Hamir Pradhan

Children

Mohamed Hamir 1880–1943

"Our grandfather, Mohamed Hamir (Pradhan) was born in Sinogra, Kutch in 1880. Following several of his siblings, he arrived in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1902. After a short stint in Kilosa with one of his brothers, he followed another brother to Iringa where he went to work for him in his retail (Duka) shop. He helped his brother expand his business to inland villages. Eventually he formed his own business and became a successful entrepreneur in retail and residential real estate development. After several years, our grandmother Bhachibai and their three year old daughter were able to join him from India. Over the next several years three more daughters and a son were born into the family.

In early 1930’s and in the midst of global economic depression, our grandfather embarked on a project that would become a matter of pride and an important legacy for our family and the Ismaili community of Iringa. The genesis of this project was his deep religious belief and commitment to community service. He was also inspired by his own father, Hamir Pradhan, who had built and donated a Jamat Khana in their home town of Sinogra. He proposed to the community that he wanted to build a Jamat Khana complex and donate it to the Imam for benefit of the Ismaili community in Iringa. Our grandfather's proposal called for a two story Jamat Khana building with a capacity for 600 people, four times the Jamat size at the time. The complex was to include primary school facilities, a social hall, a guest house (Dharmshara) and a recreation compound. The building was to be located right in the middle of the main street, which later was named as Jamat Street, a tribute to the Ismaili community of Iringa for the Jamat Khana building that manifested prominently on the street.

With determined perseverance and fortitude he was able to get an agreement on his plan and approval for the project from the appropriate jurisdictional leadership as well as our Imam. The construction was commenced in 1931 and completed in 1933. Due to drastic economic conditions, our grandfather had to resort to borrow money to complete the project. Our family folklore describes his obsession with the project that was of legendary proportion. At times things got so desperate that he personally and physically toiled on the projects along with our family members to help the project move along to completion.

At the time of the completion of the JamatKhana in 1933, it was reported to be one of the best in Tanganyika, and architecturally one of the most beautiful in the whole of East Africa. Over the next twenty five years the Jamat in Iringa grew five-fold, exceeding the original capacity of 600. The Jamat Khana complex was not only the anchor of the community, but also a major catalyst for the growth of the Ismaili community in Iringa.

At the Golden Jubilee of Imam Sultan Mohamed Shah in Nairobi 1936, our grandparents were scheduled for special audience with the Hazar Imam in order to formally present the gift of the Iringa Jamat Khana. However due to the last minute illness of our grandmother they were not able to make the long journey to Nairobi. Our Imam accepted their gift in their absence, and conveyed much appreciation and blessings to them and to their family. This was the happiest moment in our grandfather's life! The Imam also bestowed on him an honorific title.

Since its manifestation some 85 years ago, the Iringa Jamat Khana with its prominent clock tower, continues to stand as symbol of the town's identity. It is a source of pride for our community and our family to have the Jamat Khana be such an Iconic monument of the town.It is also a tribute to our grandfather's, foresight, faith, leadership and perseverance. His generosity and service to the community is a remarkable legacy and an inspiration for our family and for the future generations.

By Mohamed Hamir (Namesake grandson)

Beautiful Kutchi-style carved main door to Old Jamatkhana (community centre) building, Sinugra-donated by Hamir Pradhan.
Beautiful podium to Old Jamatkhana building(community centre), Sinugra-donated by Hamir Pradhan.
'Beautiful pillar to Old Jamatkhana building (community centre), Sinugra-donated by Hamir Pradhan.

NOTE regarding Sinugra Jamatkhana

"Sinogra is about 40km from Bhuj and went there via Anjar. took about 1.5 hrs as stopped on the way at Nigarpur to see the Jamat Khana and Dharga (a sainted shrine). Then on to Sinogra. It is a small village of 1200 people with only 150 Ismailis left (few years a ago there were 800!). Found the Jk and the jamatbhai showed me around. The JK that dadbapa had built was destroyed in the earth quake and today stands with corrugated metal sheet walls. Did not find the plaque attributing the JK to dada bapa (Arzeena had seen it!). Upon my request, the jamatbhai then took me to the mukhisaheb's farm (about 2kms). He was very happy that i visited him, but did not recall our family name. In any case, I requested a "sakhawat" of’sagri jaman’ for the entire Sinogra jamat and also a ruhani majilis in the memory of our grand father Mohamed Hamir Pradhan from all of us. He accepted these both requests and gave us all much dua. It was a touching moment for me and I thought of you lot.

I also thought a lot of our dada bapa, his enterprise and good work that has bestowed good fortunes on us. Seeing life here, we are indeed very very lucky family!"

By Mohamed Hamir (Namesake grandson), 2004