コメントII 下ビルマの開発と移民 : 上ビルマからの移民をめぐって (世界資本主義とアジアの移民 : 一九世紀後半から二十世紀初頭)
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概要
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The rapid growth of a rice export economy in the Irrawaddy-Sittan Delta was achieved because large numbers of migrants came to the region from Upper Burma and the Indian Subcontinent. In this paper, we trace first the trends of immigration to the Delta. Secondly, we discuss the 'Pull-push' factors of migration, but will concentrate on the 'push' factors of migration from Upper Burma. Thirdly we shall discuss the relationship between 'push' factors and colonial policies. The number of migrants from Upper Burma reached a peak in the 1890s when migrants claimed swamp, forests and grew rice. Most of the agri-cultural labourers w'ere Burmese, but the number of Indian immigrants sharply increased in the period 1881-1931. They worked mainly in the rice mills, the dock yards, etc. although a few did become agriculturists. In other words, Burmese migrants contributed to the rice export economy of Burma by cultivating the paddy fields and Indian immigrants by processing and transporting the rice. It has been said that great acceleration of migration must be attributed primarily to the 'pull' factors-rapid economic growth, improved transportation facilities, the promise of abundent and fertle land, and incetives such as low taxes and consumer rewards-which developed after annexation of the the Delta. But according to our investigations, these 'pull' factors in the Delta disappeared in the early phase of the development. Migration within the Delta, caused by the spread of agrarian indebtedness, began in the first half of 1880s, and the ratio of internal migrants to all immigrants was relatively high from 1881. We must conclude that the reasons for migration into the Delta are to be found not in the 'pull' factors but in the 'push' factors. According to the latest study, the 'push' factors were drought, food shortages, and periodic famines which occured in the Dry Zone of Upper Burma. But those occurrences which caused the cultivaters distress, tended to be man-made calamities. The tariff policy of the colonial government to the Kingdom of Mandalay until 1862 caused the price of staple commodity to rise in Upper Burma. Also the export of surplus rice from the Delta to the English colonial settlements of India, Ceylon, Straight Settlement, etc. led to food shortages in Upper Burma. Farmers and peasants in the Dry Done had to leave their homeland because of hardship caused by a colonial policy which destroyed the indigenous circulatory systems needed for daily life.
- 1981-12-20
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関連論文
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