Calcutta Letters Book

Author: Sandew Hira & Tanya S,

Pages: 512

Language: Dutch

The Calcutta Letters are a unique book for the history of Hindustani people in Suriname, which has not yet been fully explored. This book consists of letters between Hindustani families in Suriname, their relatives in India, and Hindustani communities within Suriname itself. The term “Calcutta Letters” refers to the connection with Calcutta, as communication between Suriname and India at the time ran through this city. The letters include requests from family members searching for their relatives who had been brought to Suriname. There are also requests via the Agent-General in Suriname and the Emigration Agent in Calcutta, requesting assistance in finding people or arranging other matters.

What makes this book so special is that it exposes the emotions of people whose voices have never been heard before. It highlights an aspect of migration history that is often not written about: the emotional dimension of the relationship between those who leave and those who stay behind.