Ismail Ramjee
- Kanyika
- Home Boy. Final Zanzibar Documentation Project. Documentation of some historical building as part of landmarks building in Zanzibar Stone Town World Heritage Site. Academia.com pg 19.
- Merchant
- Parents
- Siblings
According to Khoja oral history, Ismailbhai Ramjee was Mukhi of Zanzibar Jamatkhana in 1876.
The list of elected & later, appointed leaders, the Mukhi-Kamadia, of the Khoja Ismaili jamaat of Zanzibar.
CHARITABLE CARAVAN SERAI BUILDING,1882
Geographical Information:
Located in Zanzibar Stone town western coast of Unguja, at Malindi street, specific street known as Dega street nearby Safari lodge headed to Indian narrow strret.(in the old Khoja neighbourhood of Kiponda as identified by Dr Christie in 1860's.Ed.)
Map of Zanzibar Stone Town showing Kiponda street and nearby streets.
Historical Information.
The word "serai" originated from Indian which means "routes" in Swahili means "misafara".
Buildings called "musafirkhanas" also called "caravanserais", were built by the Indiancommunity in Zanzibar as lodging for visiting members of their Khoja Ismail community or as charitable housing and not for commercial purpose.
The house built by Khoja Ismail Ramjee who was a big trader in Zanzibar and completed in 1882. Later on given to widows from the Ithnasheri sect under the ownership of Jan Moh’d, and later on given to Stone Town residents up to date without rent. The building has two storey and thirty-six rooms facing a central internal courtyard.
The building now is owned by the Revolutionary government of Zanzibar under the supervision of Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority, there is no any changes inside and outside of the building including windows and doors. Currently, the building is in bad conditions both internal and external spaces are badly deteriorated.
Architectural Information.
The architecture of the Caravan Serai reflected the lifestyle and role on the Island. Was designed to cope with the environmental condition of Zanzibar as well as to meet the demand as was mainly for visitors place and charitable house and not for commercial activities.
Architectural design:
The architectural design of the building is Indian architectural Style.
Internal courtyard of "Musafirkhanas", also called "Caravanserai", Building in the old Khoja neighbourhood of Kiponda, (as identified by Dr Christie in 1860's.Ed.)
- ↑ Kanyika,Home Boy. Final Zanzibar Documentation Project. Documentation of some historical building as part of landmarks building in Zanzibar Stone Town World Heritage Site. Academia.com pg 19
