Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Abstract
Toddy drink is a newly acquired habit to many of the Indian labourers in Malaya. The temptation provided in estates at their very doors is the real reason for this. Many estates have as many toddy shops as there are Divisions on them. Toddy has become a daily routine with the Indian labourers. The affordability and availability of todd y in the estates led to unrestricted consumption of toddy among the estate Indians. Realising the ever-worsening condition of the Indian community was due to excessive toddy intake, various groups began to challenge the toddy habit. They called for the closing of all toddy shops in Malaya. Realising this situation, this study focuses a heated debate between two sides, between those who called for the retaining of toddy shops, and those who advocated the closing down of toddy shops. This study is carried out using primary sources not used by previous researchers.
Keywords
Indian labour, estates, Malaya, colonialism, Thondar-Padai
Divisions
arts
Publication Title
Journal of Indian Culture and Civilization
Volume
1