Jaffer Mohamed Rahim
- Jaffer Thathar (tremble)
- 1850
- 1917
- The Descendants of Jaffer Mohamed Rahim by Salim Jaffer
- Customs Officer
- Chief Telgraph Officer (Smith Mackenzie)
- Parents
- Partners
- Jenabai Bhaloo Kurji 1885
- Children
- Alimohamed Jaffer Mohamed Rahim 1891–1936Jena Jaffer Mohamed Rahim 1905–1979
Jaffer Mohamed Rahim was the youngest of three children whose father was a farmer in Kutch. He came to be known as Jaffer Tharthar (tremble) because he had parkinson's disease, and besides... those in his presence would tremble. He was strict and stubborn and was used to having his way.
With so many children, and only a limited source of income, the family lived through hard times, hence his son's were forced to seek employment from a young age.
Historical Origins...
1857 Mohamed Rahim (Hirji) left Kutch with the family due to severe drought and famine in the region and settled in Bombay. He had three children; Saffarali, Fijibai and Jaffer.
1886 Jaffer Mohamed Rahim and Saffarali leave Bombay for Zanzibar. Jaffer gets a prestigious job as Customs Officer in the government of Zanzibar. Saffarali stays for a while but does not like the living there, and returns back to Bombay.
1889 Jaffer returns to Bombay and marries Fatmabai Kassam Karim (1876 BOMBAY - 1914 ZANZIBAR). They both return to Zanzibar.
1891 Alimohamed is born.
1899 Khatija is born.
1900 Mohamed is born.
1905 Jena is born.
1895 Abdulhussein is born.
During all this time, Jaffer worked as a Customs Officer in the Zanzibar Government.
Saffarali (brother in Bombay) sends a crate of toys as a present for the children. To avoid paying duty, Jaffer declares the goods for business purposes (Zanzibar was a duty free port for commerce). However, this was not the case, and the customs authorities found out about it and fired him. He had worked there for 19 years, one more year and he would have reached 20 years service; and hence entitled to a pension. Now he had nothing to show for!
Gets job with shipping agents Smith McKenzie & Co., as chief telegraph officer.
1906 Second marriage; to Jenabai Bhaloo Kurji (1885 ZANZIBAR -
1965 DAR-ES-SALAAM). She was previously married to a far older gentleman, but he passed away after six months and she returned to live with her family. They owned an apartment building where Jaffer, Fatmabai and their five children were renting a flat. There Jaffer fell in love, told Fatmabai that he wished to marry Jenabai, but she strenuously objected. He threatened to convert and become an Ithnashri; in this way bringing shame to her and the children. She finally succumbed, and hence the marriage.
1910 Saku is born.
1907 Kulsum is born.
1915 Jaffer leaves Smith McKenzie & Co. after ten years of service. due to ill health (he had boils all over his body).
1916 Left Zanzibar for health reasons, (doctor recommended a change of climate) and returned to Bombay, accompanied with Jenabai (second wife), Abdulhussein, Kulsum and Saku.
1917 One afternoon he went to Chopati Beach for a horse drawn carriage ride, returned home, had a heart attack and passed away.
THE DECENDANTS OF JAFFER MOHAMED RAHIM BY Salim Jaffer (Vancouver 1999)
Mohamed,Jena,Abdulhussein,Jaffer,Kulsum, Alimohamed, Khatibai,Safarali Zanzibar.(1908)
