Wazir Ghulam Hussain Mohammad Ali Dharas

Period: (1903-1973)

Devji, the son of Lalji was a native of Junagadh, India. He was an eminent wool merchant, having immense devotion in social services. According to the available information, Devji is said to have joined the Ismaili caravan in Bhuj, Kutchh headed by a certain Dharamsi Punjuani which was bound for Iran for the didar of Imam Shah Khalilullah (1792-1817) in Yazd at the beginning of 1817. They started from the port of Mandavi, Kutchh and boarded for Muscat and landed at Port Abbas, and reached Yazd on camels. Yazd is situated between Isfahan and Kirman on the route leading to Baluchistan.

It was a tradition prevalent in India to bestow the title of daras or dharas (to behold) to one who beheld the Imam in Iran. The term dharas had been also mentioned in the letters of Imam Shah Khalilullah addressed to the Bhavnagar jamat on May 23, 1792. In one another letter of July, 1794, the same title is used for the jamats of Sind, Kutchh and other places. Thus, Devji became known as Devji Dharas. We must recall on this juncture that the honouring of the title, dharas continued in India till 1842 when Imam Hasan Ali Shah arrived in India. The practice of visiting Iran to see the Imam virtually came to an end, since the Imam henceforth resided in India amongst the followers, therefore, the traditional title dharas was replaced by the title of darvesh, both stood equal in rank. It sounds that the title, darvesh or dharas were not liked to the followers, it had to be withdrawn. On September 1, 1885, Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said in Bombay that, “We vested the title of darvesh to the jamats in past, but some did not like the title of darvesh, and for this special reason, we withdrew the title of darvesh.” It is nevertheless learnt that the Imam granted the title of darvesh to the Mukhi of Bukoba Jamatkhana in Uganda on March 16, 1937. It is worthwhile to note that the title dharas continued in the family of Devji till now, which is a unique example in the Ismaili world.

It is related that Devji Dharas had been in Bhuj, Kutchh on his business trip in 1819. On June 16, 1819, an earthquake of uncommon severity for more than two minutes, rocked the whole western India, the force of which most violently affected Kutchh. In Bhuj, nearly 7000 houses were shattered and 1150 people buried alive in the ruins within minutes. Devji Dharas fortunately survived, but lost his merchandise loaded on camels. He did not run away from the affected field. He and his four servants rescued lives of many Ismailis and non-Ismailis, and provided them relief aids what were available to them. Indeed, it was zeal to serve mankind, a natural gift whose legacy continued in his family.

The son of Devji Dharas was Ali, and whose son Mohammad followed footsteps of his forefather, and left behind two sons, Hasham and Ghulam Hussain and a daughter, Jetbai.

Ghulam Hussain was born in 1903, where he took secondary education. He migrated to Zanzibar in 1924. He started his business in Pemba in 1925. He also carried on his business in Zanzibar in 1949 and in Dar-es-Salaam in 1953. In 1955, he came in Mtwara, where he conducted his mercantile business.

It is to be noted that Tanzania formerly was known as United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, covering an area of 364,943 square miles. It was a German colony from 1891 to 1919, and then the Britain occupied it soon after the first world war (1914-1919). Tanganyika liberated on December 9, 1961, but its name, Tanzania was adopted on October 29, 1964. It is divided into 21 administrative regions.

Ghulam Hussain was a devoted and a dedicated worker since childhood. It appears from early records that he survived hardship before his business became a success. Regardless of the obstacles, he carved out his own career. The intelligence with which he was gifted enabled him to surmount all his adversaries. His iron will and determination helped in surmounting difficulties and put him on the road to steady progress. Soon after establishment of his business, it appears that he began to take active role in different institutions.

It must be noted that the car of Missionary Shahid Khuda Baksh (1890-1925) skidded into a trench while going from Kilosa to Iringa on December 12, 1925. It cost the lives of three passengers, viz. Missionary Khuda Baksh, Lalji Ladha Punjani and Varas Mukhi Karam Ali. Kanji Nanji, the President of the Ismaili Council for Tanganyika declared a donation scheme for the welfare of the children of Missionary Khuda Baksh. Wazir Ghulam Hussain is reported to have joined in the campaign, and shared not only a princely amount, but also generated donations in Pemba, Iringa, Kilosa, Mtwara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Lindi, etc.

Princess Mlle Theressa Maghlioni (1889-1926), the second wife of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah expired on December 2, 1926 in Paris. The Council resolved to observe a mourning for a month in Tanganyika, and appointed Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas to inform the Ismaili merchants to close their business transactions on that day, which he did as the Imam’s courier.

The Golden Jubilee was celebrated in Nairobi on March 1, 1937. The Supreme Council for Africa had launched the All Africa Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, comprised of 18 members, which also formed an Executive Committee of 6 members to raise donation and administer the programme. Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas extended his full cooperation to the Executive Committee in southern Tanzania and other regions during the campaign. He also joined in the arrangement of sending the Ismaili families in Nairobi from different villages.

The year 1937 marks as a revolutionary time for the Ismailis, in economic field. During this time, the main was the project of the Jubilee Insurance Co. Ltd., which took its birth from the historic occasion of the Golden Jubilee. The Ismailis never ventured into the field of Insurance business. The Imam emphasized to the leaders to come forward. On February 20, 1937, Imam Sultan Muhammed Shah said to the leaders in Dar-es-Salaam that, “I will make insurance of my estates and houses provided you establish an Insurance Company. I will give you a business of over 40,000 shillings. You then get insurance policies from the affluent class, then you start life insurance policies, which will be profitable to you.” The Imam talked with the leaders for 30 minutes before finalizing the project. After the end of 30 minutes, the Imam summoned them and said, “Who will take responsibilities as the Directors of Insurance Company? I will give insurance of my all houses when you are ready for it. I am now an old, and no company will take risk of my life policy, but I will give insurance of Prince Aly Khan and Prince Sadruddin. You start life policy after some time, and make its head office in Mombasa.” Then, the Imam declared names of seven Directors.

The importance of Insurance Company and its role in the economic building were propagated through different channels in Africa. The initial honour however must go to Pir Sabzali (1884-1938) who, at the command of the Imam, took upon himself the onerous task of enlisting the new company’s shareholders as well as business, and he travelled widely in Africa. Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas voluntarily joined the campaign of Pir Sabzali in southern Tanzania in acquiring business for the company. Pir Sabzali visited Pemba-Wete on May 10, 1938, where he stayed for five days. Wazir Ghulam Hussain arranged to sell over 2000 shares in Pemba in one day. Pir Sabzali raised a capital of 2 million shillings and also brought the insurance business for about 20 million shillings in Africa with the help of veteran leaders, notably Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas, and others.

Pir Sabzali, the Special Commissioner of the Imam launched his third trip in Africa on January 5, 1937, where he stayed for 23 months. Wazir Ghulam Hussain arranged his lodging and remained at his service during his tour in Pemba. Wazir Ghulam Hussain gave him a princely reception. Reinforced with the kindness of Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas, Pir Sabzali made successful trips in the villages. Pir Sabzali admired Wazir Ghulam Hussain’s services and hospitality in a letter from Dar-es-Salaam on August 6, 1938. His letter was a true reflection of his feeling. Pir Sabzali referred to him as his brother in the letter, expressing his deep gratitude for his exceptional hospitality, and also wished to see him again.

Wazir Ghulam Hussain was appointed the President of the Ismailia Provincial Council for Pemba-Wete (1937-1948) during Imam Sultan Muhammed Shah’s visit to Dar-es-Salaam on February 15, 1937. Its jurisdiction covered the towns like Ziwani, Masuka, Matamba, etc. Pemba is an island in Indian ocean off north-east coast of Tanzania, having an area of 379 sq.miles. Its capital is Wete, which is included with island of Zanzibar. He was also the President of the Ismailia Provincial Council for Zanzibar (1948-1949), covering the towns of Pemba Chake-Chake, Mkokotoni, Mangafwani, Membe-Miwili, Chawke, etc. He was also the member of the Ismailia Supreme Council for East Africa (1949-1951) out of 26 members.

He also attended the second East African Muslim Conference held in the Muslim Hall, Mombasa. It was sponsored by East African Muslim Welfare Society on July 27 and July 28, 1948. This historic Conference was presided by Imam Sultan Muhammed Shah.

Prince Aly Khan rendered inestimable military services to the Allies during the first world war (1914-1919). He established “Grand Victory War Fete” at Nairobi 4th and 5th March, 1943 for generating war funds- a record taking for any fete ever held in East Africa. Rai A.M. Sadruddin (1906-1980) was commissioned to propagate the scheme as the Chief Publicity Officer. Sir Henry Moore, the governor of Kenya performed its opening ceremony on March 4, 1943 in presence of a concourse of people. Besides, its prominent patrons were Lady Moore, General Sir William Platt, E.A. Command, Admiral Sir James Somerville and Air Vice-Marshal H.S. Kerby. It was a fair for enjoyment of children with 64 stalls of games of every description, including arts and craft exhibition, manned by 240 Ismaili workers. Dr. Hasanali E. Nathoo was its Chief Organizer. Hazar Imam and Prince Amyn Mohammad, who had been in Nairobi since May 27, 1941 also visited the fair with their governess Miss Dorris Lyon. Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas not only shared his services in the fair, but also purchased 501 tickets in advance.

He also acted a Private Secretary of Prince Aly Khan during his visit to Mtwara, Tanzania in 1956. He also joined in the hunting expedition of Prince Aly Khan in the jungles around Mtwara.

In 1956, he reverently sent a sample of “My Flag”- the Ismaili banner to Imam Sultan Muhammed Shah. On April 28, 1956, the Imam showered his best loving blessings through a message and hoped that his beloved spiritual children would always keep it rising and flying with devoted spirit and faith.

He delegated the African jamat during the burial ceremony of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah in Aswan in 1957. His team started their tour from Dar-es-Salaam on July 14, 1957 with eminent leaders, including Sir Edward Francis Twining, the governor of Tanganyika between 1949 and 1958, who represented the royal family of Queen of England.

The Imam visited Mtwara for the first time after assuming Imamate on November 27, 1957 during the period of Mukhi Alibhai Shamji and Kamadia Hasan Ali Rawjee. Mtwara is an administrative region of south-east Tanzania, having an area of 31881 sq.miles. Wazir Ghulam Hussain had taken up the entire administration with his son, Alijah Sadruddin Dharas. The Imam performed the religious ceremonies inside the Aswan Building of M/S Dharas Ltd., and blessed Wazir Ghulam Hussain with best loving blessings.

Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas was also well-versed and he was also well liked by the elders. He was never impulsive or arrogant and was always well-mannered towards those of comparatively humble degree. One of the obstacles in the community progress of the villages was the question of funds. Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas found the solution, and destitute members of the community received generous help through him, while his own family knew nothing. He was a generous donor for numerous causes. He continued his donations to the Foundling Home in Dar-es-Salaam. His diligent work for the welfare of Ismailis produced astounding results. In Africa, the community ran mobile dispensaries as well as maternity homes and clinics in villages. He arranged for their lodging and extended his assistance to them.

Unfortunately, one of the greatest social heroes in the Dharas family expired in a road accident when he was going to Mombasa from Dar-es-Salaam by bus. According to the report, the bus broke down on the way. Fate decreed that should wait for another bus of the same line with others. Before another bus could come, his own bus collided with a truck He got a ride of a car, which was going to Tanga, which is on the way to Mombasa. Before he could get into the car, which was parked at the distance of 200 meters from the front of the bus, a piece of iron rod accidentally gushed out underneath the bus and speedily flew to the distance of 200 meters, and it hit the left side of his forehead, which proved fatal. He received serious injuries, and was taken to the Pangani Hospital, where he expired on September 12, 1973 at 6.00 a.m. He was buried at Tanga on September 14, 1973. His life bridged a long span of 70 years. Compassionate he was, cherishing the poor, just in all his dealings, a jewel of generosity, his heart an ocean of kindness. His personality was clothed in his transparent sincerity. It was his oft-spoken words, “Render service as much as you are able, and be ever ready to dispel the affliction of your brothers. The best days of man’s life are those in which he renders service.” He came from a family that had a s special aptitude for community services.

Mention must be made of Jenabai, the wife of Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas. She was the daughter of Hasham Lakha Dossani Junagadhwala, and was born on December 13, 1906. Wazir Ghulam Hussain Dharas married her in 1920, and brought her in Africa. In 1925, she also moved to Pemba with her husband, where her first child, called Kulsoom was born in 1926. She was a devoted woman and took active role with her husband in all community services as a partner. She served as the Mukhiani of Pemba Jamatkhana, and took leading part in the Women Committee as a member and Chairperson. She breathed her last at the age of 61 years in the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam in 1967.

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Devji, the son of Lalji was a native of Junagadh, India. He was an eminent wool merchant, having immense devotion in social services. According to the available information, Devji is said to have joined the Ismaili caravan in Bhuj, Kutchh headed by a certain Dharamsi Punjuani which was bound for Iran for the didar of Imam Shah Khalilullah (1792-1817) in Yazd at the beginning of 1817. They started from the port of Mandavi, Kutchh and boarded for Muscat and landed at Port Abbas, and reached Yazd on camels. Yazd is situated between Isfahan and Kirman on the route leading to Baluchistan.

Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali is an popular Ismaili Scholar, He has written biography of ismaili heroes such as Wazir Ghulam Hussain Mohammad Ali Dharas in 101 Ismaili Heroes.

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