It seems that migration of Kapol families to Bombay was slow and sporadic until 1860’s. Then modern facilities such as railways, post office, and telegrams were first introduced and migration gathered momentum. The famines of 1856 and 1900 in Saurashtra also contributed to a mass migration of our community members to Bombay. The wealthier members of our community in Bombay played a pivotal role in settling the newly-arrived Kapols. They offered them inexpensive housing in dozens of Kapol Niwas spread throughout Bombay and grants to educate their children.

They also helped then by offering jobs or loans to start new businesses. The establishment of Bombay Municipal Corporation and Bombay University resulted in marked improvement in civic amenities and college education, which also contributed to further migration.

During the famine of 1900, Shri Kalayandas Vithaldas Kapadia, a prominent Kapol, not only donated huge amount of money and food, but personally worked very hard to oversee the famine relief efforts. In recognition of his humanitarian services, the Government of Bombay appointed him the Honorary Magistrate of Panchgini, which was a favorite resort town for the British. This is recorded in a book titled “Imperial Coronation Durbar, Delhi 1911.