Where Did Coolies Come From

The word coolie was first popularized in the 16th century by European traders across Asia, and by the 18th century would refer to migrant Indian indentured labourers, and by the 19th century, would gain a new definition of the systematic shipping and hiring of Asian workers under contract on plantations that had been …

Where did the Chinese coolies come from?

They were mainly impoverished Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore in the latter half of the 19th century to seek fortune, but instead served as indentured labourers. Coolies were employed in almost every sector of work including construction, agriculture, shipping, mining and rickshaw pulling.

How did the coolies come to Singapore?

Coolies and Samsui women had one thing in common; both groups engaged in hard labour. Coolies were primarily impoverished Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore in the second half of the 19th century, seeking employment as construction and plantation workers, miners or even rickshaw pullers.

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.

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