The Malaysian Indians comes at an important juncture in the history of this significant minority group in Malaysia. Written several years before the Hindraf rallies of 2007, this book is a much-needed introduction to the Indians of Malaysia.

It is a balanced, scholarly yet highly readable account of the origins, economic and political contributions, and continuing divisions and problems faced by this diverse community.

The focus is on those who migrated or were brought to work in colonial plantations and the civil service in the late 19th and early 20th century. Both the educated and poor labouring classes came to this nation seeking their fortunes, and became part and parcel of this growth, prosperity and political upheavals.

Readers are also reminded of the important, centuries-old, pre-colonial ties between India and Southeast Asia-links that deeply influenced kingship, religion, culture and trade, including in the Malay world. This book also traces the key contributions of individuals and groups in the making of Malaya as well as Malaysia. It is hoped that this book will be the springboard for more research, rational discussion, and informed public debates and policies about the Malaysian Indians, including its poorest, most marginalized, sections.

Table of Contents
1. A Question of Identity
2. The Tamil connection
3. The Other Indians (from North and South)
4. Doing Their Own Thing: Sikh Affairs, 1874-1941
5. Tamil Renaissance
6. The Particularism of the Middle Classes
7. Indian Labour and the Great Depression
8. The Role of the CIAM
9. Grassroots Alternatives: The Social Reform Movement
10. Interregnum
11. Malayan Indians at the Crossroads
12. Post-war Malayan Indian Political Organizations
13. The Quest for Leadership
14. The triumph of the Communal Principle
15. The Era of the Tunku, 1957-1970
16. Razak and Hussein Onn: The New Course, 1971-1981
17. The Voice of Dissent
18. The Mahathir Years, 1981-2003
19. Language and Education (Part 1)
20. Language and Education (Part 2)