Question

Why were people forced to migrate in search of work?

Answer 1

Most Indian indentured workers came from the present-day regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Central India, and the dry districts of Tamil Nadu. In the mid-nineteenth century, these regions experienced many changes such as cottage industries declined, land rents rose, lands were cleared for mines and plantations. All this affected the lives of the poor. The result was that they failed to pay their rents, became deeply indebted and were forced to migrate in search of work.