EPISODE · Dec 21, 2025 · 43 MIN
John Solomon – Caste & Untouchables in Colonial Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
from Chronicles of Old Singapore · host Loh Kah Seng
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Historian John Solomon discusses his research on the elusive history of caste in colonial Singapore. He relates the struggles of the lower castes in India who migrated here in search of new opportunities and identities. These migrants, some of whom worked in Lorong Lalat (present-day Jalan Bersih), endured lower-paying jobs as well as acts of discrimination. John traces the development of reform movements that sought to remove the influence of caste. 00:00 Introduction03:45 Caste in India08:52 Caste in Textbooks11:09 Migration & Caste in Singapore19:56 Caste Across the Indian Communities25:04 Insults & Discriminatory Acts34:31 The Gandhian Movement38:06 The Dravidian MovementJohn Solomon, A Subaltern History of the Indian Diaspora in Singapore: The Gradual Disappearance of Untouchability 1872-1965.https://www.routledge.com/A-Subaltern-History-of-the-Indian-Diaspora-in-Singapore-The-Gradual-Disappearance-of-Untouchability-1872-1965/Solomon/p/book/9780367875237Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. This is Dr Loh KS, the people’s historian, and I speak to people on their memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to [email protected] if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
What this episode covers
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Historian John Solomon discusses his research on the elusive history of caste in colonial Singapore. He relates the struggles of the lower castes in India who migrated here in search of new opportunities and identities. These migrants, some of whom worked in Lorong Lalat (present-day Jalan Bersih), endured lower-paying jobs as well as acts of discrimination. John traces the development of reform movements that sought to remove the influence of caste. 00:00 Introduction03:45 Caste in India08:52 Caste in Textbooks11:09 Migration & Caste in Singapore19:56 Caste Across the Indian Communities25:04 Insults & Discriminatory Acts34:31 The Gandhian Movement38:06 The Dravidian MovementJohn Solomon, A Subaltern History of the Indian Diaspora in Singapore: The Gradual Disappearance of Untouchability 1872-1965.https://www.routledge.com/A-Subaltern-History-of-the-Indian-Diaspora-in-Singapore-The-Gradual-Disappearance-of-Untouchability-1872-1965/Solomon/p/book/9780367875237Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. This is Dr Loh KS, the people’s historian, and I speak to people on their memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to [email protected] if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344 Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
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John Solomon – Caste & Untouchables in Colonial Singapore Part 1 | Chronicles of Old Singapore
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