD~ t.tw plantora dlldt

prchlbltod ons mzmi3Qel' hom dcllt»retelv 'entlclng' or recruiting

lebuurora fl'om anotl'lnr gerdsn. 107 'lo make tha agroemElnt. oftoctlw

u. ~Uao st!pvleted thnt lf en ostato er~lovect an asa1cta:s St.lmlgrant

hem at~Dthar eototo tho Vormst- has to pay B t.renator tree of ~. ?5

far the first yaer, ~. SO tar tha esctmd nnd ~ 2S for tho third

to tho oatat9 f~am whlch ha had mavad.108

105 Ja!S&

106 Unrtar auch e lew t.tuJ lebaui' tNula havo baen t'WUCcd to the status of oleverv olnco hlrlng or onv lab!:lw tram otnor garden by eny emplcvor uculd be lUegel.

- ,67-

bo passstJ m&tci.ng 1t lmpoaaiblo for ottl~ tncn 1fthab1ttJnto of Ae9CJD

~ hold govm~nmsnt lend unleao quallfiac bV e ~mldonce oV ot least

four years ln tf\o province, oKCODt ln the coso of en epplicent

C'iho hea praceected t~ Assaro from hiD h:Jne ot.hortdse then at the

EUISJeftl!ltl oV eamn teo ~ctan• • 109 The momorenttt:n VurtNir GmPhDsistUS

the neod to preuont tfla DOBa1bUlty of imJtal'tad le\laurero bolng

tompte<t t.·, leave ttw Qal'den (unloQS ha ~ worked at least Va:

ftJUZ~ yeuo) to t~o up goval'nmant lend. UO Hts c!)juct1uo bQhlfUS

thlo d~and, once a~in, t:~aa to CUPb labour li".Obility, but too uorv

ucU!l".ptton that no~Dlv ~!'t.ed labtluro:oa could ~o '41 lend for

oftlclolo in tna province amlmed to be uttan1mow on ono thing

vu., thot imported latt:Jurors tlltn"o rarely in o poaition to teko

up land on thai.r own account unUl the Clq)ii:Y or four vans•

se~vico 1n e Qtn'den• Ut Tna r:oply of tho l-hlaf ~..cmntcalom~ to

ttw mmncmla11ete thtlt'of'ore el"guad t~\ lt was dlfflcult tor taa

garden leboure!'a to settle on qovsrnmsnt land tmmediatelv after

their arrival. Ttlnu:;h thoro waa olent.y ot wasto lend aucllnble

1n tho ~esam ueUovt mcst of it tiS& unrmr haauv Jungle, end mnen

token u.p ylelded no Cl'op until tho second yuar at tho QBrliaet.

110 ~ovorrutli)nt of Aotwm, .~epart.rr.nnt. of ;tovonua, tqn. )1'3-26, r11o ~o. 5•190.~, uaeamber, 1912, P• ''•

• 169-

sufV!olen~ rcaourcea to surv1vo fo~ e yoar or twQ ~lthout gstting

at full ratoa from tm ttay t\9 tcJo$1 tho ltJnd ounr. ~o tea garmsn

laboUJG~ could ~atiefv theoe ~1tiens unaided, and ha hod to go

on earning r4a{Ps unt.U. his sovl.ftus reec~ GUfficlently hJ.tf\

fiQureo to poy for hlo uptcaep during tho earl~ period. rurthU•

1n lncaot Aasa"71 (rtesp.U.e en e1.'Jundanco of eaato llmd) dld Mt

off(W any ront free period at reduced l'eteo of muenuG to tho

in~ing cottlers.'12 Similar obaorvatlonn woro mado oatllat by

tho £ntlViry '-cm»J.ttl<lo of 1906. 11

'

ruaagofl9 Gild Kamr"l) wero unenimouely ~alnat lmuoo1ng rcetrltltiono

on thu l.lnaa GUlJ90stmt 1n ttts ITA'e ~rial. una of the Clain

&-oea~ fer this was that such a ccnn'ce of action ~uld haua t£oon

egntredlctory to tho t~adltlonal pcllcv of colonization in AscDm~ 14

Tho ~sputv l:mmtloelonar of ~lbsaoo-r polntsd out that ~ate land

11' 11 Th9 'ipm:lel Voatura cf tho AaSS!!I Volley 1& tho lergs e»ttont of culturable waote which ie avo&loble fo~ sottl~ent. Thls att!"ncta tima-3aplrod lsbauroro to leew the uarctons, bUt tho fact that a rovenua fi'GG term is m~t ollowoo and thet Ml rotoe ere emr')att for laftd nowlv taken up, oporatas a:3 e po~~tful chock on tho oxOdus tl'om thS eatato." M..&.M\.t 1906, "• 10.

114 I.Jovernrnent of Assam, l1ctJertrn9nt of ttouarnm, ~. ,,S.26t ruo ~~:o. s.te~. ;)oecrr'oo~, '912t Pfl• J6-7.

- 169-

onnuld oo et~tt.lod witn Amrnlgranta t~ttlch mould bacamo a permanont

eourco of labour aupplv for t.tt, tao 1n:Jue~y aa umll 09 for tho

provlnca as a dtole. us Sileondlv 1t ~POO ettguncJ with goad ctaal of

Juot1Vicatlon, that tha rostrlctions daolred wculd cau~s greet

inconvonlonc:G end trcwlo to o lal}go nt.BDbGr or em-lio~ 6\lttlel's.

ihlraly, !t was polntod thot tho rGotrlctlonn ~111 lead to amp.

loyoro taking up moro tlW&to land on spsciol or ordinary tar-ass, for

thea malntGruJnce of' too1r labavl' force. This mso not fevwred f'or

tho follooing roaoo~D

( U The eotabllafWlftt of Rt could prectleollv b9 large

Z0.1l!ftdariat 116

(2) ~onaldarcblo loss of reuanue to ths ~overnmantJ

\J) rrtction mJ.th tho lndBQGn®a r=l'Ulotlonl and

( 4) i.nfore~ otov of labOurs!' a Oft the toa Qel'dons ofter

the exPiry of 4 vosrs of employmant.1' 7

so the ~ovarnmont of Aso~ dld not eoroe to tha plento~e•

wcvld tia allO>:ed to takfJ up GovsJnmont loRd if thS manog11r put co

a ooq,lalnt and ln orw:r to dit=Otaoga SUd\ 1eb0Ul'e2:0 t:a:n eaotd.ng

gowrmcnt : lomJ 'pattas• isewcs to t.l'lSm vmuld bo f~ ems ,ocr ln

tt6 P\oet of Asoam 111813 a ~yotweri 6ot.Ucmont province. Therefore tho lacol officlsls 1110~e not inclined toU~aWCIG thO grouat.h of zemlrusar io of asnga1 typa.

U? '-DUal'r&ont of 1\aaom, .Jspartr.tent. of nownue, c~ca. 519-161 r11o No• ~196-Rt Deesmbart 19t2, P• 19•

Thia pelley offo~ o etrltdng eonatrnnt to the policy vie­

a-vis the £unpoan planters ~ usre qt.van uaot atoan of lend

ot VtWV nmtnal p~icm and mlntmun posolble l'9VCI\W on long

toreo. ' 19 Tebl£) 4.4 ehoi!JQ that thro~ut the pe~lcd of au:

third of tho totel oceupled bJ thB pl~ntara 1n tha d1otrlct9 of

Leichlmour and Sibsogar ond oven lor:m than one•thlrd in oarrnng.

s&nca cru:2st of thle land \:ISS qrentad to tho planters ot ~eciol

te~o it meant e ~oat deal of loae of rouenuo to tho gouornment.

And at tho eemo timo this poliey of orantln; excaaaiva h#ldl.nge

at e•eemoly choe;» rotes had e na;stivo impact en a;rlculture

outeldo ths plentotlane.'20

crultmont adopted by tm planters. As t:e hnuo shewn, the pt'cc:aos

of fot:l'uitmant of lat»ov.r fof! Asaam lialloy tea I'}Ell'deft9 cantinuad

r1ght up to tha end of our perlad• Ne hovo aloo GhOt!Pl that d~lng

tho nlnstcanth cantu~ thsro ~ro o lorg~ numbar of camplslnta of

tho use of force and froudulont practices 1n labour racrultmont.

The ,W.d,g.l, ovstem of rcaultrnont undor thO ccmpleto monopoly of

thG Tea Dlatrlct Latlaur aupplv ~osoclot!on wu lntrodllcad ttJltn

the ootonslblo purpoaao o, rsrnoulno ttts GbuaDth It cortolnly

110 JJttg.. P• ao. 119 ror detella sea Chaptoro I and 111.

120 Keya Dab, IB&SA&•• Guha, SQeC.bt.t.

I

tfJ!\'O~~lscn of Total Ar-oa tWtcr Plantation and 1\.l"ea Umset' Toe Cultlvatlcn (~era-tlan aroaJ ln tnreo uis&iE6

Lekhimpu~ Slboogo.: Oet:reng

Total area ~otlo- ~of Totel eras Octcroticnal ~ ot 1' otel el"CO flpttt"otional %Of

Year of plsnta- nal Cl.'ea col. of plenta- uoa eel. of plants- eroa col. tt.ons 2tot tiona 5tD4 tions 8to? (Acres) (AcreD) (Acros) (Acres) (1\cren (Acroo) , 2 ' 4 9 6 7 8 9

1900 tS9166i 67,5D9 S6 2J71 1S4 ?8.422 '' ,,,,640 41,100 S1

t9U5 218.529 7t,t22 '' 2)J1 SOO ?7,9S7 '' - "· "· -1910 20),4tB 72,415 ~ 246,1"16 e:s,oos ~ tS6,969 4J,156 J2

1914• 240,681 '19,040 '' 2?9,956 90,'12"1 » 1St,6S9 4S,BtS )1)

t920 29t,916 9t,)16 '' ,,6,7t4 99,245 St 2U1 62S 56,610 21

192~ )22,342 9&,650 JO J24,94B 98,220 sn 222,,~ S}7,79' 26

19SO ~).214 10'·'" 29 J4,,140 99,458 29 250,065 62ott2 2:;

19)~ )6'·'" 109,519 3D J59.,44D CJ02,006 29 2,9,667 6te:St4 26

1940 ~1,119 1101 281 Jt :561,4"12 t04,91t 29 2JJ,494 60,426 26

1945 m,tea n2,?tt ~ ~14SS 104,152 29 2,6,955 6t,s~ 26

1941 ,77.062 U2•tltl4 JO ~).764 10St2U 29 2)6.105 61,284 26

~ourca • l) Al)l'lHi'Jl P~!ml, f~_. 1900, ,9DS1 1910• 1914 and 19.20;

11) ~upplet~~.ont to the Ing~ao Tgf39SL~5nal. 1925;

ill) !OP!M 1'M,.,$t.pU§t.is~ 19SO• 19», 1940• 1945 o.nd 1947. 9 flguro~ for t9t5 not avatlOble.

• t72.

holpad to emoothen ttto tlow ot lebam' oupply eo \lidl as 1n nduc­

lng tho cost of rooruitmnnt. Whila lt mill be an oJWgga~totlon

to nuQDSst that tho ontbo labotm ass raoruited and bfougt\t to

Assam by Vo~tco Ol' ft:andulGnt Cli)Bf18t ttmro doss oltlat enough eva­

dOnee to ehOID thmt tho rec~ulting a;enelos still conUtumd to

res1S:t 'o avch CDGthode. At the bsglnnlng of tJia t~ntloth csnt.wv

rtencv Cotton had ropol'tod that 1n many lnstaru:ss tta rec~ulma

wore rooortlno to criminal moans, inducing tholr vlctlme by o.ls­

rq,reoenteUon ott by thraets. We pointed cut that U\9 t0Cardo of

the cttim1nal COU!tO USN fUll Of C8DQ8 OP htuafultmt Ot=iUOtloftS Ot

mtmrlad =nen and vouno perODna, Ulogol canflnemant, lnt&mldetlon

end oct.ual violence • 0 o tale ot cr 1mo end outraga dllch u=uld

ereu!HJ e stoftl of public lndignstion in any clviliGCd aun~v•"'2'

Tho latmur f..nqulry CortmlttGa or 1906 a:as emtJDttecd to 0t1mlt that

ttthoro io unfo~tunato roaann to oolwva that Gwn up to tho presant

day emlottants hauta bam unt up to tea prcmnn elttmr by fern a:

heud•••" '22 Lvan ea loto as 1926 a. ftontgcmerloe KorDa sccrote•v

to tho Govornmen' or Bombay ~lo!Md to ttta Gouernntmt of Aaam

that o runbsr of 1 We~ot.e• latmurere hom ceuo~el dioutctc ln

hlo Prootdancy had b30n ctmSDJ.ed by egonto ot thO Aooam toa plants-

'21 totton, ••Mla• PP• 262•'1 Dm ,AilliJ!NS 2A\!J:tsa and tha @t?ma&.fte l=sntad thG •eull end lnPamoun trafflc In man end women• rocrultod by fraud end feleetto=• f'ott tho Aoeem tao gardcno. JlmJ&&aJ!Q&ll ~~ 20 July, 1900, P• SJ Jb& §answw. 2 ret~ruav. t900, P• 4.

- 17J.

p.ospects ••• n 12' ttm11o~ the Govormante of Blh&tt end O~ieaa

had lodged alm11Em ocmplalnte. 124

r~cm the sbauo enalyale ,, appecrs thot the telcutta based

Cll3ft09ln9 agencieD had 4Ccp~lred a monopollstlc conbal ~ tho

too lftWauy. too Jnc.llen Tea Acocclatlon, tha c:wganloetlan

rapreeant&ng the ctamlnnnt eoctt.an of tho tao inttuaUv ln lndlet

end its &lator aascctattona hod become tho moot ~~rut presouro

lobby ln tho province ot Aeacm. Their influence eva• proulnclal

ectmlnlsbat1ve pollciao in gane~el orus trmse con:Ol'nlno tott

lndunbr pal't.lcular rzas ~v olgnltlcant. Tneu oasr ecceso to

Ute hlgheat levels of thn twreavcrecv end thou ttold owr 1ogia-

1at1vo instltutlans mm:Sa thom an oepeclally prlv&legoc Q1'0'4J in

tho prou.lnco.

Within the tea eetatos tho planto-ro ovolued a powor-euueturca

in chich the raanspr exorolse" o teind of autocratic authority.

Wl&bin the hlverohy ot thlc pataOr etructuro lebaur &rae at the

lomost lauel. Tho lntermedta~v perscnnol conalotml o' no1etant

meftilgerG, m!Sm;rlg. cle~lcol eteff (babya) end ~Gftl& Tt\aoe

lntermadwloo eossntlally aasie~ ln tho mointcnanco of h1a

eutocttot1c ouuct..ao. Tho Smpoalt!on of such on euthottlty 1n o

,2J GOW1'tlm0nt of Aeoo:nt rtnenclal Oepstmant, lrnmJ.gratlon Bl'ench 8t fioa. 1B?•2tO, March, 1926, P• ''•

124 Covornmant oV Aosem1 rtnanc1e1 oep~tmant1 lm&llQt'eUon Branch e, 1\:oe. 246-18, septe~bal't 192!J, P• 10. Fo~ e csotoUed enalvale of tho l'ocruttmont ayotem fo~ tea pbntatJ.ans, mtnlng end Jute lrufustrlea coo RenJlt Osngvpta, ttsteuctwe of ttt.

Lebault Muket ln COlonlal lndle0 • keDPSIR end 2911\IM' tlJt.ltSk• Vol. XVlt Speclol fUWt 198tt PP• 1181•1101•

• 114-

capitalist enterprise ~loylng wauo labour was Juotifled an

tho ~ that tho lmmlorante e~as:tclng 1ft too gmtdana •tte

1lgnorant•, 'U~rato• • 1prlm1Uw'• bound by 'ab!lcura torc0s

of custamn' hones unre~pnnolva to ocmpototius matkot-fareos.

Oacause or tttoos traits thGy ~e aseUy 'oxcltable0 and could

turn violent. Such • Jungly reeeo' could only UMotatend tho

lenQUaoe chich mas not eppl&cablo to 1alvillsed' paeplo. Hsnco

the naed tat- legal end extte•logal cmana of keeping lebDUr 8n

lte plm:e • 1dlsclpllnmJ1 1 POGrt !ealetoct end URDrgonlsed.