Exploring Slavery Practices in 19th Century Bengal: Insights from Two Unpublished Human Sale Deeds at the Bangladesh National Museum

Md. Sanaullah; Md. Abdul Muhit; Rudra Prosad Samaddar; Md Jowel Rana

doi:10.53639/ijssr.v6i1.308

Authors

Md. Sanaullah Gazipur Digital University
Md. Abdul Muhit Brindaban Government College, Habiganj, Bangladesh
Rudra Prosad Samaddar Independent Researcher in Archaeology
Md Jowel Rana Bangladesh National Museum

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53639/ijssr.v6i1.308

Keywords:

Self-Slavery, Human Sale Deeds, Bangladesh National Museum, East India Company, Colonial Economic Policies

Abstract

This study explores the historical significance of two unpublished human sale deeds, dated 1214 and 1215 (1807-1808 AD), preserved in the Bangladesh National Museum. Collected in 1980 AD from Mymensingh District of Bangladesh, they provide significant insight into the practice of self-slavery in Bengal during the early 19th century under British colonial rule. Written in Bengali and Sanskrit using the 19th century Proto-Bengali script, these deeds reveal the dire socio-economic conditions that compelled individuals to sell themselves or their family members into servitude in exchange for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and minimal monetary price. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study integrates document analysis, translation, and historical contextualization to interpret the texts and explore their legal, socio-economic, and cultural implications. The findings indicate that the devastating consequences of the Famine of 1770, the exploitative revenue system formed by the Permanent Settlement of 1793, and deep-rooted inequalities within rural society contributed to an environment in 19th century Bengal where survival often necessitated the forfeiture of personal freedom. By situating these findings within the broader context of global discussions on slavery, the research challenges the dominant colonial narratives of progress and highlights the inequality and labor exploitation in contemporary society.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Md. Sanaullah, Gazipur Digital University

Md. Sanaullah is a Lecturer in History in the Department of General Education at Gazipur Digital University, Bangladesh. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Islamic History and Culture and a Master of Arts in the Sociological History of Islam from the University of Dhaka. Prior to his current academic appointment, he served as a Lecturer in Islamic History and Culture at Barguna Government Mohila College, Bangladesh. With over four years of teaching experience, Mr. Sanaullah is dedicated to advancing historical scholarship and pedagogy. His research interests encompass socio-economic history, digital history, social science, and history education, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary and innovative approaches in historical inquiry.

Md. Abdul Muhit, Brindaban Government College, Habiganj, Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Muhit has been working as a Lecturer in the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Brindaban Government College, Habiganj, under the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh, since April 2024. He completed both his graduation and post-graduation in Islamic History and Culture from the University of Dhaka. Prior to his current role, he worked as an Assistant Keeper at the Bangladesh National Museum from 2020 to 2024 and as a Lecturer at Sheikh Burhanuddin Post Graduate College, Dhaka, from 2019 to 2020. His research focuses on Museology, Islamic Numismatics, Epigraphy and Islamic Architecture .

Rudra Prosad Samaddar, Independent Researcher in Archaeology

Dr. Rudra Prosad Samaddar, is an independent researcher in archaeology with over 13 years of experience, specializing in Sanskrit epigraphy, palaeography, and early medieval history. He completed both his graduation and post-graduation in Archaeology at Jahangirnagar University. He achieved a Ph.D. in Sanskrit Epigraphy & Palaeography from Jahangirnagar University (2011-2014) and is currently pursuing his second Ph.D. in India. He has authored several publications in scholarly journals, and his notable book, Samatater Pratnalipimala (in Bangla), is a significant contribution to the study of inscriptions. His research primarily focuses on the history and epigraphy of Bengal, with particular attention to medieval inscriptions and ancient coinage.

Md Jowel Rana, Bangladesh National Museum

Md Jowel Rana, a dedicated museum employee working at Bangladesh National Museum as an Assistant Keeper with an academic background of both graduation and post-graduation degrees in the field of Sanskrit from University of Dhaka. He is very passionate about history and culture of various civilizations and countries and has a deep curiosity and enthusiasm to his work. His commitment to preserve cultural heritage is matched his eagerness to integrate modern technology into museum practices, enhancing the visitor experience. With a focus on both historical knowledge and innovation, he strives to bridge the past with the present, making history accessible and engaging for all.

References

Allen, Richard B. “Exporting the Unfortunate: The European Slave Trade From India, 1500–1800.” Slavery and Abolition 43, no. 3 (July 3, 2022): 533–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144039x.2021.2008719.

Batselé, Filip. “The Legal and Institutional Framework of Slavery.” In Studies in the History of Law and Justice, 13–62, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36855-5_2.

Bose, Sugata. Peasant Labour and Colonial Capital, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1017/chol9780521266949.

Chakraborty, Titas. “Slave Trading and Slave Resistance in the Indian Ocean World: The Case of Early Eighteenth-century Bengal.” Slavery and Abolition 40, no. 4 (May 2, 2019): 706–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144039x.2019.1606525.

Chatterjee, Indrani. Slavery and the Household in Bengal, 1770-1880. University of London (School of Oriental and African Stuidies), 1996. https://books.google.com.bd/books/about/Slavery_and_the_Household_in_Bengal_1770.html?id=t9uD0AEACAAJ&redir_esc=y.

Chatterjee, Indrani, and Richard M. Eaton. Slavery and South Asian History. University of Arizona, 2006. https://experts.arizona.edu/en/publications/slavery-and-south-asian-history.

Chattopadhyay, Amal Kumar. “Slavery in the Bengal Presidency Under East India Company Rule, 1772-1843,” 1963. https://doi.org/10.25501/soas.00033956.

Datta, Rajat. “Agricultural Production, Social Participation and Domination in Late Eighteenth‐century Bengal: Towards an Alternative Explanation.”The Journal of Peasant Studies 17, no. 1 (October 1, 1989): 68–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066158908438413.

Dhar, Hiranmay. “Agricultural Servitude in Bengal Presidency around 1800.” Economic and Political Weekly 8, no. 30 (1973). https://www.jstor.org/stable/4362899.

Ekama, Kate, Lisa Hellman, and Matthias Van Rossum. Slavery and bondage in Asia, 1550–1850. De Gruyter eBooks. De Gruyter, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110777246.

Finn, Margot. “SLAVES OUT OF CONTEXT: DOMESTIC SLAVERY AND THE ANGLO-INDIAN FAMILY,C. 1780–1830.” Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 19 (November 12, 2009): 181–203. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0080440109990090.

Gidwani, Vinay Krishin. “‘Waste’ and the Permanent Settlement in Bengal.” Economic and Political Weekly 27, no. 4 (1992). https://www.jstor.org/stable/4397526.

Irfan, Lubna. “Nature of Slavery and Servitude in Mughal India.” South Asian History and Culture 13, no. 4 (September 2, 2022): 466–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/19472498.2022.2120243.

Iyer, Vibha. “A Tangible Concept of Imperialism: Utsa Patnaik’s Estimates of Colonial Transfers From India.” The Indian Economic Journal 71, no. 1 (January 1, 2023): 229–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/00194662221146647.

Jackson, Peter. “The Mamlūk Institution in Early Muslim India.” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Cambridge University Press, April 1, 1990. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0035869x00108585.

Kalb, Emma. “Slavery in South Asia.” In Springer eBooks, 517–34, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13260-5_29.

Madhwi. “Collective Memory, Identity and the Legacies of Slavery and Indentured.” South Asian Diaspora 16, no. 2 (May 22, 2023): 282–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/19438192.2023.2215042.

Mallik, Senjuti. “The British East India Company and the Great Bengal Famine of 1770: Towards a Corporate Colonial Biopolitics.” Geographical Review 114, no. 4 (March 14, 2024): 464–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/00167428.2024.2325977.

Mann, Michael. “A Permanent Settlement for the Ceded and Conquered Provinces: Revenue Administration in North India, 1801-1833.” The Indian Economic & Social History Review 32, no. 2 (June 1, 1995): 245–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/001946469503200205.

Mukerji, Karuna Moy. “Rents and Forms of Tenancy in Birbhum Since the Permanent Settlement.” The Indian Economic & Social History Review 14, no. 3 (July 1, 1977): 363–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/001946467701400304.

Mukherjee, Rila. “Mobility in the Bay of Bengal World.” Indian Historical Review 36, no. 1 (June 1, 2009): 109–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/037698360903600107.

Ray, Ratna. “Land Transfer and Social Change Under the Permanent Settlement: A Study of Two Localities.” The Indian Economic & Social History Review 11, no. 1 (January 1, 1974): 1–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/001946467401100101.

Singh, Virender. “Study of Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule.” ACADEMICIA an International Multidisciplinary Research Journal 11, no. 8 (January 1, 2021): 1–2. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-7137.2021.01762.6.

Sohanuzzaman, Md. “Cirosthayi Bondobasto Prathar Provab O Protikria: Bibhutibhuson Bondopaddayer Aronyak ( Bangla).” Arts Faculty Journal 13, no. 18 (January 31, 2024): 215–26. https://doi.org/10.62296/kop20241318012.