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Chapter 23. Mombasa
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cleaning seawater was used. Very few personal items were allowed. If traveling by deck class one had to bring one's own bedding. The journey usually lasted ten to fifteen days.
Mombasa is an island, the gateway to Kenya. The original name of which was Kisiwa cha Mvita, which means 'Island of War'. The old port of Mombasa was a big square. Anchored in the harbor were mostly European sailing ships, Arab dhows and a few steamers. Mombasa was more like a town in India. Indian law was in effect. Indian currency and Indian postal stamps were in use. It was the center of business. The population was mostly Bohras, Khojas, Memons, Hindus, Jain Oshwals, Lohanas, Goans, Arabs, Omanis and Europeans. Hindus and Arabs mostly controlled the business. The houses were either made of mud or corrugated galvanized iron sheets. The streets were made of dirt, narrow and unpaved. There were no cement or tarmac roads.
The number of people traveling started increasing considerably. The population of Halari Oshwals was comparatively small in number. It was becoming difficult to host all the new comers. There was a rest house run by the Hindu Union. It was open to all. Many Halari Oshwals started taking advantage of the rest house for temporary shelter. But it was not sufficient.
In 1915 A.D., the first Oshwal gathering was held under the leadership of Keshavji Ramji in Nairobi and Hirji Kara in Mombasa. This was the beginning of an organized Oshwal community.
In 1916 A.D. the community leaders got together and made a decision to have an Oshwal guesthouse (dharamshala). A trust fund was created called the Dharamshala Trust Fund. A committee with Ramji Keshavji as chairman was formed to supervise the fund. People donated money all round. Four thousand rupees were
