Dewji Lalji Dharas

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 Mandvi, Kutch 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 Balochistan.

Devji acquired the title of Dharas for visiting the Ismaili Imam in Iran. Thus, Devji became known as Devji Dharas. W 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, Kutch 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 Kutch. 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 the lives of many Ismailis and non-Ismailis and provided them relief aids that were available to them. Indeed, it was zeal to serve mankind, a natural gift whose legacy continued in his family.