Ajum Goolam Hossen

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Hajee
Ajum Goolam Hossen
અજુમ ગુલામ હુસૈન
Born
Ajum Goolam Hossen

c. 1850
Pamplemousses, Mauritius
Died(1919-02-14)14 February 1919
Port Louis, Mauritius
Burial placeRicheterre Muslim Cemetery, Port Louis, Mauritius
NationalityMauritian
Other namesAjum Goolam Hossen Piperdy
SiglumAGH, AJM
CitizenshipMauritius, British Raj
OccupationBusinessman
Years active1875-1901
OrganizationAjum Goolam Hossen & Co
Known for
  • Business
  • Mauritian Muslim Society co-founder
TitleFormer CEO of Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co, Co-Founder of Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society
PredecessorGoolam Hossen
SuccessorAhmed Ajum Piperdy, Cassam Ajum Piperdy, Issop Ajum Piperdy, Ibrahim Ajum Piperdy
Children
Parent
Ajum Goolam Hossen
OccupationMember of SSMS
Years active1897-1919
OrganizationSurtee Soonnee Mussulman Society
TitleCo-Founder of SSMS

Ajum Goolam Hossen (c. 1850 – 14 February 1919[1]), also known as Hajee Ajum Goolam Hossen was a prominent Mauritian trader and businessman, known for his significant role in the migration and trade history of South Gujarat Muslim merchants and traders from Surat to the British colony of Mauritius during the 19th century. His life and contributions played a crucial role in the establishment of the Gujarati Sunni Bohra community in Mauritius.

Early life[edit]

The migration of South Gujarat Muslim merchants and traders from the hinterland of the bustling port city of Surat to Mauritius commenced in the 1830s. This initial wave was primarily motivated by the lucrative prospects in textiles and commodities trade. It wasn't until the 1850s that the migration and subsequent settlement of Gujarati Sunnee Vohras, colloquially referred to as 'marchands Arabes,' gained momentum. These enterprising individuals became a common sight in the Central Business District of eighteenth-century Port Louis, particularly along the streets of Corderie and Desforges, which would later be known as Surtee Bazaar.[2][3] Among the noteworthy migrants was Goolam Hossen, who established himself as a merchant from Surat. His son, Ajum Goolam Hossen, born around 1850 in Pamplemousses, Mauritius, would emerge as a prominent figure within the Surtee community.[4][5][6] Ajum has origins in Rander, Gujarat where he is part of the large family enterprise "Piperdy of Rander". He later became the Mauritian representative of this enterprise.[7]

Business[edit]

Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co[edit]

In 1875, following the passing of his father, Ajum assumed control of the family's trading company. The firm, specializing in the trade of pepper,[8] earned Ajum the alias "Piperdy,"[9][10] which came from the Latin word 'piper' meaning 'pepper'. Piperdy subsequently became the surname of his descendants. The company had multiple branches across the Indian Ocean in countries like Singapore, South Africa, and India.[11] However, despite his entrepreneurial acumen, the company, known as Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co., faced legal difficulties and was eventually dissolved in 1901.[12][13]

Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co.'s traction engine and trucks carrying sugar from their Estate, Bon Air, to their private dock in Port Louis

Contributions[edit]

Ajum Goolam Hossen's contributions extended beyond the realm of commerce. In 1897, he played a pivotal role in co-founding the Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society, along with 19 other individuals. This society, established to foster communal bonds and cultural heritage, continues to thrive to this day. [2] On 9 November 1901, a banquet was hosted by Governor Charles Bruce at his residence, Le Réduit, as reported by Les Petites Affiches. Among the attendees was M.K. Gandhi, who later mentioned the social event in a letter to K. Hazareesingh. Additionally, on 13 November 1901, various newspapers reported that Muslim traders organized a banquet in honor of M.K. Gandhi. The event took place at the Anjuman's Bungalow (Taher Bagh) in Champ de Mars and was attended by 200 guests, including Muslim and Tamil traders of Port Louis, ship captains, and Municipal Counsellors. Hajee Ajum Goolam Hossen presided over the banquet, where thirty distinguished guests, including his son Cassam Ajum Piperdy, Rasool Hossen Ellam, and Munshi Abdool Cadir, praised Gandhi for his contributions to the South African Indian communities. In his response, Gandhi expressed gratitude to the gathering, particularly acknowledging his host Ahmad Goolam Mohamed. He also provided valuable suggestions for the advancement of his fellow countrymen and urged prompt attention to the education of their children.[14] Ajum also caused a washing place to be built on the bank of the River Tapti and he funded the library in Rander.[15] Ajum bought lots of land[16][17] that he used to contribute to the community.[2]

Death[edit]

He passed away on 14 February 1919, in Port Louis.[1] He is buried in the Riche Terre Muslim Cemetery in Port Louis, Mauritius, owned by the Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society.

See also[edit]


References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Supreme Court, Mauritius (1924). Decisions of the Supreme Court of Mauritius. Mauritius. p. 63.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b c "SSMS History". SSMS.
  3. ^ Olia, Yusuf. "The Migration of Sunni Surtees to Mauritius". Yusuf Olia. Yusuf Olia.
  4. ^ Olia, Yusuf (10 November 2023). "Ajum Goolam Hossen: A Journey of Legacy and Commerce in 19th Century Mauritius". Yusuf Olia.
  5. ^ Mulloo, Anand (2007). Voices of the Indian Diaspora. India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited. p. 156. ISBN 9788120831971.
  6. ^ Almanac. 1886.
  7. ^ Abdool Cader Kalla, Kalla, Abdool Cader (1992). The Coolie Connection. Windsor Press. p. 129. ISBN 9780963931849.
  8. ^ Emrith, Moomtaz (1967). The Muslims in Mauritius. Mauritius: Mauritius. p. 21.
  9. ^ Macmillan, Allister (1914). Mauritius. Mauritius: W.H. & L. Collingridge. p. 380.
  10. ^ Selvon, Sydney (2001). A Comprehensive History of Mauritius: From the Beginning to 2001. Mauritius: M. D. S. p. 262. ISBN 9789990329964.
  11. ^ Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1901 Steamers. England: Lloyd's Register. 1901. p. 5.
  12. ^ Mauritius, Supreme Court (1873). Index of the Decisions of the Supreme Court of Mauritius. South Africa: LexisNexis Butterworths (South Africa). p. 81.
  13. ^ Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court. USA: United States. Supreme Court. 1832. pp. 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 25, 26, 29, 294. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  14. ^ "(History) Gandhi Visited a Bubonic affected Mauritius with his Family in 1901". LeMauricien. 2 October 2020.
  15. ^ "GANDHIJI'S HOSTS – "DIASPORIC" TRAJECTORIES: The Gujarati merchants – a powerful economic base". LeMauricien. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  16. ^ Routledge Handbook of Asian Transnationalism. Taylor & Francis. August 2022. ISBN 9781000635362.
  17. ^ Rouillard, Guy (1964). Histoire des domaines sucriers de l'île Maurice. Mauritius: G. Rouillard. pp. 383, 385.
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