In the nineteenth century, thousands of MOS Indian and Chinese labourers migrated to work on plantations, in mines, and in road and railway construction projects around the world. In India they were hired under contracts for five years for plantation work and they would return back home once the contract and work was over. Most Indian indentured workers came from the present-day si regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, central India and the dry districts of Tamil Nadu. The circumstances that took shape in the mid-19th century in these regions experienced many changes-cottage industries declined, land rent rose, lands were cleared for mines and plantations. All this affected the lives of the poor people. They failed to pay their rents, became deeply indebted and were forced to migrate in search of work. Many believed indenture was nothing but a 'new system of slavery' as the living and working conditions of labourers were harsh and they had a few legal rights.