ItemBook Chapter

The Water Unites and the Land Divides: Exploring Chinese Maritime Migration and the Birth of Kolkata Chinatown

Title
The Water Unites and the Land Divides: Exploring Chinese Maritime Migration and the Birth of Kolkata Chinatown
Creator
Yu, Raymond Pao Lung; Sarkar, Sreemoyee
Description
The water unites, and the land divides is a common expression in the Indo-Pacific, illustrating the archipelagic characters of the mainlands and islands across the flanking Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It facilitates maritime liaisons between people across civilisation. Though the Indian and Pacific oceans have historically brought China and India together regarding spice trade and cultural diffusion, it was not until the Age of Discoveries that the eternal ambition to control the Indo-Pacific oceanic wilderness materialised. First, the Portuguese, then the Dutch and French and finally, the British, who prospered insurmountably into a maritime colonial network where the sun never sets. British imperialism, a force that shaped the worlds political events and social fabric, facilitated a global movement of Chinese migrants who settled in different British colonial coastal cities in search of greener pastures. Kolkata, erstwhile Calcutta, flourished as a colonial hub with its White Town and Black Town and a vibrant Chinatown in between. The present research investigates Chinese maritime migration to Calcutta and their resilience and adaptability to create a niche for themselves. It also analyses the significant role of British imperialism in determining Chinatowns demographic composition and cultural identity, leading to a profound realisation of the historical influences on migration patterns. 2024 selection and editorial matter, Dr. Sreedevi Santhosh, Dr. Samjaila T. H., Ms. Preethi S., Dr. Steffi Santhana Mary S., Dr. Uma Maheswary and Dr. L. Santhosh Kumar; individual chapters, the contributors.
Source
Asia's Maritime History and Identity at Cultural Crossroads;pp.19-24
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Subject
British colonialism; Calcutta; Chinatown; Chinese migration; Maritime trade
Coverage
Yu R.P.L., Master of Social Sciences in Public Policy, Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences, University of Waikato, New Zealand; Sarkar S., Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, School of Social Sciences, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISBN: 978-104082042-1; 978-104082049-0;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Book chapter

Citation

Yu, Raymond Pao Lung; Sarkar, Sreemoyee, “The Water Unites and the Land Divides: Exploring Chinese Maritime Migration and the Birth of Kolkata Chinatown,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 19, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/25264.

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