During colonial period (British period) millions of the indentured labourers were sent to Mauritius, Caribbean islands (Trinidad, Tobago and Guyana), Fiji and South Africa by British from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; to Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Surinam by French and Dutch and by Portuguese from Goa, Daman and Diu to Angola, Mozambique to work as plantation workers. All such migrations were covered under the time-bound contract known as Girmit Act (Indian Emigration Act). However, the living conditions of these indentured labourers were not better than the slaves.
Assertion: First stream of migration from India was mainly directed towards the former colonies of the Imperial Powers.
Reasoning: The workers during the first stream of migration were treated like slaves in the destination countries.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
First stream of migration from India was mainly due to the Push factor as the Britishers were sending Indians forcefully to work abroad under slavery like conditions in Plantations.