The indentured labor system was a labor arrangement where individuals agreed to work for a specific period, usually between four to seven years, in exchange for passage to a new country, food, and shelter. This system was particularly common in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in the Americas, where labor was needed for plantations and other industries. Many of the workers were from Europe, but others came from regions like India and China. Once their contract ended, indentured laborers were often free to pursue their own opportunities, although some faced challenges in securing land or employment after their service.