Suriname Ghat Kolkata Historic Ghat Along the Hooghly River

Suriname Ghat, situated in Kolkata, is an important and historically significant. The Ghat has a significant cultural as well as historical background, especially related to the Indian diaspora and the migration of ‘indentured laborers.’
Suriname Ghat is one of the places where the journey of Suriname Indians can be traced. Tucked inside the ‘South Generating Station’ of the CESC or ‘Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation’ at Garden Reach, Kolkata, played a significant, albeit lesser-known, role in the history of India. The Ghat, situated along the banks of the Hooghly River, was a ‘departure point’ for people from North and Eastern India during their journey to Suriname in South America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. These laborers were mainly from Bengal (including Kolkata). The Ghat serves as a ‘memorial’ to their journey. It also reminds them of their contributions to the development of Suriname.

Attraction

This is the place where Indian laborers were sent to Suriname, guided by colonial rulers. Nowadays, Indians are one of the majority of the population in Surinam. Their descendants or the migrated Indians were not engaged in labor; rather, they moved to other professions even if they held diplomatic positions. Some days ago, at Suriname ghat, a memorial was established to commemorate those Indian laborers. It has now become a nice place to hang out. It is also a great place for morning walks, Jogging, and some basic workouts.
The memorial is an aluminum representation of ‘Baba and Mai’ or ‘Mai Baap’ or ‘father and mother’, which is a depiction of the male and female indentured workers. Workers who had left the Indian coasts to work as laborers in other countries far from their homeland.

History

Suriname Ghat Kolkata has a significant history that reflects the narrative of migration as well as labor during the colonial era. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the British Empire was greatly involved in the practice of indentured labor. It was a system where laborers from various parts of India, including those in the Caribbean as well as South America, worked. This system was introduced due to labor shortages following the abolition of the slavery treaty.
On February 26, 1873, a ship named ‘Lalla Rookh,’ which was carrying 410 (from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), set sail from the ‘Suriname Ghat’ for Suriname. After a three-month-long journey, the ship reached Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, on June 5, 1873, with 399 alive of the original 410 passengers; the rest had died during the voyage.
Suriname Ghat was established as a ‘tribute’ to these laborers and their journeys. The name itself surely signifies the connection between ‘Kolkata’ and ‘Suriname’. The ghat also reflects the historical ties and the undeniable role that the ‘Bengali community’ played in Suriname’s development. On October 7, 2015, the ‘Mai baap’ the aluminium statue was unveiled to pay a tribute to those labourers and their journeys.

Inside/Outside Views

Suriname ghat is a historical place and an abandoned jetty ghat. Local people use this place as a park for early morning walks and evening workouts. The ghat offers a picturesque view of the river Hooghly. This is a major waterway and a lifeline for the locals as it provides a serene backdrop to the bustling city with its wide expanse and rhythmically flowing waters.
‘Mai-Baap’ is a famous memorial for Indentured Labour at Suriname Ghat. This is to remember the people who left their homeland from this ghat. However, almost a century has passed since the last ship departed from the Suriname Ghat. This is a way to recognize its historical significance. The ‘Mai-Baap’ or Mother and Father statue (depicting a man and a woman walking with a Potli or bag), was unveiled as a tribute to the Indian men as well as women who left their homes in search of a better future overseas on October 7, 2015.

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Kolkata’s ‘Garden Reach’ area. Suriname ghat is only 10 km away from the busy area of Kolkata. Kolkata is well connected with other major cities like Siliguri, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Mumbai etc. of the country. And from Kolkata city, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport’ (which is an international one), is almost 24 kilometers away from this area which is in Dum Dum, Kolkata. You can visit this place from outside of India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi, Mumbai, or Lucknow that offer direct flights to Kolkata. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from Suriname ghat is only 12 km away at the ‘Sealdah Station’. This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Kolkata for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.

• Please stay away from total strangers.