IndoMauritian

Indo-Mauritian refers to a Mauritian of Indian origin or descent. It is one of the island’s largest demographic groups within a multiethnic society. Most Indo-Mauritians are descendants of Indian indentured laborers brought to Mauritius by the British from the 1830s onward, with origins in northern, southern and western regions of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Languages and religion: While Mauritian Creole is the common lingua franca, many Indo-Mauritians maintain Indian language traditions such as Bhojpuri, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu. Hinduism is the majority religion, with sizeable Muslim and Christian communities.

Culture: Indo-Mauritians have shaped Mauritius’s cuisine, music and festivals through dishes like curries and dhal puri, Bollywood- and regional-influenced music, and celebrations such as Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi, alongside Eid. They have been prominent in commerce, education and public life, contributing to Mauritius’s political and social development.

Politics and notable figures: Indo-Mauritians have played a significant role in national politics. Notable figures include Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Anerood Jugnauth and Pravind Jugnauth, illustrating the community’s long involvement in governance.

Diaspora and identity: The Indo-Mauritian community maintains cultural ties with India while integrating into Mauritian society, shaped by multilingualism, religious pluralism and Mauritian constitutional commitments to equality and social harmony.

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