Antsirabe is the industrial and agricultural centre of Madagascar. The town was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who liked its cool climate and the healing properties of its thermal springs. The elegant red-roofed building was built especially for visitors to enjoy the springs.Antsirabe is also the rickshaw or pousse-pousse 'capital' of Madagascar. Their local name originates from the English Push! Push!. Rickshaws were introduced to Madagascar from India in 1835 by English missionaries. The missionaries disliked local dignitaries being carried in palanquins shouldered by four men. Their idea to reduce manpower and speed up travel very quickly became popular. Since Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, is built on hills and the wealthy people who regularly used rickshaws lived at the top of those hills, one or two extra people were necessary to push laden rickshaws uphill. The people at the back were often urged by the dignitaries to Push! Push!. Over time the words became corrupted and rickshaws became known as pousse-pousse. .