The Shasta Courier

Slavery In Bengal.—The British Government is accused of winking at an abuse which is not generally known to exist in India. It appears that in Eastern Bengal, almost all zimindars and respectable people have a certain number of purchased slaves, both male and female. They get no wages, and are engaged life-long in the service of their lords. The zemindars, and respectable people of those parts, on the occasion of the marriage of their daughters, make presents of slaves, both male and female, who also are sold like goods. Everybody oppresses them. If a bondman or a bondwoman attempts to escape, effectual measures are taken to prevent the flight, and the condition of the slave becomes worse than ever. In the eastern part of the district of Jessore and the west of Burdwan, almost in all villages this custom is prevalent; it does not obtain only in Calcutta, Baraset, Hooghly and other adjoining districts. In Calcutta and other places there are brokers for buying bondmen and bondwomen. After convicting some low-caste females of adultery, they employ them as servants, and on pretence of traveling they sell them at Vikrampore, Dacca and other places,—Times of India.