The paper discusses the overview of indentured labour in three geographical regions of the world – guano mining in Peru, plantations in Mauritius and America. It delineates the cultural, social and religious life of the indentured workers in the three systems, outside the control of the planters. Against this backdrop, we will chronicle the intertwined and frequently clashing role of caste, class, race and religion in the life of the workers. We will assess its consequences on plantation society, which can be seen in countries even today.

KEYWORDS: indenture system, plantations, guano mining, caste system