Kanji Lalji Bharmal

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Sikinabai Kanji Lalji 1994

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Wadabapa Kanji Lalji, (as he has been address by all of extended Lalji family and we will be addressing him as such from now on) was the second surviving son of Lalji Bharmal and being single, would be the first one to leave Kutch and go to East Africa in 1911. His older brother Manji Lalji (my grandfather) was a family man and a breadwinner for the Lalji Bharmal family, farming with his father on their "Gundhi" Wadi. Thus he was not able to go first to Tanganyika. Lalji Bharmal borrowed money from a Hindu Merchant in Sinugra Kutch in the amount of 60 Rupees, guaranteed by his son Wadabapa Kanji Lalji, who was migrating to Tanganyika, to give back with interest when he returns to Kutch.
Wadabapa Kanji Lalji, at the age of 17 years left Sinugra Kutch in December 1911, in the company of Hirji Bhaloo Virani (a merchant in Zanzibar), and came to Tanganyika by ship. After working in Zanzibar with Mr Hirji Bhaloo Virani initially for a very short time, he relocated to Dar es Salaam and worked with Mr Haji Hamir (known family in Dar es Salaam, originally from Kutch as well). New arrivals to East Africa were helped in this manner by these early settlers as this is an old Sindhi, Kutchi and Khatiawadi tradition for generations, practiced in India and outside India. His salary was 400 shillings for 3 years.
After his Dar es Salaam work, he was then assigned to work at Haji Hamir's other branch located in Kilosa, an inland village in Southern Highland region of Tanganyika and then reassigned to work with Haji Hamir brothers' firm of Ladak and Jivraj Hamir in New-Langenburg (presently known as Tukuyu) in 1912. Wadabapa Kanji Lalji had not learned Swahili when he moved to Tukuyu and after working few months, he was wrongly accused of misappropriating funds but the German Judge, (with help of Mr Jaffer Nathoo Ladak (resident of Tukuyu) who acted as an interpreter as Wadabapa Kanji did not speak Swahili,) recognized that he was being taken an advantage of and was being framed cunningly and wrongly, found him innocent, and acquitted him.
He then left the Hamir's firm and at the request of Jaffer Nathoo Ladak went in partnership with him in business which was located in Masoko, a nearby village; they also had main branch in New Langenburg (Tukuyu) Wadabapa moved to Masoko. At the end of their first year of partnership, they had made good profit of over 5000 Shillings. Unfortunately in the early years of 1st World War, Mr Jaffer Nathoo passed away. Wadabapa Kanji Lalji had to fold the company and Mr Jaffer Nathoo's share was sent to Mr Nathoo's wife and family in India (they had not immigrated to Tanganyika) which was handled by the then German Government. In 1921, Wadabapa Kanji Lalji's brother Hussein Lalji (Hussein Chacha, as he was commonly addressed) was called to come to Tukuyu. Mr Hussein Lalji’s arrival in Tukuyu, made Wadabapa Kanji Lalji's trip to Sinugra Kutch possible in 1922. This return trip in 1922 was his first one after he had immigrated to Tanganyika.
Wadabapa Kanji returned to Kutch in 1922 to get married: on his return to Kutch, he settled the family debts, principle with interest, his father Lalji Bharmal had borrowed from the Hindu lender. The bride was chosen by his parents and she was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Hirji Rajpar Kalyan, family from nearby Nagalpur village and well known to Bharmal family. Her name was Sikina, a sister of five brothers. These brothers also ended up migrating to Tanganyika and four of them. Moloo, Merali, Bandali and Suleman settled in Tukuyu. The older brother Jaffer settled in Zanzibar.
Wadabapa Kanji and Wadima Sikina (who was 17 years old) on their return trip to Tanganyika, the newly wedded couple were given the task to take some of the Wadabapa Kanji’s young relations. They left Kutch in Dec 1922 and with them were Wadabapa's younger brother Karim Lalji, his cousin Walji Kassam Bharmal, nephew Ladha Manji Lalji Bharmal and second degree related nephew Ladha Manji Haji Jetha ( brother of Ali Manji Haji).Both of these nephews were about 12 years in age. They traveled to Mandvi in a cattle wagon and then to Mumbai and finally by steamer to Dar es Salaam where they landed on 8th of January 1923. After about 3 days Wadabapa and Wadima with brother Karim Lalji and the two Ladha nephews travelled to Southern Highland region in the interior of Tanganyika and settled in Tukuyu to start their new lives. Mr Walji Kassam after a short stay in Dar es Salaam, left to settle in Moshi, situated the northern part of Tanganyika.
They had their business in Tukuyu which was quite successful. Wadabapa Kanji and Wadima Sikina were the matriarch of Lalji Bharmal family in the settlement of Manji’s sons and daughters, Hussein and Karim Lalji. They helped them settle, marry and establish themselves in Tanganyika and some of them became quite successful economically.
In 1935, Kanji Lalji family relocated to Mbeya. They became one of the pioneers of Mbeya.
They had a wholesale business and latter also went in agriculture owning coffee and rice farms and since mid and late 1970's, they have transport business which their grandsons Ali and Amin are presently running under name of Kanji Lalji Ltd.
Both Wadabapa & Wadima (Ref" Simerg.com/Wadima),were addressed as such practically by whole of the extended family, were quite involved with, not only the Ismaili community work, but also work related to all the people of Mbeya region, regardless they were Indian, European or African origin. They served as Mukhi and Mukhiani in 1938-1939 period.

They had 3 sons Sadrudin, Badrudin and Sultan and one daughter Nur. In early 1970's they all relocated to UK and Canada and had businesses. All the children have been involved with the community work. Their older son Itmadi Sadrudin Kanji Lalji ( S K Lalji as commonly known) served in the Mbeya Regional Council and after his move to the UK, he and his wife Roshan served as the Chief Mukhi and Mukhiani of London UK Jamat during Silver Jubilee of Hazar Imam; a proud moment for Lalji Bharmal family. In 1981-1982, their daughter Nur and son in law Fidhali Meghji served as Mukhiani and Mukhi of Richmond Jamatkhana in Vancouver BC; their second son Badrudin and his wife Roshan also served as Mukhi and Mukhiani of Mbeya Jamat; their last son Sultan and daughter in law Gulzar stayed in Mbeya and are greatly involved in community and general public affairs in Mbeya

Photo Gallery of the Life and Times of Kanji & Sikina Lalji Bharmal

Wadabapa Kanji Lalji
Wadabapa Kanji Lalji
Mr & Mrs Kanji Lalji Photograph Dr. Mohamed Manji collection.
Mukhi Kamadias of Mbeya Jamat Photograph Dr. Mohamed Manji collection.
Chief Mukhi Itmadi Sadrudin Kanji Lalji at Silver Jubilee visit to London UK 1983 Photo Dr Moh'd Manji collection
Mukhi Badrudin & Mukhiani Roshan K Lalji and Kamadia Fateh & Kamadiani Sultan G. Jiwan with Hazar Imam during 1966 Mbeya visit; Photo Dr Moh'd Manji collection