Cutchi Memon Digest March 2015

Almost a decade before petrol, Chennai got to see
kerosene for the first time. This was thanks to Best
& Co, one of the giants of First Line Beach,
Madras. But the credit for first bringing kerosene
to the city belongs in reality to Haji Sir Ismail Sait.
As early as 1881 he was importing kerosene oil
from America in cans and selling them through
Spencer & Co. By the 1890s, he had developed a
system of branches and depots upcountry and was
firmly entrenched in the trade. In Madras, Haji Sir
Ismail pioneered the sale of kerosene through
carts, a system that survived well into the 1970s.
Best & Co studied Haji Sir Ismail’s methods and
given their financial muscle, went on to make a
name for themselves in kerosene. He was also the
first individual to start retailing of petrol in
Madras.

[A contemporary stalwart from Trivandrum was
Haji Yunis Haji Dawood (late H.D. Yunis) who

50

brought the first automobile to Trivandrum and
established petrol outlets in Trivandrum and
Kottayam. He established spare part vending units
under the style ―Motor Sales and Service‖, the
forerunner of M S & S (Motors) Pvt Ltd. In Kochi,
which is the largest Hero Honda dealer in Kerala,
now being managed by his grandchildren.]

In 1888, became a magistrate in Bangalore and
was made a Khan Bahadur in 1911 and knighted in
1923. The then Maharajah of Mysore conferred the
title Fakhr-ut-Tajjar on him. Ismail Sait was
nominated as a member of the Madras Legislative
Council in 1911. Hajee Sir Ismail Sait,
businessman and philanthropist, was invited by
the British to inaugurate Russell Market on August
5, 1927. The British also handed over a memento
— the replica of the key made in silver, which is
still held by Sait's family as a treasure. It has the
British crown on the top and an engraving that

51

reads: ―Presented to Hajee Sir Ismail Sait KT, on
the occasion of the opening of Russell Market.‖

The Russel
Market Key

Ismail Sait’s hey days were also when the
Independence movement was gaining ground
around the country. His great grand son Zaffar Sait
says, his grandmother recalled how people often
gathered in front of the English Warehouse shop,
protesting Ismail Sait’s business of importing and
selling English goods. Though he did not support
the non-cooperation movement (among other
things, he refused to give up his titles!), at the
same time, Ismail Sait helped set up the Khilafat
Committee in Bangalore. But personal differences

52

amongst those involved led him eventually to
distance himself from the movement.

His club memberships in several distinguished
clubs including the Willingdon Sports Club,
Bombay, Calcutta Club and the National Liberal
Club of London were key to his business beside
the great business sense and wonder-ful PR
skills. But public service was a priority for him.
Healthcare and education were major
concerns. Being successful in business was not the
reason for honours being heaped upon Ismail Sait.

Throughout his life, he donated generously to
many causes. His most well-known act of charity
was to donate Rs 1,50,000 towards the
construction of the Gosha hospital in Bangalore,
set up so that women who observed purdah could
also avail of modern medical care. The hospital
opened in 1925. The Out Patient dispensary

53

attached to the Government K.R. Hospital, Mysore
was built in 1927 by Hajee Sir Ismail Sait to
commemorate the Golden Jubilee celebrations of
the then Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Krishnaraja
Wodiyar. He also donated the land and Rs. 50,000
to build the mosque in Fraser Town that still bears
his name. A road in Bangalore also bears the name
of Hajee Sir Ismail Sait. He also constructed a
number of mosques and hospitals in Bangalore,
Madras and Bombay. Sait Colony, a locality
in Egmore, Chennai is named after him.

He died on 24th April 1934 in the tuberculosis
sanitarium at Arogyavaram, Chittoor District, now
in Andhra Pradesh. He was buried in the open
space adjoining the main prayer hall of the Cutchi
Memon Masjid in Mysore. Notably, this Masjid was
also built by Sir Ismail Sait in 1239 A.H. He was
survived by a widow, Ayesha Bai, five sons and a
(two ?) daughter. He had seventeen grandchildren.

54

One of the grandsons, Abdul Sammad suddenly
died during his life time, between 6th and 13th
April 1934, while at Aligarh Muslim University.

All Odisha Cutchi Memon Jamat

Cutchi Memons came to Orissa via Calcutta during
the latter part of the
18th century. They
landed by boat in
Chandbali, the then
port of Orissa. They
were businessmen,
and their main
source of income was
exports of goods to
far-away countries
such as Ceylon,

Mauritius, Burma and Indonesia. They had cordial
relations with the people of Orissa, and very soon

55

became prominent due to their integrity, honesty,
and truthfulness, hallmarks of a true Islamic way
of life. They conducted their business activities
through the port of Chandbali, and from the
coasts of Paradip, Puri and Gopalpur-on-Sea by
means of small country boats which plied up to
the steamers that were anchored in deep sea. It is
said that the first steam launch which touched the
port of Chandbali belonged to the famous Late
Haji Mohamed Zakaria Sait of Calcutta, father of
Sir Abdul Razzaque Mohamed Kt., a cabinet
minister of Mauritius.

Most of the Cutchi Memons, who came to Orissa,
settled in the commercial town of Cuttack, and the
rest in the port of Chandbali and at Jatni (Khurda
Road, the most important railway junction of the
then Bengal-Nagpur Railway.) Among the foremost
Cutchi Memon residents of Cuttack was Late Haji
Mohammed Attas Sait. He bought a vast plot of

56

land in Buxi Bazaar (adjacent to the present
General Post Office) in the heart of Cuttack, and
constructed a double-storied building on it. This
building was named "Nakhoda Kothi" and housed
Cutchi Memon families who migrated to Cuttack.

Among the notable Cutchi Memon gentries, who
first came to Orissa, were:

Haji Mohammed Attas Sait, Haji Jafar Parta Sait,
Joosub Haji Adam Sait Vatao, Hashim
Salehmohamed Danidina Sait Vatao, Abdulla
Kaderdina Sait Vatao, Haji Macci Patel Sait, Abdul
Shakoor Abdul Karim Sait, Abba Allarakha Sait,
Kaderdina Allarakha Sait, Ahmed Kassim Sait
Vatao, Joonus Haji Moosa Sait Vatao, Mohammed
Ayoob Sait, Hashim Alimohamed Sait Patel,
Aboobaker Ismail Sait, Salehmohamed Karim
Mohammed Sait and Abdul Karim Haji Yusuf Sait.

57

At present, the descendants of late Hashim
Salehmohammed Danidina Sait Vatao and late
Abdul Karim Haji Yusuf Sait are settled in Jatni
(Khurda Road), and those of late Saleh Mohammed
Karim Mohammed Sait and late Aboobaker Ismail
Sait in Chandbali. Descendants of the rest are
settled in Cuttack.

Orissa came to the attention of the all India-famed
Haji Saboo Siddick of Bombay, Haji Mohammed
Zakaria Sait of Calcutta, Haji Abdul Rahim Oosman
Sait of Calcutta, and Mohammed Jacob Ahmed
Sabuani Sait of Calcutta. Haji Saboo Siddick Sait
opened a branch of his business enterprise in
Cuttack, and constructed a huge godown there.
The present "Sayeed Seminary", the famous high
school of Cuttack, is located there. Similarly, Haji
Mohammed Zakaria Sait and Mohammed Jacob
Ahmed Sait of Calcutta opened their trade
branches in Cuttack, Jatni, Rahama, Bhutmandi

58

and various other places.

Haji Abdul Rahim Oosman Sait of Calcutta created
fame in Orissa by constructing a beautiful Masjid
and a Dargah sharif, both in exquisite marble. The
Dargah sharif is of the Muslim saint, Syed Bukhari
Sahib, and is based on Mughal style of
architecture, and Oosmania Sari of Kaipadar, about
25 kms from Jatni. This has become an important
place of pilgrimage.

Haji Mohammed Attas Sait constructed the Jama
Masjid of Jatni, and a Masjid at Rahama, a village
near the present port of Paradip.

Abdulla Kaderdina Sait has left some waqf
properties in Cuttack. This is managed by the
Cutchi Memons of Orissa as is the Madrassa
Islamia.

The present generation of Cutchi Memons of

59

Orissa has produced some important
personalities. Among them is the young and
dynamic Dr. Mohammed Ayoob, PhD, son of Mrs.
Hanifa Abdul Latif Mohammed of Cuttack.
Dr.Mohammed Ayoob is a brilliant scholar of
Political Science, and an outstanding orator
(winning laurels in his Aligarh Muslim University
days). He stood first in his Senior Cambridge from
Stewart School, Cuttack, first in B.A. (Hons) from
Utkal University, first in M.A. from Aligarh Muslim
University, and Ph. D from the University of Hawaii
at Honolulu. In this connection, names of Saleh
Mohamed A. Karim, B.A. of Chandbali, a prominent
social and political figure of Orissa, and
Aboobaker Ismail, B.A. of Chandbali, a very sharp
and intelligent young man, are worth mentioning.

Cutchi Memons of Orissa feel highly indebted to
Abdul Shakoor Mohammed Sait, son of late

60

Mohammed Ayoob of Cuttack, the former
Treasurer of All Orissa Cutchi Memon Jamat and
uncle of Dr. Mohammed Ayoob, for the social
services rendered and sacrifices made for the
Orissa Jamat. He has solitarily taken pains to keep
vibrant the Masjid at Rahama, the Abdulla
Kaderdina Wakf Estate, the Madrassa Islamia of
Cuttack and several other institutions.

Cutchi Memon Jamat, Kolkata

The arrival of Cutchi Memons in Calcutta (now
known as Kolkata) dates back to 1840, and was

61

necessitated by their need to feed and foster their
trade with Burma (now Myanmar), Java, Singapore,
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Mauritius where they were
established in business since the early thirties of
the eighteenth century. During the whole of the
eighteenth century and until the early nineteenth,
Cutchi Memons reigned supreme as importers and
exporters of general merchandise to and from
Burma (Myanmar), Java, Singapore, Ceylon (Sri
Lanka) and Mauritius. In their sphere of trade and
commerce, they were without any parallel, and
were important in local and overseas markets. In
some commodities, they were considered "kings",
especially in imported rice and sugar. They
established great business concerns, and ensured
that their name and fame was known well in
foreign markets. They were fully trusted in all their
business dealings.

As we are all aware, Cutchi Memons originated in

62

Cutch in Western India, and were full-blooded
Indians. They were converts from Hinduism, and
carried the same business acumen and trading
mentality as the Hindu Lohanas, their "source"
stock.

Cutchi Memons were called "Nakhodas", the
seafarers. A story exists of a Cutchi Memon
captain and his schooner (sailing ship). The ship
was full of intended Hajj pilgrims going to Jeddah.
A storm struck the seas, and the passengers were
alarmed. They begged the captain to save them.
The captain replied that he was a "Na-Khuda"
meaning "not God", and asked them to pray to
Allah for succor. From that time, Cutchi Memon
captains came to be known as "Nakhodas".

The great Muslim saint, Syed Ahmed Shahbuddin
Jeelani Qadri in approximately 731 hijri, converted

63

Cutchi Memons to Islam. History says that the
saint called the new converts "Momins" (the
blessed ones); this term was later changed to
"Memons", and has remained so to this day.

In Calcutta, Cutchi Memons kept up their
ascendancy in business and trade right until the
early nineteenth century. As "every ascent has a
decent", Cutchi Memons took a gradual steep fall.
Now, only a few business houses have retained the
remnants of their old name and fame, a mere
shadow of the original.

Good deeds proclaim past glory and splendor even
after people depart this earth. True to their being
the "blessed people", Cutchi Memons did many
great deeds in Calcutta during their heyday. They
built the great Nakhoda Masjid at Zakaria Street at
a cost of Rupees Fifteen Lakhs in the year 1934.
This great and imposing edifice is now over

64

crores. It is located in the nerve center of
Calcutta’s Muslim locality, and presents a splendid
spectacle at festivals such as Eids, Fridays, and
during the holy month of Ramadan. It is the
biggest mosque not only in West Bengal but also
in the whole of Eastern India. A committee
manned wholly by the members of the Cutchi
Memon Jamat manages it.

The other landmark is the Cutchi Memon Jamat
kabrastan (cemetery) at Upper Circular Road,
which is open for burial of both Cutchi Memons
and other Muslims subject to trustees' permission.

Cutchi Memons lived upto their tile "Memons - the
blessed ones" wherever they went. Masjids,
madrassas, musafirkhanas, cemeteries scattered
all over proclaim from housetops the acts of
philanthropists. However, their fall was due to
several reasons, the main one being the

65

unfortunate partition the country in 1947 into
India and Pakistan. This resulted in the
compulsory migration of great many Cutchi
Memons to Pakistan. Those that have remained
behind in India have only to play their part in the
reconstruction of their motherland, and have to
contribute their mite towards greater prosperity of
the community in particular and the country at large.

Cutchi Memon Jamat, Mysore

Jama Masjid, Mysore

66

The origins of Cutchi Memons of Mysore City are
not entirely known. It is believed that a century or
so ago some Cutchi Memon families migrated to
Mysore city from Bangalore, and started involving
themselves in business and agriculture. They
cultivated paddy fields, which they acquired on
lease. There were twelve families initially; five
more followed from Bangalore, Nilgiris, Cochin
and Bombay. Division among these families has
resulted in forty sub-families. Most Cutchi
Memons of Mysore speak Urdu at home; only a
few families have retained Cutchi as their mother
tongue. They are well educated. "Purdah" was
observed strictly in some families. Most Cutchi
Memons in Mysore City are found to be in
business: furniture hire and sale, optical goods,
real estate, electrical appliances, carets and
furnishings, textiles, etc. There are engineers,
computer professionals, etc. Some have migrated

67

to distant lands.

Prominent Cutchi Memons of Mysore City loved
and respected by their fellow Cutchi Memons for
their business prosperity and social work and who
departed this earth during the last 40 years, were
Saleh Mohammed Ismail, Jan Mohammed Ebrahim,
Fakir Mohammed, Elyas Ebrahim, Ebrahim Abdulla,
Hassan Abdul Rahman, Mohammed Abba Sait,
Aboobakar Ismail, Sattar Abba Sait and
Mohammed Khasim Abdulla Sait. Mention must
also be made of two important Cutchi Memons:
Janab Mohammed Abba Sait and Janab Abdul
Sattar Abba Sait. They were great social workers
who rendered yeoman service to the community,
specially the poor and needy. Janab Mohammed
Abba Sait was a Municipal Councillor, and
obtained a big plot of land in the busy area of
Ashoka Road (Mysore-Bangalore highway) for
Muslims of Mysore City to celebrate the birthday

68

of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). This is called
Meelad Bagh where a huge congregation gathers
every year on the occasion of Meelad-e-Nabi. An
important road is also named after Janab
Mohammed Abba Sait. He expired in 1967 at the
age of 85 years after a life full of social service to
the community.

Janab Sattar Abba Sait was responsible for
founding orphanages for Muslim boys and girls,
and was the President of the institutions for
several years. He was also the President of several
masjids in the city. He expired in 1981 at the age
of 90 years. Janab Azeez Sait, a leading member
of the Abba family, has followed in his father's
footsteps, and has built an image of his own in the
minds of Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He
started as a labor leader of beedi workers, and
struggled for their benefit. His popularity took him
to politics, and ultimately he became a cabinet

69

minister in the Karnataka government. He had
held several important portfolios such as
Transport and Tourism, Wakfs, Industries and
Commerce under several Chief Ministers. He
was a Member of the Indian Parliament for a full
term. A new extension in the City has been named
"Azeez Sait Nagar", where the needy and deserving
as well as member of the laboring sections of
society live.

Mrs. Saira Mohammed, daughter of late
Mohammed Abba Sait who conducts a craft
institute for Muslims women had been a Municipal
Councilor.

The following Cutchi Memons were long time
residents of Mysore city but left it to migrate to
other places:
Janab Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait, MP, to Ernakulam in
Kerala

70

Malik Sait, son of late Sattar Abba Sait to Karachi,
Pakistan
Mohammed Ishaq, son of Abubaker Khasim, to
Cochin in Kerala
Mohammed Saleem, son of late Saleh Mohammed
Ismail to Bangalore
Mohammed Younus, son of Aboobakar Khasim to
Bangalore
Khalid Hassan, son of Hassan Abdul Rahman, to
Bangalore

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS:

About 20 Cutchi Memon families have moderate
source of income, and their standard of living is
fair. Others can be said to be in the middle class,
and live a happy and contented life. No family is
dependent on charity. So far, 26 families
including women have performed Hajj.(1993)

71

AFFAIRS OF THE JAMATH:

Until 1972, there was no regular body or
Managing Committee to look after the interests of
the Jamath members. In 1972, the need to
organize the Jamath was felt as the All India Cutchi
Memon Federation, which was being formed,
needed a Jamath for affiliation. Janab Azeez Sait
took the initiative, and convened some prominent
persons. A committee of eleven members was
formed, and a set of rules and regulations was
formulated in 1972. The first elected President
was Janab Sattar Abba Sait with Mohammed
Khasim as the Hon. Secretary. After the
President's demise in 1981, Janab Mohammed
Abid Saleh Mohammed was elected
Presdient. When the Hon. Secretary expired in
October 1982, Janab Hajee Yousuf Elyas was
elected in his place but he held office for a brief
period of time.

72

Unfortunately, the Jamath had no building, no
Jamath Khana, trusts or any other asset;
consequently, there was no source of
income. Only activity during 1972-1982 was to
raise funds to undertake construction of a
shopping complex for the Cutchi Memon
Masjid. The dilapidated shops fetched low
rents. Funds were collected from Cutchi Memons
in Bangalore, Nilgiris. Bombay, etc., for the
shopping complex. This complex was completed
in 1980 at a cost of Rs. Three Lakhs. This is a
valuable asset for the Masjid, and is the main
source of meeting all of its expenses.

The Cutchi Memons of Mysore are proud of the
following contributions:

1. Outpatient dispensary attached to the
Government K.R. Hospital, Mysore. It was built in
1927 by late Hajee Sir Ismail Sait of Bangalore to

73

commemorate the Golden Jubilee celebrations of
the then Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Krishnaraja
Wodiyar.

2. Cutchi Memon Masjid. Hajee Sir Ismail Sait of
Bangalore built this in the year 1939. On his
demise, he was buried in the open space adjoining
the masjid's main prayer hall. His family does not
exist now. Hajee Sir Ismail Sait of Bangalore also
gifted two buildings and a vacant site to the
Masjid. This Masjid, located in the heart of the
city at Ashoka Road, can accommodate about 650
worshippers. Many improvements have been
made but the main hall has been left
untouched. This Masjid is being managed by a
Board comprising of five Cutchi Memons under a
scheme framed by the District Judge in
1942. Many prominent Cutchi Memons of Mysore
have been nominated to the Board from time to

74

time; notable among them were Hajee Saleh
Mohammed Ismail, Elyas Ebrahim, Ibrahim
Sulaiman Sait, MP, Mohammed Saleem Hajee Saleh
Mohammed, Hassan Abdul Rahman, Aboobakar
Ismail, Sattar Abba Sait, Yousuf Elyas, Ali
Mohammed Ismail, and Khasim Abdulla. The
following had been Board members.

1. Hajee Mohsin Abdul Kareem (President)
2. Mohammed Azam (Hon. Secretary)
3. Mahmood Hassan
4. Abdul Khader, and
5. Sulaiman Gul Mohammed.

The Masjid's expenses are met from the rents of
its properties. The total value of the buildings
exceeds Rs. 35 Lakhs.

3. Khasim Sarai. This is located at Ashoka Road,
and was built 75 years ago by Late Rasoo Bai, wife

75

of late Elyas Haji Khasim Sait. She dedicated it to
the memory of her father-in-law, Ladda Khasim
Sait. It was used as a lodge. Marriages of Jamath
members were held there until 1955. After that
year, it has not been used, and remains locked. It
is under the control of Janab Hajee Abdulla Sait of
Bangalore, who is the donor's successor. (Present
condition is not known)

Cutchi Memon Jamat,
Satara

Begum Masjid
Satara
Satara is located in Maharashtra State in Western
India, and has about 150 Cutchi Memons from 22

76

Cutchi Memon families. Although Cutchi Memons
migrated to Satara from various parts of India as
traders and merchants over the span of a century,
it is only during the last five decades that the
Cutchi Memon population has increased
dramatically.

When the need for a Jamat was felt, Kasam Umer
Kacchi (Galaria), Abdul Gaffar, Ishaque Kacchi
(Isani), Mohammed Memon invited all members of
the 22 families to a meeting to discuss its
formation, This meeting was held on October 19,
1992, and was a great success. All Cutchi Memons
present at the meeting decided to form a Jamat,
and to elect a Managing Committee. This proved
that there was unity among Cutchi Memons of
Satara, and great love among the brethren. The
following members were elected unopposed to the
Managing Committee:

77

President:
Abdul Gani Siddique Kacchi (Dewani)
Vice President:
Abdul Gaffar Ishaque Kacchi (Isani)
Treasurer:
Haroon Mohammed Memon
Secretary:
Irfan Kasam Kacchi (Galaria)
Managing Director:
Raffique Haji Abdul Rehman Kacchi (Dewani)

Committee Members:

Meher Ahmed Ramjoo
Abdul Sattar Siddique Kacchi (Dewani)
Salim Razzak Memon
Mohamed Husain Abdul Gani Kacchi (Dewani)
Salim A. Gaffar Kacchi (Isani)
Salim Haji
Abdul Rehman Kacchi (Dewani)

78

Iqbal Abdul Shakoor Kacchi (Naskani).

The aims and objects of the Jamat are to
encourage, promote and foster feelings of
brotherhood, unity and concord among our
brethren, and to strive for the upliftment of Cutchi
Memons in the religious, educational, social,
economical, cultural and other areas so as to bring
about a speedier progress of the community. The
Jamat has planned several activities for the future
such as constructing a Jamatkhana, offering
scholarships to successful students, loans to
needy on a not-for-profit basis, etc. Insha Allah,
all these activities will soon come to fruition. We
praise Allah for the prosperity and unity of Cutchi
Memons of Satara.

(Information current upto 1992)

79

Cutchi Memon Jamat, Secunderabad

Spanish Mosque, Hyderabad

The origin of the Cutchi Memon Jamat Andhra
Pradesh, Secunderabad, can be traced back to
almost the same period when forefathers
migrated from Cutch with a desire to improve
their lives, expand their businesses, and settle
down in various parts of the country. Those
Cutchi Memons that came to the former princely
state of Hyderabad preferred to settle down in
Secunderabad, a cantonment area inhabited

80

mainly by British civilians and army personnel
and a place suitable for their business activities.

With Faith, Simplicity, Hard Work, Good
Character and Truthfulness as their basic
principles of life, Cutchi Memons expressed a
desire to live together in an organized society.
This led to the formation of their "association",
their Jamat. In fact, wherever Cutchi Memons
settled down, they invariably got toget-her to
form "Jamats" which was one of the greatest
contributions of forefathers to the Cutchi
Memon fraternity. This established the
foundation of an organization based on the
principles of Unity and Brotherhood, ideals so
very essential for the social, cultural and
economic progress and prosperity of any
society.

81

The Jamat started deteriorating in the late
Thirties. In 1936, a few prominent persons met
for deliberations, and felt the need for re-
organizing the Jamat to conform to the
changing times. A committee was formed to
frame rules and regulations so that the Jamat
would function in a democra-tic manner. The
year, 1936, is important for the Jamat when it
saw the introduction of a written constitution.
On September 29, 1939, a Managing Committee
under the Presidentship of Janab Shaik Adam
Haji Mohammed Essack Sait was elected.
Thereafter, it has functioned with a Managing
committee and a President at the helm of
affairs.

At this time, the need for a Jamatkhana was felt.
The former Jamatkhana at Kazigalli was
demolished under the Cantonment Improvement

82

Plan, leaving the committee members with no
place to meet, and for members to organize
their social and cultural events. Janab Abdul
Sattar Abdul Khader Sait, the then President of
the Jamat, helped purchase a plot of land near
the Masjid-e-Nallagutta, and constructed a
Shadi Khana for the benefit of Cutchi Memons of
Secunderabad. This Jamat owes this and many
other noble deeds and philanthropic works to
Janab Abdul Sattar Abdul Khader Sait. May his
soul rest in peace.

In 1965, the then Managing Committee decided
to rewrite the Jamat's constitution. Accordingly,
a redrafted constitution was introduced before
members in 1966. It was further amended in
1970. It was again rewritten in 1986 in view of
changing circumstances. Income from the

83

Jamat's property has been showing steady
improvement. This property consists of Shadi
Khana, one house and fourteen Mulgies.

Some other activities of the Jamat are:

1. Registration of the Jamat under the Societies
Act, and extending the jurisdiction of its
activities to the entire sate of Andhra Pradesh,
2. Holding Prize Distribution functions for
greater cohesion of the community members.
3. Arabic School (evenings).
4. Financial Aid: This is an educational
assistance program. Rs. 21,000 is being
sanctioned every year towards grant of fees to
school and college students of the Jamat. A sub-
committee is constituted to supervise this work.
5. Aid to Widows and Destitutes: A sum of Rs.

84

21,000 is being given to widows and destitutes
of the Jamat every year. May Allah Paak accept
this gesture and give maghfirat to all.
6. Grant of Business Loans: The Jamat has
sanctioned loans to members since 1984 for
starting new business or expanding existing
business. A sum of Rs.1, 64, 000 has been
sanctioned so far. A revolving budget of Rs.
40,000 was sanctioned.
(Information current upto 1993)

Cutchi Maimon Society, Mauritius

Mauritius is an oceanic island of volcanic origin
situated in the South Indian Ocean just north of
the Tropic of Capricorn and about 1400 miles
from the east coast of Africa. It was commonly
referred to as an East African Island but it has
been established beyond doubt that it does not

85

form part of Africa as its flora and fauna are
unique, bearing no similarities to those obtaining
in Africa.

The eminent Abba de la Caille carried out the first
triangulation of the island in 1753. He triangulated
about 80 of the chief points of the island, and
determined so exactly its latitude and longitude
that modern day aerial and other surveys will not
modify the bearings in any appreciable degree.

86

The exact time of the discovery of Mauritius is not
recorded but it is certain that the Arabs knew it
since the earliest times as it appears on their maps
of the Indian Ocean under the name "Dina Arabi".

The first Europeans to set eyes on Mauritius were
the Portuguese, who discovered the islands of
Reunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues between 1509
and 1512. These islands were termed the
Mascarenhas Islands, and were so named after
don Pedro Mascarenhas, who visited Mauritius in
1512. Later, it was named as "Cirne" after one of
the ships' name or after swans, which the
explorers thought, were some extinct birds.

These early travelers brought with them various
domestic animals, planted many fruit trees, and
used the island as a revitalizing station en route
from the Cape of Good Hope to India.

87

As the Portuguese did not permanently settle in
the island, the Dutch Admiral Van Warwyck was
able to take possession of the island in 1589. He
named it Mauritius in honor of Count Maurice of
Nassau, the then Stadtholder of Holland.

Forty-nine years later, the Dutch established a
settlement at Old Grand Port where they left only a
few old and disabled soldiers to guard over the
fort they built. In 1710, the Dutch finally
abandoned the settlement after having stripped
the island of its ebony and other plants that were
commercially exploitable.

For five years, the Europeans, who sailed the
Indian Ocean for the gold of India and the spices
of the Straits Settlements, forgot Mauritius. On
September 20, 1715, Mr. Dufresne, captain of the

88

French vessel, "Chasseur" cast anchors at Port
South-East, and took possession of the island,
naming it "Isle de France".

The coming of the French opened a new chapter in
the history of Mauritius. The French did not see
the island as a mere calling station on their way to
India. They wanted to make it their base for their
operations against the English in India. They
planned to colonize and develop the island. This
gigantic task was entrusted to Mahe de
Labourdonnais, an energetic and enterprising
governor, who arrived in June 1735. Under his
command, Port South-East was improved and Port
Louis founded. He had roads constructed, and
barracks, docks, arsenal and hospitals built in a
span of eleven years. The colony acquired great
importance, which was retained until the opening
of the Suez Canal in1869.

89

In 1810, the English captured the island, and
renamed it Mauritius. The Treaty of Paris of 1814
affirmed the English as possessors of the island.
In 1852, Mauritius came out of its forced isolation
with the inauguration of a steam ship service. This
service was most beneficial to the island, as it
promoted its interests around the world and
facilitating communication with other parts of the
globe.

It was at this time that Cutchi Memons traveled to
Mauritius from India. They banded together, and
the first task they undertook was to build a small
masjid, naming it "Mosque de Arabes". Prior to
this, one Mr. Ismail Jeeva son of Haji Hafeez Jeeva,
conducted prayers on a plot of land that was
purchased for Rs. 6800/. This land was donated to
the Muslims of the island.

90

As years went by, Cutchi Memons and other
Muslims prospered in trade of grains, and in
import and export. When our people increased in
numbers, they felt that the small masjid no longer
served their needs, and they purchased adjoining
lands to construct a bigger masjid. A new masjid
was opened in 1877

Prominent among Cutchi Memons for taking a
keen interest in the affairs of the masjid was Janab
Hajee Joonas Allarakhia. He came to Mauritius in
19850, and within two years became affluent
enough to be s guiding spirit for masjid. He placed
his ships at the disposal of the masjid for
transporting construction material from India, and
was instrumental in laying the foundation for the
masjid's extension.

Another prominent person was Janab Noor
Mahammad Oosman, who the Cutchi Memons

91

were grateful for many reasons. He was born in
Calcutta and came to Mauritius in 1902, and
founded a business in grains, "N.M.Oosman & Co."
He became the President of the masjid in 1924. He
expired in Port Louis in 1934. His son, Abdul
Sattar Noor Mohammed, looked after the business
from then on.

In 1953, Sir Abdul Razzak Mohammed, Mayor of
Port Louis, became the President of the Masjid. He
took keen interest in the affairs of Cutchi Memons,
not only in Mauritius but also in India, where he
was born.

Mr. Ebrahim Dawood, a prominent Cutchi Memon,
who had his roots in Calcutta, was Vice President
of the Masjid from 1953 to 1961.

Cutchi Memons of Mauritius have joined together
as a Jamat under the name, Mauritius Cutchi
Maiman Society". This organization looks after the

92

social, economic and other welfare activities of the
community.

Panjo Cutchi Rasodo

Naseema Bai
HALEEM
Haleem is a curried porridge made of different
types of meat, grains and pulses. They are usually
prepared during Ramadan for iftar (breaking the
fast.)

93

Ingredients:
Boneless mutton, chicken, duck, rabbit either
alone or a combination of two or more meats
(avoid beef as that affects the taste. However calf
meat or veal can be used alone. ------ 1 Kg

Mutton bones about 500-750 grams

Broken wheat, 1/2 cup barley, millet, rice together
½ cup all washed three or four times in cold water;
Alternatively broken wheat 1 cup, Bengal gram,
black gram, green gram, horsegram, toor dhall,

94

masoor dall all split and deskinned and washed
three or four times in cold water. 1 or 2 table
spoon each

Yogurt (slightly sour is preferred) 2 cups
Green chillis, ginger, garlic ground to a paste 2
tablespoon each.
Black pepper 10-12 corns, crushed in a mortar
Cloves 10-12 cloves
Cinnamon one 2‖ piece
Cardamom 6 pods
Caraway seeds (Shahi jeera), black cumin seeds,
cumin seeds, sonf 1 teaspoon each
One lime cut into 4 or 6 wedges
Salt to taste
Green mint leaves (Pudina) and coriander leaves
15 to 20 sprigs each
Ghee ½ cup
Small onions, deskilled and cut into small pieces
100 gms

95

Spring Onions 250 gms

The Process

Soak the broken wheat in 4 cups of water for 3-4
hours. Soak all the dals separately in 4 cups of
water for 3-4 hours. Drain the water.
Boil the mutton bones on low heat in 2 litres of
water until the stock available is 800 ml to 1 litre
This would take about 30 to 45 minutes. Drain
and cool the stock. Keep aside
Mix mutton, yogurt and salt in a bowl and set
aside to marinate for 30 minutes..
Put the broken wheat, grains and the dals in a
deep pan, mix well and cook until tender.

Add a little water if required. Add the marinated
mutton and mix well. Add all other ingredients
other than spring onions, green mint and
coriander leaves.

96

Add mutton stock and mix well with a ladel. Add
mint leaves and half the coriander leaves.
Mix well, cover the pot with a lid and cook for 45
minutes.

Fry the chopped spring onions in a pan.
Uncover and remove the mutton cubes with a
perforated ladle , Keep aside

Blend the remainder well with a hand blender or a
ladle while still on the stove but on low heat until
you get a batter like consistency. Add ghee and
keep stirring so that the mixture does not stick or
burn in the pot. It will give a bad taste it allowed
to burn. Add the mutton cubes and half the fried
onions and mix well. Serve hot garnished with the
remaining fried onions and lime wedges and
coriander leaves.

97

For added taste you can add 2 table spoons of
ground paste of almonds, cashew nuts, coconut or
ground nuts. But this is not part of Kutchi recipe.
DAR GOST

Meat with lentils is traditional Cutchi preparation.
Like Haleem it is protein rich. It is a good
combination with Bajare ji rotli, though it also
goes well with any other kind of roti (maani in

98

Cutchi) Parattha and rice

Making Dar Gost is as simple as making Khichdi.

Ingredients:

Cubed Mutton or beef or veal 500 gms
Tur dal ¼ cup
Masoor dal ¼ Cup
Chana dal ½ cup
Cooking Oil 1 cup
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Green chilli 4 Slit into two
Garlic paste 1 tblsp or 10-12 pearls
Ginger paste ½ tblsp or 2‖ piece finely chopped
Onion chopped ½ cup
Tomato finely chopped ½ cup
Salt to taste
Red chilli powder 2 or 3 tsp according to the need
Coriander powder, 2 tsp

99