SIKHS WORLWIDE
The British Empire changed the lives of many Sikhs
now located around the world.
The British Empire caused many Punjabis to
serve in British colonies and dominions around the world during the First
and Second World Wars. They
served as soldiers in the British Army, colonial police forces or other
disciplined services. Sikhs were preferred for these duties largely
due to their tall build, strength and loyalty. Many Sikhs continued to
settle in those former colonies after the war and integrated successfully
into different communities.
Sikhs are known to be warm and friendly to
people of all creeds & races.
Distinctive Punjabis wear their turban with
pride, and look upon it as a mark of their glorious tradition and are known
for its heritage of courage and chivalry stretching back over three centuries.
With the large population of Sikhs located in countries around the world,
they are truly world citizens. Sikhs normally adopt simple yet colorful
lifestyles. Punjabis steer clear of the money grabbing and materially obsessed
lifestyles which many people are suffocating themselves with these days,
therefore, most Sikhs can enjoy life like others did in the good old days.
Most of them respectable, dignified and extended
family ties.
Sikhs are famous for being traditional yet
progressive. Sikh professionals can be found in different countries working
as doctors, lawyers, engineers, sportsmen, farmers, administrators, bankers,
businessmen etc. Traditionally Sikhs are service orientated, kind, hardworking,
least corruptible, reliable, progressive and trustworthy.
HISTORY OF INDIANS IN FIJI
The history of Indians in Fiji can be traced
back to the Fiji
Deed of Cession 1874.
Unlike other colonies Fiji's cessation to
Britain was voluntary and Britain accepted on
the condition that Fiji governed itself and
financed itself. This caused the Governor
Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon 1875-1882 to devise ways to make money to
finance Fiji. The only viable income was from sugar plantations, but to
avoid upsetting the locals, the British did not require them to work at
the sugar plantations.
The British authorities had to consider the
alternative of imported workers to Fiji.
In 1876 the British Colonial Office arranged
for Indian immigration to Fiji and the first Indian landed in 1879.
The Steamer
Leonidas arrived in Fiji in 1879 with
about 460 Indian immigrants on board.
People of Indian descent have since setted
in Fiji for the past 123 years
and in year 2000 they constitute close to
350,000 people.
FIJI PUNJABIS
Most Punjabis arrived in Fiji during early
1900's.
In Fiji however, the earliest Indians were
brought over to the Fiji islands in 1879 not by English people.
They were brought to the Fiji Islands by the British Raj in India under
5
year term agreements, but when they arrived in Fiji they were forced
to work labouriously for the Europeans.
1900-
1930 Sikhs from Punjab came to Fiji Islands.
The Punjabis have established themselves
irreversibly, firmly and successfully in Fiji.
The colorful and and distinctive culture of
the Punjabis have indeed contributed to the variety and attractiveness
of Fiji.
There are Gurdawaras located in different
parts of Fiji. All are welcome.
The Lautoka Gurdwara was founded in 1933 by
Sikhs originating mostly from Jullundur
and Hoshiarpur.
Amarjeet's Story - January 2004:
My father was from Hoshiarpur and 16 at that
time.
My father-in-law was born on the ship in the
sea near Sri lanka and it took
about 3 month from Calcutta India to Fiji.
The Sikhs worked very hard.
They owned land in Fiji with hard earned money,
plus back home in Punjab I remember when my dad used to send money to his
family. I still have the receipt as a proof that my parents went
back to our pind after 55 years.
Sikhs in Fiji founded the Khalsa Primary Scbool
and Khalsa College.
Sikhs are today in the Fiji parliament and
own big businesses.
The main Sikh temples in Fiji are: - Tagi
tagi Sikh Temple, Suva Samabula Sikh Temple, Lautoka Sikh Temple , Labasa
Sikh Temple.
Above is the photo of Tagi Tagi Temple.
LINKS:
SadaPunjab
- Excellently written & orgainsed. VVery informatiive - Jaswinder Bajwa
FIJIGIRMIT
- THE MOST INFORMATIVE
WEBSITE
FOR FIJI HISTORY - http://www.fijigirmit.org/
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