Cassam Ajum Piperdy

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Cassam Ajum Piperdy
Conseil Municipal de Port Louis
In office
1909–1914
Ajum Goolam Hossen & Co.
In office
1900–1901
Surtee Soonnee Mussulman Society
In office
1897–1901
Personal details
Born
Cassam Ajum Piperdy

c. 1882
Port Louis, British Mauritius
DiedRander, Bombay Presidency, British Raj
CitizenshipBritish Mauritius and British Raj
SpouseFatima Anglia[1]
ParentAjum Goolam Hossen

Cassam Ajum Piperdy (Gujarati: કાસિમ અજુમ પાઇપર્ડી c. 1882 – ?) was a Mauritian businessman and politician who played a significant role in the commercial and civic life of Mauritius during the early 20th century. He was a partner in the trading company Ajum Goolam Hossen and Co., which was owned by his father Ajum. Piperdy served as a municipal councilor,[2] making him one of the earliest Muslim representatives in local government in Mauritius.[3]

Early life[edit]

Cassam Ajum Piperdy was born around 1882 in Port Louis, Mauritius.[2] He was the second eldest son of Ajum Goolam Hossen, following his brother Ahmed Ajum Piperdy.[4]

Career[edit]

Cassam Ajum Piperdy became a partner in the trading company Ajum Goolam Hossen and Co. in 1900 until its dissolution in 1901.[2] The company, founded by his father Ajum, was a prominent player in Mauritius' commercial landscape at the time.

Piperdy became the second-ever Muslim municipal councillor elected in Mauritius, serving alongside his brother Ahmed. At the time, few Muslims held municipal councillor positions. Dr. Hassen Sakir was the first Muslim municipal councillor of Mauritius, and Piperdy followed suit soon after.[5]

In 1901, when Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius, Cassam and his father Ajum hosted Gandhi and his family, along with 200 other guests, at a building on Bourbon Street. Cassam, along with Rasool Hossen Ellam and Munshi Abdool Cadir, delivered the welcome speech during Gandhi's visit.[6]

In 1922, Cassam Ajum Piperdy, along with Maleck Rassool Moorad, served as liquidators for Ajum Goolam Hossen and Co. after its dissolution.[7]

Personal life[edit]

Cassam Ajum Piperdy derived his surname from his father's firm in Rander, Piperdy, which originated from the word Latin "piper," as the Piperdys of Rander were known for selling pepper and other spices.[8]

Legacy[edit]

Cassam died in the mid 20th century in Port Louis, Mauritius.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Olia, Yusuf. "Cassam Piperdy". Yusuf Olia's World. Wix.
  2. ^ a b c Macmillan, Allister (1914). Mauritius. Mauritius: W.H. & L. Collingridge. p. 380.
  3. ^ Emrith, Moomtaz (1967). The Muslims in Mauritius. Mauritius: Mauritius. p. 141.
  4. ^ Supreme Court, Mauritius (1924). Index of the Decisions of the Supreme Court of Mauritius. South Africa: LexisNexis Butterworths. p. 63.
  5. ^ Emrith, Moomtaz (1967). The Muslims in Mauritius. Mauritius: Mauritius. p. 141.
  6. ^ Dukhira, Chit (2002). History of Mauritius. C. Dukhira. p. 31. ISBN 978-99903-970-0-0.
  7. ^ Supreme Court, Mauritius (1928). The Mauritius Reports. Mauritius: Government Printer, South Africa. pp. 89, 91.
  8. ^ Emrith, Moomtaz (1967). The Muslims in Mauritius. Mauritius: Mauritius. p. 21.