Global Dharmaj
વૈશ્વિક ધર્મજ…

Issue:-2 Year:-1

Monday, Vaishakh Vad Agiyaras Vikram Samvat 2076

Date:- 18th May 2020

Dear Dharmajians,

Namaste

Today I want talk about foreign migrations of the natives of Dharmaj. Dharmaj has been referred to as the Global Village. 

If Dharmaj, a small village of Charotar, which previously used to be a part of Kheda district and now falls into Anand District has got recognition in the world, then it is due to its people who have settled all around the world. This recognition was not an overnight phenomenon. The struggle and hard work of its generations through decades made it possible. There were times when it was exceedingly difficult to leave one owns town and settle elsewhere. This was true in 1895 when Dharmaj was not as affluent as one sees today. Just like any other village, it too had dusty roads and lacked in basic infrastructure like the taps and gutter lines. In such times, few adventurous residents thought of migrating to other countries, which was quite ahead of their times. Various reasons are responsible for migration in life. For example, higher education, wealth creation, the spirit of adventure and the curiosity of discovering the unknown. The reasons could vary according to individual situations in one’s life, but the main reason to migrate in 1895 could have been the economic condition. It was the time when the British Rule was at its pinnacle and they ruled over many countries, including India and the African countries.  Collectively these countries were known as British colonies and this combination made the migration between them possible. During these times, Dharmaj fell under the Gaekwad Raj of the State of Baroda. The Gaekwad rulers supported the migration process of the people of Dharmaj and adjoining villages. 

Migration in those days was not easy. We hear that people had travelled in simple raft ships from the docks of Khambhat and later started sailing by steamers. The railways and the steamers were both under British administration. Tickets to Kenya, specifically the Mombasa docks, were issued from Anand Railway Station, where in one travelled to Mumbai by rail and from there to Mombasa by steamer on a common ticket. From Mombasa, people then went on to other parts of Kenya or other African countries. As heard from elders, there were instances where people travelled on foot from Mombasa to Nairobi, 500km, through the dense jungle. They used to walk throughout the night and rest in a village, if found, by nightfall or else sleep on the treetops to save themselves from the wild animals which inhabited the forests. The journey from Mumbai to Mombasa was at least 10 days and thus they carried along with them famous Gujarati snacks in case food was unavailable. Once settled in Africa, the young men used to come home to marry. A permit was required to take the bride. To reduce the wait period, our people used to take out a blank permit while coming to India and later add the brides name in the blank space and take the bride along with them. It was jokingly called “permitya lagan”. 

From 1895-1969, the flow of migration was mostly towards the African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Many went to England for higher studies. Many people migrated to Fiji Islands too. In 1972, many Asians from Uganda diverted to England due to their expulsion by dictatorial and oppressive ruler Idi Amin. From 1970 onwards, our people started settling in America and later in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other foreign countries. This flow of migration continues till date. We shall talk further about these migrations, information regarding our people settled in different countries, their contribution to our village, etc. in future articles, where in which we wish to add your views, inputs and rare photographs, so kindly send them to us at info@avichal.org or submit via this link . Let us begin to trace our roots. Looking forward.

Rajesh Patel
Dharohar Foundation
Ph. No. + 91 9426500757
Email: rajesh.patel@mydharmaj.com