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Chapter 21. Migration Across the Ocean
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from the village of Kharaberaja, in year 1896 A.D. He sailed on an Arab dhow from Jamnagar. After an arduous journey of two to three months he landed in Madagascar. The dhow did stop at Mombasa and Zanzibar. Why he did not get off in Mombasa or Zanzibar and instead proceeded to Madagascar is a mystery.
However according to folklore a well respected wise old man by name of Karamshi Bhagat (holy man) lived in village of Kharaberaja. He persuaded Jetha Anand, and three other young men Gokalji also from village of Kharaberaja and two Sacchani brothers from village of Dhinchada to go across the sea and instructed them to settle down in country whose name started with 'M'. The four young men boarded an Arab dhow in year 1896. The dhow stopped at Mombasa. They went around the town but they did not like the town and proceeded onwards with their journey. The dhow finally stopped at island of Madagascar. They got down and decided to settle down there as the country's name started with 'M'. It is said that French Government gave a parcel of land to Jetha Anand and Gokalji who started farming. The two Sachhani brothers opened a small shop. Some of their descendants are still living in Madagascar.
Madagascar is an island located on the east coast of southern part of Africa. In those days Madagascar was known as the Land of Gold. Madagascar had settlements of Indians by the eighteenth century. The majority of these early settlers were Bohras from Jamnagar. The contacts between Madagascar and Jamnagar provided the knowledge, inducement and opportunity for Oshwals to leave for that far-away island. Most Oshwals in Madagascar were traders from the start, a few engaged in agriculture.
After hearing about the success of Jetha Anand who used to send news and write letters back home to his relatives giving detailed accounts of the land and the opportunities, more people thought of going abroad. The early pioneers
