 They consisted of unskilled labourers like the Chinese coolies, traders, soldiers garrisoned at Singapore by the government in Calcutta, as well as a number of Indian convicts who were sent to Singapore to carry out public works projects, such as clearing jungles and swampy marshes and laying out roads.They also helped construct many buildings, including St. Andrew's Cathedral, and many Hindu temples.After serving their sentences, many convicts chose to stay in Singapore.