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Part IV. Rise and Glory
half of nineteenth century, primarily to become small traders.
During the drought of 1895-1896 A.D. and famine of 18991901 A.D., many went to Bombay (Mumbai) because of the rapid expansion of commerce and industry which had started in the eighteen eighties A.D. Other cities where some went as temporary unskilled labor were Karachi and Ahmedabad.
Indians traveled to Zanzibar around 1500 A.D. During the construction of Uganda Railway British Government brought around three hundred thousand laborers from India. Two thousand and fifty laborers were killed and six thousand and fifty became invalid while building the railroad. Nearly six thousand of those chose to stay in Kenya. Many others followed later. The number of immigrants and traders in East Africa increased with the growth of economic opportunity, also protection and stability following the developing interest of the British Government. Businesses expanded and the growth of the colonial administration required increasing numbers of support staff.
