Hindoestanen
Encyclopedia
The Hindoestanen are an ethnic group of South Asia
n origin in the Netherlands
and Suriname
. After the Dutch government signed a treaty with the United Kingdom on the recruitment of contract workers
, the Hindoestanen began migrating to Suriname in 1873 from what was then British India as indenture
d labourers, many from the modern-day Indian states of Uttar Pradesh
, Bihar
and the surrounding regions. Just before and just after the independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975 many Hindoestanen emigrated to the Netherlands. As of 2007, about 123,000 of the total of 300,000 live in the Netherlands.
word derived from Hindustani
, a Persian
word for someone from Hindustan
(India
). Hence, when Indians migrated to Suriname they were referred to as Hindoestanen, people from Indian origin.
During the heyday of the British Raj
/Empire
, many people from India were sent to other British colonies for work. After the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colony of Suriname, the Dutch were allowed by the British Raj to recruit labourers in certain parts of the North-Indian United Provinces
.
, practiced by the majority (70%) of the people, followed by Islam
and Christianity
. Among the Hindu Hindoestanen about 60% follow traditional Hinduism
that they call Sanatan Dharm to differentiate themselves from the 25% who belong to the reform movement Arya Samaj
, started by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
.
, Bhojpuri. Spoken by ca. 550.000 people from Indian origin in the Caribbean and the Netherlands.
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
n origin in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
. After the Dutch government signed a treaty with the United Kingdom on the recruitment of contract workers
Anglo-Dutch Treaties of 1870-1871
The Anglo-Dutch Treaties of 1871 were three related treaties between Great Britain and the Netherlands, dealing with colonial disputes and other colonial affairs between the two countries.-History:...
, the Hindoestanen began migrating to Suriname in 1873 from what was then British India as indenture
Indenture
An indenture is a legal contract reflecting a debt or purchase obligation, specifically referring to two types of practices: in historical usage, an indentured servant status, and in modern usage, an instrument used for commercial debt or real estate transaction.-Historical usage:An indenture is a...
d labourers, many from the modern-day Indian states of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and the surrounding regions. Just before and just after the independence of Suriname on 25 November 1975 many Hindoestanen emigrated to the Netherlands. As of 2007, about 123,000 of the total of 300,000 live in the Netherlands.
Etymology
Hindoestanen is a DutchDutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
word derived from Hindustani
Hindustani language
Hindi-Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language and the lingua franca of North India and Pakistan. It is also known as Hindustani , and historically, as Hindavi or Rekhta...
, a Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
word for someone from Hindustan
Hindustan
Hindustan or Indostan, literal translation "Land of River Sindhu ", is one of the popular names of South Asia. It can also mean "the land of the Hindus"...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
). Hence, when Indians migrated to Suriname they were referred to as Hindoestanen, people from Indian origin.
During the heyday of the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
/Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, many people from India were sent to other British colonies for work. After the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colony of Suriname, the Dutch were allowed by the British Raj to recruit labourers in certain parts of the North-Indian United Provinces
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was a province of India under the British Raj, which existed from 1902 to 1947; the official name was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces, by which the province had been commonly known, and by which name it was also a province of...
.
Religion
The majority religion among the community is HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, practiced by the majority (70%) of the people, followed by Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Among the Hindu Hindoestanen about 60% follow traditional Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
that they call Sanatan Dharm to differentiate themselves from the 25% who belong to the reform movement Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda on 10 April 1875. He was a sannyasi who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas. Dayananda emphasized the ideals of brahmacharya...
, started by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was an important Hindu religious scholar, reformer, and founder of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. He was the first to give the call for Swarajya – "India for Indians" – in 1876, later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak...
.
Language
Sarnami Hindustani a dialect of HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, Bhojpuri. Spoken by ca. 550.000 people from Indian origin in the Caribbean and the Netherlands.
Notable Hindoestanen in the Netherlands
- Tanja JadnanansingTanja JadnanansingTanja Malti Jadnanansing is a Dutch politician and former television presenter and communication employee. As a member of the Labour Party she has been an MP since June 17, 2010. She focuses on matters of higher education and science policy.Jadnanansing studied law at VU University Amsterdam...
, Labour PartyLabour Party (Netherlands)The Labour Party , is a social-democratic political party in the Netherlands. Since the 2003 Dutch General Election, the PvdA has been the second largest political party in the Netherlands. The PvdA was a coalition member in the fourth Balkenende cabinet following 22 February 2007...
politician - Anil RamdasAnil RamdasAnil Ramdas is a Dutch -Suriname columnist, correspondent, essayist, journalist making TV and radio programs, and presenter. In 1997 he was awarded the E. du Perron-prize for all of his works.-References:*Dutch Wikipedia...
, reporter - Tara Singh VarmaTara Singh VarmaTarapatie Oedayraj Singh Varma is a former Dutch politician and former member of the House of Representatives for the GreenLeft party who gained notoriety after falsely claiming to suffer from an incurable cancer.- Life before politics :Although she was born in British Guyana, she attended...
, GreenLeftGreenLeftGreenLeft is a green political party operating in the Netherlands.GreenLeft was formed on 1 March 1989 as a merger of four left-wing political parties: the Communist Party of the Netherlands, Pacifist Socialist Party, the Political Party of Radicals and the Evangelical People's Party...
politician - Robert Leo Antonius Ameerali, Vice President of Suriname (2010 - 2015)
- Sandeep Ashutosh Oemraw, (1993-..)
- Badrissein Sital, Ex - Military Officer, Politician
- Paul Bhagwandas, Ex-Military Officer, Suspect for December Murder 1982
- Jaggernath Lachmon, Politician, Speaker of the Suriname National Assembly
- Fred Ramdat MisierFred Ramdat MisierLachmipersad Frederik "Fred" Ramdat Misier was the 3rd President of Suriname, serving from 1982 to 1988.-Early life:He was born on 28 October 1926 in Paramaribo, Suriname...
, President of Suriname under military regime (1982 - 1988)