Central Idea

A recent Bollywood movie ‘Dunki’ addresses the complex issue of immigration.
The term “donkey journey” in the title refers to the perilous routes taken by people lacking legal permits or financial means to immigrate.
The film highlights that the current system of visas and passports is a relatively recent development, dating back about 70 years.

Historical Perspective on Passports

Early Forms of Passports: Passports, serving as identity proofs and travel permits, have existed in various forms for centuries.
Biblical Reference: The Book of Nehemiah mentions King Artaxerxes of ancient Persia providing letters for safe passage, akin to modern passports.
European Documentation: In France and the United Kingdom, systems similar to modern passports were in place well before the French Revolution of 1789.

Internal and Overseas Passports: France required internal passports for domestic travel and overseas passports for foreign trips.
State Control and Regulation: The system was also used to regulate skilled workers and prevent the entry of potential troublemakers.

Shift in India: Before World War I, India did not issue passports, but the British government introduced mandatory passports under the Defence of India Act (1914 to 1918).
Global Changes Post-World Wars: The need for secure borders during the World Wars led to a global shift in the perception and use of passports.
British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act: This 1914 Act in Britain consolidated laws related to citizenship and introduced modern passport features.

League of Nations’ Involvement: In 1920, the League of Nations aimed to standardize passport systems, with the British model becoming widely adopted.
US Immigration Laws and Passports: The US introduced passport laws in the 1920s, coinciding with immigration restrictions from Asia.

Personal Discomfort: In the US and UK, some people found the detailed physical descriptions and identity verification in passports intrusive.
Media Attention: The requirement for prominent individuals, including President Woodrow Wilson, to have passports garnered significant media interest.

Beyond Wartime Necessity: Initially intended as a wartime tool, passports have become an integral part of modern citizenship and international travel.
Continued Evolution: The history of passports, as explored in ‘Dunki’, reflects the ongoing evolution of identity verification and border control in response to global socio-political changes.