Aapravasi Ghat

Aapravasi Ghat (The Immigration Depot) is a building complex in Port Louis, Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius was the first British colony to absorb indentured, or contractual, labor from a variety of nations. Aapravasi Ghat is a literal Hindi translation of "Immigration Depot," and has been in use since 1987. Ghat literally means "interface," metaphorically signifying a shift between the old life and the new for the entering indentured immigrants. Aapravasi is the Hindi term for "immigrant," while ghat literally means "land-sea interface." The Immigration Depot has also been known by an ancient moniker, the 'Coolie Ghat,' alluding to its use as a pit break for potential plantation laborers, commonly known as coolies.

Between 1849 and 1923, half a million Indian indentured laborers went through the Immigration Depot on their way to British Empire plantations. The massive influx of laborers left an indelible effect on the communities of many former British colonies, with Indians accounting for a significant percentage of their populations. In Mauritius alone, Indian origin makes up about 68 percent of the population. As a result, the Immigration Depot has become a significant landmark in Mauritius' history and cultural identity.

Only the incomplete ruins of three stone structures from the entire complex have survived due to unchecked infrastructure development in the mid-20th century. Under Mauritian national heritage legislation, these are now classified as national monuments. In 2006, UNESCO designated the Immigration Depot as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its significance in social history. The Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund is in charge of the site's management. The fragile structures are being restored to their 1860s status through conservation initiatives. Along with Le Morne Brabant, it is one of Mauritius' two World Heritage Sites.

Location: Port Louis District, Mauritius