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KURUWA

“Kuruwa” means a long wait in Nepali language. Kuruwa was a system of
unpaid forced labour practiced by the Zamindars and royal family. As a
Kuruwa labourer the peasants had to wait for the goods to arrive in trading
centres like Geil Khola, 27 Mile, Rangpu, Melli etc. and then carry the
th
kalobhari back to their villages which would include several days of
treacherous walk all in their own expense. Kuruwa labourers had to carry
heavy loads called Kalobhari. The Kazis or Thikadars had to arrange the
supply of Kuruwa labour as and when demanded by the Maharaja or the
British officials. Each peasant household had to perform kuruwa labour
without any wages.

The Notification no: 4816/G(M) dated 31 January, 1947 bearing the Memo
st
no. 4817-5316/G(M) abolished the system of Kuruwa in the whole of Sikkim.
However, the landlords and estate managers still had the responsibility to
supply labourers on demand of the higher authorities turn wise.

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