Saigon, Vietnam - A Chetty
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Saigon, Vietnam - A Chetty
An Indian Chetty merchant (or Chettiar) in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. Chetty is a title used by various mercantile castes in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, the title appears as Setty, Shettar and Shettigar. To this day, Vietnam has a small minority population of about 3000 Tamils. Date: 1910s
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Media ID 11551686
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Caste Castes Mercantile Merchant Minh Saigon Tamil Vietnam Diaspora
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph from the 1910s, we see a Chetty merchant, a man of Indian descent and a member of the Chettiar caste, seated in the bustling streets of Saigon, Vietnam, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. The Chetty title is a designation used for various mercantile castes in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, the title appears as Setty, Shettar, and Shettigar. The Chettiar caste has a rich history dating back over two thousand years, with a strong tradition in trade and commerce. They originated in the southern Indian region of Tamil Nadu and have been instrumental in the economic development of various regions, including Southeast Asia. The presence of Tamils and the Chettiar diaspora in Vietnam dates back to the 17th century, and to this day, there is a small but significant minority population of about 3000 Tamils in the country. In this image, the Chetty merchant sits confidently, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Saigon's streets. He wears traditional Indian attire, with a white dhoti and a shawl draped over his shoulders. His calm demeanor and focused expression convey the importance of his role as a merchant in this bustling commercial hub. The photograph offers a glimpse into the rich history of Indian trade and commerce in Vietnam and the enduring connections between India and Southeast Asia. This photograph is an intriguing reminder of the global reach of Indian mercantile communities and the role they played in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of various regions. It is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Chettiar diaspora and their continued presence in Vietnam, even as the world around them has undergone significant changes.
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