The Apravasi Ghat marks the site of the former ‘immigration depot’ through which nearly 450,000 indentured labourers from India set foot in Mauritius between 1830s and 1920s. To mark the arrival of the first batch of indentured labourers in Mauritius on November 2, 1834, an annual commemorative ceremony is performed on this date at the Apravasi Ghat. After independence of Mauritius, the Government undertook a project for the restoration and development of the Apravasi Ghat to pay tribute to the memory of the Indian indentured labourers and to preserve the monument as a historical building which would reflect the cultural heritage of Mauritius. The visit of the Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi to this site in 1970 and of other Indian dignitaries over the years has given a new dimension to this heritage site and made it a symbol of Indo - Mauritian ties.

In 1985, the Mauritian Government declared the site a protected monument. Previously, the site was known as the ‘Coolie Ghat’ which was changed to ‘Apravasi Ghat’ in 1987. In 2001, the ‘Apravasi Ghat Trust Fund’ (AGTF) was set up to establish and promote Apravasi Ghat as a national, regional and international memorial site; create a museum at the Apravasi Ghat; create public awareness about the history of the site and depict the arrival, settlement and evolution of the immigrants in Mauritius. In 2003, the Apravasi Ghat was recognized as a National Heritage and on July 13, 2006, it was accorded World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

The High Commission is represented on the Apravasi Ghat Trust Fund. India has also provided training to the archaeological technicians working on the site and has actively supported the restoration and renovation of this historical structure. The Apravasi Ghat Conservation Project was launched by the AGTF, under the supervision of a team from International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) – India.

In March-April 2005, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the Apravasi Ghat by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, during his State Visit to Mauritius. In March 2006 Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, during his visit to Mauritius, also visited the site and laid a wreath in memory of the indentured labourers who came to Mauritius. On November 2, 2007 (observed as Apravasi Divas every year), Smt. Meira Kumar, the then Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, laid a wreath at the Ghat, and was one of the key speakers.

Contact details:

Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund 

Address: 15th Floor, Hennessy Court,
Pope Hennessy Street
Port-Louis

Call  Us: (+230)  214 3787 

(+230)  2143790 

(+230)  214 3794

Email us:  aapravasi@intnet.mu

Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site

Address: Quay Street Port Louis

Call Us: +230 217 7770
+230 5256 3600

Email Us: outreach.agtf@intnet.mu