Aapravasi Ghat - The Ancient Immigration Gateway to Mauritius

Aapravasi Ghat - The old Immigration Gateway to Mauritius.

Mahe de la Bourdonnais (The French Govenor who inroduced Indian Labour (Our Ancestor) to Mauritius)

Before the establishment of a Government Depot, several sites were rented from private individuals for sheltering arriving labourers. In February 1844, Mr. Charon let his store for that purpose and in the same month, the premises of Mrs. Rondeaux de Courcy in New Moka street were used as the Protector of Immigrants' Office and for the 'reception' of indentured labourers.

In 1849, with the arrival of a still higher number of indentured workers, Mr. T. Hugon, the Protector of Immigrants, asked for a larger and permanent site. Records show that, by the end of April 1849, a new depot was in service and this included a new office. In 1853, further buildings were added. In 1864, the Protector reported that "the depot, in consequence of its having traversed by the railway, has to be almost thoroughly rebuilt".

The plan of the depot of 1865 thus indicates that new sheds were built. In 1867, during a severe Malaria outbreak, these sheds were converted into a sick ward as Civil Hospital was already crowded with patients. In 1868, the main building of the depot was damaged by a cyclone and had to be repaired.

The Staff of the Immigration Depot consisted of a number of guards, peons and clerks. The protector and his deputy were at the head of the depot and as from 1860, a medical officer was appointed to examine new arrivals, provide vaccinations and report deaths. A magistrate was also employed to oversee the recruitment process and the contracts of engagement. In 1869, a photographer was in service to take passport size photos of immigrants and vagrants to be affixed to their tickets or passes. Policemen were frequently called upon to establish law and order at the depot.

Through a long term restoration and renovation programme, the authorities are converting Aapravasi Ghat, which has been reduced to only 1,705 square metres because of economic and infrastructural developments, into a historical site to bear witness to the thousands of indentured immigrants who landed in Mauritius. In 1985, the 'Coolie Ghat' as it was formerly known, was listed amongst the National Monuments of the island, In 1987, it was renamed 'Aapravasi Ghat', meaning the landing place of immigrants. In 1996, the preservation and restoration projects were initiated with the assistance of the Indian Government to establish the site as a 'lieu de memoire'. At present, an archaelogical investigation is being carried out to study the surviving structural dimensions and functional pecularities of the site.