South Asian Slavery in Colonial America: A Forgotten Legacy

The South Asian presence in the United States is often depicted as a relatively recent phenomenon, linked to the software boom of the 1980s. Popular media frequently portrays South Asians in technological roles, reinforcing a narrow stereotype. However, this narrative obscures a far more complex and deep-rooted history. South Asians have been part of the American story for over two centuries, arriving long before the advent of modern technology. 

In the 18th century, the British Empire's reach extended far beyond the thirteen American colonies, encompassing vast territories, including India. When British settlers ventured to the New World, they often brought South Asians along, not as guests, but as indentured laborers and slaves. 

The seeds of modern America were planted on May 13, 1607, when British colonists established Jamestown in Virginia. This first permanent English settlement became the "rightful birthing ground of America," its soil soaked with the blood of Native Americans, European settlers, and African slaves. To this mix, we must add people from the Indian subcontinent. Compelling evidence suggests South Asians were present in Virginia as far back as 375 years ago. They were identified in American court documents as "East Indians," "East India Indians," or "Asiatic Indians." 

As these South Asians blended into the population, they were variously labeled "Mullato," "Negro," and "colored," gradually losing their distinct racial identity with each passing generation. Historical research reveals that South Asians were transported as indentured servants or slaves by Dutch, French, and English trading vessels. They were also brought by East India Company officials who had amassed fortunes in India. These officials returned to England and subsequently brought their servants to the American colonies as symbols of their wealth and status. 

A significant early mention of South Asians in America comes from Captain George Menefie, who in 1624 used "Tony, an East Indian," as a headright to claim land in Jamestown. This system granted land to those who imported laborers, facilitating the arrival of South Asians. Many arrived already Christianized and fluent in English, having been brought to the colonies via England. Others were captured and sold as slaves directly. Social historian Thomas Brown notes that by the 18th century, South Asians in the Chesapeake region stood out from sub-Saharan slaves due to their distinct culture and appearance. 

Runaway slave advertisements further evidence the early presence of South Asians in America. Virginia Gazette of August 4, 1768, describes a young “East Indian” man as “a well-made fellow, about 5 feet 4 inches high” with “a thin visage, a very sly look, and a remarkable set of fine white teeth.” Another is identified as “an East India negro man” fluent in French and English. 

On July 13, 1776, the Virginia Gazette reported the escape of a “Servant Man named John Newton, about 20 Years of Age, 5 feet 5 or 6 Inches high, slender made, an Asiatic Indian by Birth.” Newton had been in Virginia for about twelve months but claimed to have spent ten years in England in the service of Sir Charles Whitworth. He was described as having “long black Hair, which inclines to curl, tied behind, and pinned up at the Sides,” with a “very sour Look” and “remarkably forward” projecting lips. He escaped from his master on the road from Williamsburg, between King William Courthouse and Todd’s Bridge, left behind to come slowly with a tired horse. 

Slave owner William Brown's advertisement notes: “He is a good Barber and Hair-Dresser, and it is probable he may endeavor to follow those Occupations as a free Man. Whoever takes up the said Servant, and secures him in Gaol, giving me information thereof, so that I may get him again, shall have eight dollars Reward; and if delivered to me at Westwood, in Prince William, further reasonable Charges, paid by William Brown.” In a follow-up advertisement on July 19, Brown increased the reward to ten dollars and added that Newton “shaves and dresses well, but is much addicted to liquor.” 

This information comes from a digital collection of advertisements for runaway slaves and servants in 18th-century Virginia newspapers. Many more references to "East Indians" can be found in Virginia's "The Geography of Slavery" project. 

South Asian Americans today occupy an ambiguous space in the racial dynamics of the United States. They are often seen as a “model minority,” celebrated for high median incomes and political representation. Yet, they also face racism and discrimination, reflecting the enduring complexities of their racial identity. This duality mirrors historical patterns, where South Asians navigated a society that both exploited and occasionally emancipated them based on their perceived racial identity. 

Just around the time of Thomas Greenwich Mary Dove, a woman in the neighborhood of Maryland argued in court that her children should be freed from slavery because her grandmother, Malaga Moll, a “yellow” woman with “long black hair”, was of East Indian descent. This claim, rooted in the racial complexities of the time, allowed Dove to change her family's legacy from one of bondage to one of liberty. 

Considering the context of the late 18th century, Dove's story highlights the intricate and complex realities of South Asian racial identity in early America. By asserting her East Indian heritage, she sought to escape the severe discrimination and brutal treatment associated with Blackness. 

The Dove case shows that some masters tried to treat South Asian servants and their descendants as slaves. However, the court's decision indicated that colonial Americans generally believed South Asians were free by birth, and their descendants, if they came from a South Asian woman, were also free. 

However, South Asians still hold arbitrary and complex positions in American society when it comes to racism and otherness. History shows that they have always been victims of racial discrimination. Being labeled as "model minorities" does not protect them from its effects. This myth only makes South Asians “weapons in the war against black America” as Vijay Prashad says in his book “The Karma of Brown Folk." 

There is a significant streak of anti-Black sentiment within some South Asian American communities, rooted in historical casteism, colonialism, and colorism. The apprehension is predominant in South Asians that if they openly align with other marginalized communities and reject the “model minority” stereotype imposed by the dominant culture, they risk losing the advantageous yet precarious status. This fear underscores a pervasive concern that challenging the status quo of white supremacy could lead to increased systemic oppression and marginalization.