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CHAPTER 19
MIGRATION WITHIN INDIA
For 250 years in spite of battles and internal conflicts in royal families, the Halari Oshwals lived happily with what they had. But then natural disasters started occurring. The Navanagar state area is on the periphery of the monsoon belt and receives irregular rainfall, which often drops below normal. There will be a drought every two or three years. There will not be enough water to cultivate and grow crops and famine will set in. Because of that people and mostly domestic animals will perish due to lack of food. People started looking for opportunities outside Halar as early as 1860 A.D.
Minor movements between villages for economic or political reasons were common. Migration from villages to Jamnagar began in the second half of the nineteenth century, mostly as small traders (provision stores) and produce brokers. Because of their agricultural experience Halari Oshwals played an important part in Jamnagar's wholesale grain market. Later on many started small-scale cottage industries such as button factories and manufacturing brass parts in Jamnagar.
The condition in Halar was becoming bad. The period between 1880 A.D. and 1940 A.D. was worst. A number of calamities fell on Navanagar state.
In 1880-1890 A.D. the British government started developing the city of Bombay (Mumbai). There was a lot of construction going on because of the rapid expansion of commerce and industry and there was a need for laborers. Many Cutchhi Oshwals had already moved to Mumbai. Many had become wealthy. Because there were still relationships maintained between Halari and Cutchhi
