Varas Ismail Gangji

August 26th, 2005

By Ibrahim Machiwala

Period: (1788-1883)

Gangji, the father of Ismail was one of the famous and dedicated social workers in Junagadh jamat. He had never gone to school, his family members called him gang i.e., unlettered, and became known as Gangji, making his original name disappeared in the records. He was however a man of middle class. His son Ismail is supposed to have been born around 1788 and his fame soon reached incredible heights as the Varas of Junagadh.

Varas Ismail Gangji, crowning the towering name of the Hero of Kathiawar, was a petty spice trader on foot with a bag on his shoulder and wandered from one village to another and was a cheater to give less in weighing. He sold spices in place of the bales of cotton and disposed off in the market. He passed almost 25 years in this trade, which he started at the age of 6 to 7 years.

He was regular in the Jamatkhana, and would attend wherever he went for his sale. He acquired his religious education from Rai Rahmatullah of Bombay. Once he attended the Bantwa Jamatkhana and heard following stanza of the ginan:-

False thine scale and balance uneven,

Measures and weighs heavily counterfeit;

Gave away less and creature grabbed more,

And didnt care for his self.

He heard above verses attentively and gazed at the boy who recited. It moved him so much that he had tears in his eyes. He came to Mukhi Rai Rahmatullah with a firm determination not to cheat his customers and sought forgiveness of his sins. He approached his mother nervously, expecting to be scolded, and revealed his final decision. She spoke softly and uttered words of encouragement.

He heard above verses attentively and gazed at the boy who recited. It moved him so muchthat he had tears in his eyes. He came to Mukhi Rai Rahmatullah with a firm determination not to cheat his customers and sought forgiveness of his sins. He approached his mother nervously, expecting to be scolded, and revealed his final decision. She spoke softly and uttered words of encouragement.

The ancestors of the Nawabs of Junagadh have a long and glorious legacy of heroism through out the Mughal period. It was Sherkhan Babi, who after consolidating his foothold in Gujrat, assumed the fame of Bahadur Khan Babi and declared himself Nawab of Junagadh in 1748. His Highness Sir Mahabatkhan II Babi Bahadur (1851-1882) was the fifth in the lineal descent from Bahadur Khan I, the founder of the ruling house in Junagadh. His Highness Sir Mahabatkhan II was the 7th Nawab of Junagadh in order of succession. The Junagadh State was also known as the Sorath Sarkar.

Junagadh State was comprised of an area of 3193 sq. miles in those days. According to the census taken in 1871, the population of the State was 389021. The Ismailis in Junagadh State lived mostly in Junagadh city, and not in Verawal, Kutiyana, Mangrol or Wanthali. The Nawab in the Junagadh State was the final and absolute authority and the administration conducted under his direction by a Dewan assisted by heads of various State departments.

His father Gangji was an employee in the wardrobe (jamdarkhana) of Junagadh State. The wardrobe on those days had a wide testimonial of opulence and magnification of Nawab Shahi. Gold, rich gem stubbed ornaments and jewellery, valuable garments and clothes were stored in the wardrobe. Gangji was working as an assistant keeper of a certain Javerbhai. Varas Ismail Gangji also joined the wardrobe in 1819 as an ordinary worker without salary.

During the festivals and other occasions, the visitors brought gifts in the court for the Nawab in Junagadh. Lavish foods were served to the guests, resulting wastage of huge sugar, cinnamon, betel nuts, cardamom, etc. and these were scattered on the floor. The sweeper collected the stuff, but Varas Ismail disliked the wastage. He would sort out each item on the floor and store them on every occasion. When he had collected a fair amount, he delivered them to his supervisor, who was perplexed to see his honesty and loyalty. Very soon, he was made an assistant keeper of the wardrobe.

Once the wife of the Nawab lost her precious necklace. He found it and returned to the Nawaba. His honesty and loyalty were appreciated, causing the Nawab to promote him to a very elevated post. He was confided the Revenue Department and soon afterwards, he became the head of the departments of the Treasury and Mint in 1821.

Varas Ismail Gangji visited different villages and collected inestimable revenues. For the purpose of land revenue administration, the Junagadh State was divided into 12 districts with a total of 842 villages. He also took leading part in the welfare programmes of the State. It was he who initiated a plan to start a railway line in Junagadh. Eventually, the main railway line from Jetalsar to Verawal for the first time in Junagadh was begun and was opened for traffic in 1888 after his death. He was also appointed the head of the provisions and supplies of the State. Varas Ismail Gangji became a best model of an honesty in the Junagadh State.

Once he had to go outside the State to buy some valuable articles for Mr. Lint, the then political agent. He was given a letter of introduction, insisting all those concerned to treat him with honour due to a high official. The Nawab also gave him a piece of land in appreciation of his 50 years services in 1869. He was granted a land in the village of Anandpur, where he built quarters for the destitute. This is on the records of the Junagadh State, and the extract of the Document No. 11 reveals: You have been loyally serving us in person for the last fifty years. You have carried out all the responsible jobs entrusted to you with exemplary honesty, and unswerving loyalty. In the state purchases of jewellery for the Heir apparent, we have received huge saving almost a lac of rupees. Besides, you have executed all the orders of Queen Mother with respect, honour and love, and you have never abused the confidence or power vested in you. (This Document has been signed and sealed on the fourth day of Kartak (Vad) S.Y. 1925, or 1869 A.D.)

The Duke of Edinburg, the future king Edward VII (1901-1910), as Prince of Wales, visited India. The Rajas, Maharajas, Nawabs, Feudatory nobles from all parts of India gathered in Delhi in 1877, where the Prince of Wales was holding a darbar. The Nawab of Junagadh intended to be invited in the darbar. He told to Varas Ismail Gangji, who arranged his invitation through the influence of Imam Hasan Ali Shah. The Nawab of Junagadh was among the Indian Nawabs to be graced with the honour of the very first audience with the Prince of Wales

Imam Hasan Ali Shah hosted a royal banquet to the Duke of Edinburg and Edward VIII in 1877 at the Aga Hall, Bombay. The entertainment of the guests was consigned to Varas Ismail Gangji, who arranged for expert cooks from Ahmedabad, closely related to Wazir Alibhai Bhoora (1900-1996). Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898), Nawab Mohsin al-Mulk (1837-1907), Sir Nawab Mahabat Khan (1851-1882) and Hasan Ali Effendi (1830-1895) were the distinguished guests in the banquet. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah related the event in his The Memoirs of Aga Khan (New York, 1954, p. 35) in these words: When the Prince of Wales paid his state visit to India, he was entertained at Aga Hall by my grand-father, and commented with interest on the number of tiger skins displayed.

Imam Hasan Ali Shah visited Kathiawar in 1853. Varas Ismail also went for didar and served the jamats for three without any rest. In the same year, he also came to Bombay for didar in Wadi. The tradition has it that when Imam Hasan Ali Shah came down from his bungalow to grace an audience to the jamat, he saw Ismail Gangji at his first sight. He said in a burst of anger, “Ismail! you have bothered my son Ali Shah in Kathiawar. I know how you misbehaved with him. The Imam returned, without gracing didar - the jamat was confused and had tears in their eyes. Varas Ismail Gangji did not say anything, he just bowed his head in humility . On the second and third day, the same thing happened and the Imam rebuked him with severe words, but he spoke nothing. The perplexed jamat now began to talk that how wicked he was that they got no didar during last three days and the Imam went away in anger.

Despite mental agony, he worked hard and continued his duties unmindful of the disappointment, which had enveloped his heart. On fourth day, the Imam summoned him in audience in Wadi and said, “Ismail! I tried your faith harshly, but it proved unwavering like Mount Girnar. You possess an ocean of patience and the gravity of your tolerance is remarkable. With this sense of tolerance and patience, you are the right person to look after the welfare of our jamat, and now, you are the Wazir of whole Kathiawar. I am much happy with you and give you much blessings.” The tears trickled down from the eyes of Varas Ismail Gangji and he stood before the Imam with his head bowed servilely. Imam Hasan Ali Shah vested him the title of Wazir. He expressed his inability for the magnitude of the work that was assigned to this post. Imam Hasan Ali Shah said, “Ismail! you do not worry. You will handle the job with full responsibility. You will be guided in your work by my blessings and you will carry out the work. Success and glory shall be your reward. This is my wish, Ismail.

Swift in thought and action, he could formulate his plans on the spur of the moment. He was indeed one of those individuals who combined theory with practice. On that night, Varas Ismail Gangji was greatly worried for the responsibility of the jamat of Junagadh vested in him. He wept and passed sleepless night. His two servants, Abu Samji and Mitha Ismail also did not sleep and watched the worries of their master. He gained patience very soon and started his services in Junagadh as Imam’s Wazir.

The economical and social conditions of the Ismailis in Junagadh was the most deteriorated in the whole of India. The social sphere of life was no less than a hopeless condition. The weak were buried under the machinery of the unjust economy. It was a chronic disease spreading day by day in the Ismaili society. The lower strata of the Ismailis were the diggers of graves, barbers, porters, tiffin carriers, manual labourers, domestic servants and road construction workers. Sufficient reliable data is accessible in the voluminous writings that Varas Ismaili Gangji reacted sharply to the ailing state of the Ismailis.

To embark upon the mammoth task of reforms, one needs strength of resolution. Self-confident to face the challenge of the time, having insurmountable obstructions, he felt with ever more conviction that the reforms of his fellow beings had fallen to his lot with the blessings of the Imam. Being a profound and learned scholar, he was also blessed with the remarkable insight of a saga, he had no difficulty in locating the source which had shattered the social and economical conditions of the Ismailis. His first step was to find a solution for those who were at the most lowest class. He had to unite them on their traditional platform, i.e., their regularity in the Jamatkhana. He renovated the Jamatkhana of Junagadh. He allotted the duties to the fleet of field workers, including himself.

On that occasion, the grand procession of the Nawab Mahabat Khan passed near the Jamatkhana, and the Nawab was shocked to see his high minister working as a labourer. He told to Varas, “Do you lift the bags of sands?” He replied, “Yes Sir. I am a priceless slave of this jamat, and today it is my turn to work.” The Nawab was impressed beyond measure.

Varas Ismail Gangji united them and knitted together with his well dressed personality with glorious manner and habit. He played an important role for the services of the Ismailis of Junagadh and Kathiawar, he was in charge of settlement and their steady progress. He worked veritably like a brave lion in the community.

Varas Ismail Gangji then turned to improve the worst conditions of the Ismailis and he took few more firm measures to get to the root of their economical condition. The Ismailis were destined to dig the graves. He himself was well aware, of this fact, therefore, he too once dug a grave. When this was reported to Nawab Mahabat Khan that his high minister had dug the grave, Varas Ismail Gangji was summoned to the Nawab.

Varas Ismaili Gangji said, None except the Ismaili Khojas are reserved for digging graves. I am also an Ismaili. Whats wrong in it? The Nawab said, Well, I agree it, but I cannot allow my minister to take part in this. To this, Varas Ismail Gangji boldly said, But I will either do it as your ex-minister or give me your word that no Khoja will dig graves from today. Nawab Mahabat Khan acceded to his proposal and issued his decree that the Khojas specifically would not dig graves and it would be consigned to the depressed class in the state.

After performing the spade works, Varas Ismail Gangji centered his attention towards the common folk in the community. This problem was resolved different measures. There were few affluent persons in the community, whom he exhorted to venture into the wholesale business of vegetables, and supply to the Ismaili retailers. Gradually, the labour class joined the business. Once he saw a poor Ismaili porter struggling under the weight of a heavy stone, which he was carrying on his back. Moved by pity for his inferior condition, Varas Ismaili Gangji ordered him, Drop the stone and he did so. Varas Ismail Gangji set him up as a vendor for vegetables.

These new reforms brought the Ismailis of Junagadh slowly into the middle and the higher economic classes of the society. It certainly marked the turning of the tide for them. The old proverb, Khoja uthao boja (Khoja! lift the load) denoting the Ismailis of Junagadh gradually came to an end.

Varas Ismail Gangji was regular in the attendance of the Jamatkhana and came before the Mukhi and Kamadia. He was a high official of the state and then a veteran leader of the community, but where the question for the service of the community arose, he would consider himself as lowest of the low. He unrolled daily the mats and spread on them floor. He started the recitation of the ginans before prayers. He also delivered waez. After an end of the evening prayers, his servants searched daily into the Jamatkhana the new visitors or travellers and brought them for dinner. This tradition of hospitality continued till the death of his son, Varas Kassim.

Once on Friday, he was offering prayers in the Jamatkhana, a messenger came in haste and said, “Nawab Saheb summons you urgently.” He told, “Tell him that I will come after an end of the prayers.”

Complete at Source:

http://www.ismaili-net.com/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=328

Mumtaz Ali Tajddin S. Ali is an popular Ismaili Scholar, He has written biography of ismaili heroes such as Ismail Gangji in 101 Ismaili Heroes,

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