IndoMauritians

Indo-Mauritians are Mauritians of Indian origin, the largest ethnic group in Mauritius. They trace their ancestry to indentured laborers and other migrants brought to Mauritius by the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries to work on sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery.

The community is diverse, including Bhojpuri- and Awadhi-speaking groups from North India, plus Tamil-, Telugu-, Marathi-, and Gujarati-speaking communities from various regions of India. Most Indo-Mauritians arrived between the 1830s and 1920s, though later professionals and merchants also settled on the island.

Language and religion: Mauritian Creole is the common lingua franca, while many Indo-Mauritians maintain Indian languages such as Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati in family and religious settings. Hinduism is the predominant faith, with sizable Muslim and Christian minorities.

Culture and daily life: Indian festivals such as Diwali and Pongal are widely observed, alongside local Mauritian traditions. Indian culinary traditions—curries, dal, rotis, and sweets—are prominent, and music and dance forms from the Indian subcontinent are reflected in community events and religious ceremonies.

Impact and identity: Indo-Mauritians have played a central role in Mauritius' economy, education and politics and have contributed to the island's plural culture. They maintain ties with India through cultural organizations, and a Mauritian diaspora also exists in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and elsewhere.