Ladakbhai Haji

Ladakbhai Haji came from the Haji Bhalu family, and was born in Kera, Kutch in 1827. He came to Bombay with his father due to a terrible famine in Kutch at the age of 6 years in 1833. His father was a wood-cutter. In 1835, his father returned to Kutch, where he died in the beginning of 1836.

Soon after the death of his father, Ladakbhai Haji led a destitute life. He came to Bombay at the age of nine years. He lived and worked with his maternal uncle for 12 years free of charge. In 1840, he returned to his native land and got married.

He opened a godown for storing coals. He worked hard and purchased few parts of the jungles in Kosta and Ali Bagh. Within a short period, he became one of the leading wood merchants in Bombay.

In 1864, Ladakbhai Haji purchased another useful plot of land in Hasanabad, measuring 16,000 square yards. The Imam summoned him in Wadi and said, 'Did you purchase a plot in Mazagon?' To this, he replied affirmatively. The Imam said, 'Well, your plot is mine.' He presented it to the Imam, who visited it every evening. Once the Imam came in Hasanabad after noon and made a mark in one spot with his stick. When Imam Hasan Ali Shah passed away in 1881, he was buried on that spot.

A fanatic killed Mukhi Hasan Ali of Darkhana, Bombay on June 22, 1878, therefore, the Imam appointed Ladakbhai Haji as the Mukhi.

He helped the Ismailis of Kutch with his own means and resources during the terrible famine in 1901.

The group of the elders known as the justi was working in the Jamatkhana before the existence of the Ismaili Council, to solve the problems of the individuals. Mukhi Ladak served as the head of the justi till the existence of the first Council in Bombay on April 9, 1906.

Mukhi Ladak Haji was also known as the Great Saint of Bombay and he served devotedly as a Mukhi till death for 30 years.

He died on May 5, 1907 at the age of 80 years.