Mortality and migrant labour in Assam, 1865-1921

Abstract

This paper contributes to the literature on the history of Indian health by investigating the mortality suffered by migrant labour in Assam from 1865 to 1921. Although the primary objective of the paper will be to present systematic and comprehensive estimates of annual death rates and of the ascribed causes of death of this migrant population it will also address wider issues relating to the extent to which this mortality was due to new diseases to which the migrants had no immunity as compared to environmental factors over which planters and health officials had some control. More generally the paper will evaluate the success of administrative measures to reduce this mortality. (EXCERPT)