Shivji Haji Kaajia

Hussein Suleman Verjee 1883- 04/05/1932 Nairobi said that our History should start with his Grandfather Shivji Haji Kaajia. Kaajia was our surname stemming from Kajmalsal, the village that was owned by our family. According to my Uncle Shams ud deen Mohamed Jamal, the family was originally from Dawn Gadha in Junagadh State, in Kathiawar, Gujarat.
Shivji lived in Kajmason in Kathiawar, India. He was Haji's oldest son. In 1800, he was working as an Administration Officer. A gang of Dacoits raided Kajmason, looting and killing innocent people. He managed to rout them. He was both smart and strong. This Gang had caused problems for a long time.The Raja of the Province was pleased. At a special ceremony he praised him and granted him the state's tax revenue for life. A few years later, there were disastrous droughts. He did not want to force the poor to pay, so he gave up his stipend and moved to Una in Gujarat with his Family, including son Verjee.
He prospered and donated a double story building valued at 150,000 Rupees to the Ismaili Community. He donated another Building worth RS 200,000 to the town of Una for a Hostel. It was part of the family tradition. Verjee had six sons. We knew about Suleman and Hasham who were partners for a time. They were born with this tradition and Legacy.The Vali Hasham name is well known in Nairobi. Ameer Janmohamed provided Suleman,s other brothers names in his book a Regal Romance.

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INDIAN SETTLERS IN AFRICA THE LEGACY OF SULEMAN VERJEE AND SONS BY DR KAS JAMAL SULEMAN VERJEE. NEW KINDLE EDITION : March 2021.(Location 518-521)