Mauritius is a diasporic society formed by successive waves of migration from different countries and regions of three continents. It started as a port of call with settlers from Europe and slaves from Africa in the 17th and early 18th centuries.. In subsequent years more settlers arrived from Europe bringing in yet larger numbers of slaves from East Africa and Madagascar, and also artisans from South India. As regards immigration from Andhra, or the Telugu country, a few migrants might have been introduced in the 18th century and in the early years of the 19th century. However, a regular inflow of people from Andhra started after the abolition of slavery in 1835, in context of the Indian Identured System introduced by the British. In fact, Mauritius was the seat for the “Great Experiment’’ of the Indentured system.

The majority of the Telugu people who migrated to Mauritius as “Identured labourers” during the period 1834 to 1912 were from the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh namely: Srikaakulam, Vijayanagaram, Vishaakapatnam, East Godaavari, West Godaavari and Krishna. Some also came from Ganjam district which now forms part of the state of Orissa which is north to Srikaakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Some people first embarked at the korenghi port, from where they were sent to Mauritius. That is why the Telugus of Mauritius are also known as the “Korenghis” or “Coranghess”. Some also embarked from the Vishakapatnam fishing port.