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Indian Association of Fiji

Uniting voices between indenture and independence. The name “Indian Association of Fiji” was used at several moments (from 1920 onward) to rally workers, merchants and professionals into one civic forum for rights and welfare.

Did You Know?

In 1919, the Imperial Association’s Suva Town Hall conference passed resolutions on Fiji issues and expressed solidarity over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, reflecting a global conscience among Fiji Indians.
Under Patel in the 1930s, the Association corresponded with allies in London, India and Kenya to publicise Fiji Indians’ causes—an early use of transnational advocacy from Fiji.

Key Facts

Earliest body

A relief-and-rights committee formed after the 1911 hurricane as the British Indian Association; founders included J.P. Maharaj, Totaram Sanadhya and Ram Singh. This later evolved into the Indian Imperial Association (1918) under Manilal Doctor.

“Indian Association” (1920)

Re-formed in 1920 by headmaster N. B. Mitter to organise western districts (Ba–Nadi–Lautoka–Nadroga). In the early 1920s, Ram Singh broadened its leadership across Hindu, Muslim and Christian figures.

1930s role

A. D. Patel served as President in the mid-1930s, using the Association to oppose nominated seats and to invite outside advocates such as C. F. Andrews (visited Fiji in 1936 at the Association’s invitation).

Focus

Legal access and fair hearings, wages and contracts, education advocacy, and constitutional representation as elected Indian seats expanded (1929 onward).

Legacy

A template for later civic coalitions—from the post-1911 relief effort to the 1930s constitutional push—and a bridge to the farmers’ movement and party politics.

Origins

After the devastating 1911 cyclone, Suva activists formed the British Indian Association to press for relief and legal help. In 1918, with barrister Manilal Doctor in Fiji, this became the Indian Imperial Association, which petitioned on marriage law, representation and justice. In 1920, a separate Indian Association of Fiji emerged in the west under N. B. Mitter; by the early 1920s Ram Singh rebuilt it with leaders across communities so Indian interests could be represented with one voice.

Milestones

Timeline

1911

British Indian Association founded in Suva after the hurricane to coordinate relief and petition the colonial government.

1918

Renamed the Indian Imperial Association under Manilal Doctor; resolutions on Fiji Indians’ rights and solidarity with Indian reform causes.

1920

“Indian Association of Fiji” formed by N. B. Mitter to organise workers in Ba–Nadi–Lautoka–Nadroga; revival under Ram Singh with multi-faith leadership.

1935–36

A. D. Patel, as President, opposes nominated seats, builds overseas links, and hosts C. F. Andrews (1936) to investigate Indian conditions in Fiji.

Legacy & Impact

The various “Indian Association” phases created a durable civic method: petition, public meeting, outside expertise, and press coverage. Their work helped normalise elected Indian representation (from 1929), linked labour with law, and trained a generation—Maharaj, Ram Singh, Patel—who later shaped unions and parties.

Gallery

Charles Freer Andrews, reformer and ally of Gandhi; visited Fiji in 1936 at the Association’s invitation — Charles Freer Andrews (c. 1920s). Visited Fiji in 1936 to report on Indian conditions, in coordination with local leaders. Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

Historic Suva waterfront scene, early 20th century — Historic Suva scene (early 20th century). The Associations’ public meetings and petitions were centred on Suva institutions. Source: Wikimedia Commons / NYPL (public domain).