The period between 1845-1860 was a difficult time for the newly landed Goans in a township that was jostling for survival and on the threshold of infrastructural development. Hardworking and determined, Goans could see a future for themselves. Being a small group of people, they struggled to find work and make a living.
The earliest recorded initiative after some preliminary years of toil by any Goan was the establishment of a bakery by the enterprising Joseph Caetano Misquita in 1858. It was a simple idea to offer freshly baked bread to the low-income people of a small town while at the same time earn a livelihood for his family.
There were other Goans who also made the journey from Goa to Karachi in search of both, economic sustenance, and the opportunity to explore opportunities here. Among them was Manuel D’Abreo in 1846. The township offered enough prospects for people like Joseph Caetano and Manuel D’Abreo (the Misquita and D’Abreo clans), the Caldeiras, Gomes, D’Souzas, Lobos, Brittos and many more to bring their family members from Goa and raise their own. By 1860, there were more than 100 Goan families in the city.
To these fine families, there were to be born children who made a significant contribution to the city in decades to follow. Three among them were outstanding luminaries, the indomitable Cincinnatus Fabian D’Abreo (1862-1929) the son of Manuel D’Abreo, and Manuel Rozario Misquita (1886-1972) the son of Joseph Caetano Misquita. The first student registered at St Patrick’s School built by the Irish fusiliers in 1861 was a Goan named Manoel Santa Ana Caldeira. These young men and others who were in the forefront of civic, business, professional and social circles were among the pioneering Goans who worked hard to make Karachi their future home.
Back in Goa, people learnt about the opportunities which the new town of Karachi was offering for communities willing to make the journey here. Those who were already in the city brought their immediate families, while others, who worked on British trading ships as handymen, cooks, butlers, carpenters, tailors also took their chances, sailed to Karachi, and disembarked for a new life in a new city.
When they docked at the Karachi harbour, they realised that if they had to make a living here and bring their families from Goa, it would be a struggle “ but they were convinced and determined that Karachi offered more opportunities than Goa during that time.
Next: 1861-1900 “ Hardships, Determination and Success
(The writer is a Toronto-based communications consultant, Karachi Goan community/city historian and author).
