Lalji Rawji

Children

The entire Rawji Families, who were Khoja Shia Ithna-asheri Muslims, came from the lineage of successful, hard-working farming and agricultural business background. The family also had couple of General Stores serving the local community. The Rawji families were living a comfortable life and were considered financially wealthy. They all lived together in harmony as a united family in Sapar, Morbi (Morvi), Kathiawar in Gujarat, India. Bearing in mind the history of India, Morbi State was a Princely Salute State of Kathiawar during the British Raj. Our grandfather Rahemtulla Rawji had two brothers; Kareem Rawji (Damani) and Lalji Rawji. Rahemtulla Rawji (our grandfather) was the eldest of the three brothers. Our father, Mohamedali Rahemtulla was the son of Rahemtulla Rawji.

An Audacious Journey of Lifetime - Journey to Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa in 1910

As for Mohamedali Rahemtulla, who represented one of the first waves of Indian entrepreneurs to Africa, migration to East Africa, Uganda was a voyage of adventure, challenge and circumstance. The most awaited day finally came for the Rawji Families who had been planning for the journey of a lifetime for a while. After hugging all of their other family members and friends at the dock, it began to sink in that they may never see them again.

In 1910, the Rawji families, along with their wives and children set sail on a Steamer/ Ship from the Port of Porbandar to Mombasa in Kenya, East Africa. They also carried with them enough food, a daily ration; a fixed allowance of provisions of food. It was mutually agreed that one would only consume the portion of ration in times of shortage and scarcity of food so that the ration would not run out and last during the entire journey. They embarked on this audacious journey with apprehension, anxiety, and bewilderment not knowing what the future held for them. Often confused emotional adversity can debilitate anyone. They were already cautioned about the journey and the weather conditions prior to boarding the ship; in this part of the world, perhaps the world's largest monsoon system, powered by seasonal warming and cooling of large air masses, occur in the Indian Ocean. Its climate is affected by the monsoon cycle of rains and winds which are so powerful during this part of the year that the ship can get blown off course and thus the journey could take much longer to reach its destination. It was a pretty horrendous journey. Finally, after almost 22 days of enduring the rough and challenging journey, they reached Mombasa.

At Mombasa, they were met by Allidina Visram, known as "the Uncrowned King of East Africa" who was reputed for his kindness and generosity. Allidina Visram who always had soft corners for the people from Kathiawar, had arranged for the short stay accommodation and food for them. He shared his business expertise with our grandfather as to what business to explore. He reiterated to our grandfather that our father, Mohamedali, who was teased as being a very talkative child, saw something extraordinary and inexplicable in him and said, "Mark my words Rahemtulla, your son is a highly talented child who would surely accomplish something big in his life." They stayed in Mombasa for a few days and continued on their journey to Kampala. Needless to say, Allidina Visram had also arranged for the complete journey from Mombasa to Kampala. They humbly thanked Allidina Visram for his kindness and generosity afforded to them. They had to travel partly by railway and partly on ox-cart to Kisumu, and then sail up the Lake Victoria by boat to Entebbe, and then finally to Kampala. Our grandfather expressed his feelings about the journey as very tiring and stressful!

In Kampala, they were received by the members of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community who had kindly arranged for their place to stay and provided food. After a practical dialogue amongst themselves, all three brothers decided to disperse to different places in Uganda. Kareem Rawji (Damani) decided to settle in Kampala. Lalji Rawji decided to move to Jinja. Rahemtulla Rawji decided to settle in Mbale.