ABSTRACT
The arrival of indentured and later free or 'passenger' Indians inevitably laid the foundations of permanent settlement of Indians in South Africa. Both indentured and free Indians were heterogeneous in terms of their language, ethnic groups and religion. The indentured immigrants were predominantly Hindus, who constituted 90 per cent of the labouring immigrants. Migration did not deter some immigrants from practising their religion. Religion and diaspora have become significant research themes over the past few decades. Some scholars have highlighted the intersections of religion and diaspora in that it provides an insight into 'general patterns of religious transformation' and assimilation. This chapter illustrates how Hinduism in South Africa evolved, and the role played by religious scholars (in particular, Pandit Nardev Vedalankar) in shaping and defining early religious identities in South Africa. Under the leadership of Pandit Vedalankar, the HSS played an important role in propagating the Hindi language.
