Somchandbhai was a leading member of the Halari Visa Oshwal community with interests in social reforms, education and religion. He was born in 1914 at Navagam, Jamnagar District, Gujarat, India and after a few years of schooling, he left for Kenya in 1926. He married Raniben Dhanani at Chela in 1931. After working with his relatives at several towns of Kenya including Mombasa, Nairobi, Muragwa, Fort Hall, Saba Saba and Thika, he started business in partnership in Nairobi in 1941. He moved to Mombasa in 1948 and ran his own business until 1974 when he migrated to UK. In UK pursued his main interest of reading and writing about the Halari Visa Oshwal community. He passed away on 20th April 2000 at Harrow in UK.

Somchandbhai book

Introduction

Shri Keshavlalbhai the son of Shri Makanji Bhoja Dhara and Smt. Ratnabai, was born in NAVAGAM in India in 1926. He studied in Gujarati upto 4th standard and though he wanted to study more, due to the circumstances he had to go to Kenya in 1937 at the age of 11 years. He had to return to India after about two years due to the prolonged illness of his father,who died in 1941. During this period Shri Keshubhai looked after his father and also assumed total responsibility for his family, including his mother. He is a kind hearted person and has a very helpful nature, and hence he took care of his father most religiously without any regrets.

Shri Keshubhai had to leave Navagam for Bombay, to earn a decent living, as he had to support his mother and-family. He had small brothers and sisters, and there were no proper means of income in absence of his father, yet, he did not lose heart and on the contrary made up his mind to do hard work and earn money. As Navagam was a very small place, the opportunities were very less, hence he decided to try his luck at a much bigger and well established business centre like Bombay and started earning.

He married Kumari Radiyat, daughter of Shri Khimji Karamshi Pethod of Kajurda, India, in 1944. She is from a respectable family and is very religious and simple in nature. Keshavlalbhai has got a very strong support and companionship in his life from his wife.

At the end of 1945 Shri Keshubhai went again to Kenya, for better prospects, and joined his uncle Shri Devchand Bhoja in business at Kerugoya (KENYA).He set up a business in 1949′at Baricho (KENYA), but had to wind up the same a few years later in 1951 due the MAD MAD agitation there, which forced many flourishing businesses to close down at that time. He moved on to Forthall (KENYA) and established two shops with his younger brother Shri Premchandbhai, and also invited his other younger brothers Shri Jivrajbhai and Shri Veljibhai from India and jointly set up a new business at River Road Nairobi, KENYA, under the title of ‘RAMESH EMPORIUM’. His grandfather Shri Bhoja Dhara expired at Forthall in 1954, and this gave a moral setback to Shri Keshubhai as he lost the strong support and guidance of his grandfather, who had helped him very much after the death of his father. However, after the death of his grandfather, he received excellent guidance from his uncle Shri Narsi Bhoja, and prospered in his business byshifting it to a more lucrative place called Mombasa in 1963, However due to the political circumstances he was forced to wind up his business in Mombasa and emigrate to England in 1975 for permanent settlement. Shri Keshavlalbhai has put in a lot of efforts and has also contributed financially in preparing the FAMILY TREE and I congratulate him for the same.

The family tree has been compiled with great efforts and difficulty as he was staying very far away from his motherland. A lot of hard work and dedication has been put into this book by Keshavlalbhai, in the hope that it will be of interest and benefit future generations.

I feel it is necessary for every Oshwal family to keep this book in their library as a reference and rememberance of our forefathers, for the future generations of Oshwals.

- JIVRAJ MAKANJI SHAH

download here: Glimpses of Heritage [PDF, 2.2MB]

A PDF sample of the book, including the first chapter, can be viewed and printed from the following link: http://www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/9781847183682-sample.pdf.

The book provides information about our origin, hardships our ancestors faced and how they overcame them, migration to various places, entrepreneurship and traditions.

Please send comments to history@ oshwal-usa.org [Email address: history #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ].

This story is a translation from a Gujarati article “My Mother” by Sumati Shah and it has a lot of depth and very moving information that we all can relate to. The translation was done by Bhadra Patel.

This article may encourage USA Oshwals with an idea of what they can do with their own stories.

I have collected some information, e.g. Jethalal Khimchand Kachara Gudka of Navagam/ Kenya/ Mumbai was the first Oshwal to have studied in the USA. He came to New York in 1946 and stayed for three years. In 1948/1949, four more Oshwals came to the USA for studies. They were (i) Jayantilal Nemchand Fulchand Shah of Kansumara/ Kenya, (ii) Keshav Premchand Popat Chandari of Champa Beraja/ Kenya and his brother (iii) Manu Chandaria, and (iv) Dhiru Premchand Vrajpal Shah of Padana/Kenya.

I like to get information about Oshwals who came to the USA in 1950′s and early 1960′s for studies and/or settlement. After the U.S. Immigration Act of 1964 was passed, quotas for permanent settlement visas were allocated to Asian and African countries. This provided opportunities for Asians and Africans to settle in the USA.

I plan to include major achievements by Oshwals in their studies, professional field, businesses, social activities, sports, politics, etc. I would appreciate it if you would let me know of your major achievements and/or of any other Oshwal that you know of.

Please contact me at the following address: satishshah5 [Email address: satishshah5 #AT# yahoo.com - replace #AT# with @ ] or telephone: 972 618 9509.

This is a commercial site; however, it contains two interesting sections:(a) Oshwal History by Shri C.M. Lodha of Jodhpur. It discusses in details three different versions of Oswals’origin. (b) Gotra History provides information about the origin of our several Ataks.

From the Asanjo Kutch website. Information on Kutch, a region near Halar, that is part of the Oshwal community’s history. The Asanjo Kutch website is a commercial portal created to give Kutchi businesses a presence on the internet.

Satish Panachand Bharmal Shah (Gudhka)
4648 Hinton Drive
Plano, Texas 75024, USA
Tel: 972 618 9509
e-mail: satishshah5 [Email address: satishshah5 #AT# yahoo.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

NAVAGAM VILLAGE:
Navagam is located about 15 miles southwest of Jamnagar on the banks of River Amravati, on the outskirts of Lalpur District. Its area is approximately 2 square miles. Water flows in the river only during monsoons when it rains, otherwise during winters and summers the river is dry. The river flows westerly and then northerly. After passing through the village of Achhiya, it meets River Panna, which first passes through Rafudad then flows north of Navagam, and River Sasoi near Chhikari. River Sasoi originates in Dalasa Mountains and flows into the Bay of Cutchh. Dams have been built on both Sasoi and Panna rivers, and retained water is provided for irrigation through canals to nearby villages.

Mithoi was the oldest and most famous village in the former kingdom of Jamnagar. Kathiawad/Saurastra was divided into several kingdoms like Jamnagar. The rulers of several kingdoms banded together with the Nawab of Junagagh and sent their armies to fight against Jamnagar’s ruler, Jam Raval. The battle took place on the outskirts of Mithoi. Jam Raval’s army defeated the aggressors. At that time, Ganga Kheta of Gudhka family, Hirabhai Nongha of Dodhia family and Manek Padamshi of Nagda family, who were living in Mithoi, decided to settle in Navagam. This took place in circa 1850 AD.

Nongha Deghar Dodhia was the father-in-law of Ganga Kheta Gudhka. Nongha Dodhia had five sons: Hirabhai, Ranmalbhai, Mayabhai, Dharamshibhai and Raishibhai. Hirabhai Nongha Dodhia had three sons: Dharamshibhai, Deparbhai and Dharabhai.

Ganga Kheta Gudhka had four sons: Devshibhai, Jivrajbhai, Murabhai and Nagparbhai. When they came to settle in Navagam, these four brothers used to live together.

Navagam was established on Magsar Sud 8, Vikram Savant 1908 (circa1852 AD). Dharamashibhai Hirabhai Dodhia performed the opening ceremony. During that year, the 17th Ruler Jam Ranmalji died and the 18th Ruler Jam Vibhaji 2nd came on throne.

Members of the Halari Visa Oshwal community, also known as Mahajans, who founded Navagam, were able to attract Mahajans from other villages around Jamnagar. This resulted in a vast increase in the population of Mahajans in Navagam and members of other communities with technical skills, laborers, and cleaners also settled in Navagam. One family from each vocation such as potter, carpenter, blacksmith, barber, shoemaker, tailor, goldsmith, shepherd and two Brahmin families from the nearby Chhikari village settled in Navagam.

The people of Navagam were courageous, simple, strong, and united. There was sufficient rainfall, though sometimes a little less, for growing two crops. One was grown in monsoon and one in winter in nearby farms. As hay for cattle were available easily, farmers kept oxen, buffaloes, and cows and had an ample supply of milk, yogurt, buttermilk, cream and ghee (clarified butter). In nearby small fields/lots , people used to grow vegetable, grains and rye grass. On some fields sugar cane was also grown for its juice and to make molasses (gor).

During the idle periods when there were no farming activities, women and elderly people ginned cotton wool from which cotton thread was spun using hand-made spinning wheels. The thread was given to local weavers to make coarse cotton cloth (Khadi). This cloth was then hand sewed into garments or was given to a local tailor to make garments. Thus the villagers were able to survive using locally grown products and bartering them for an individual’s other necessities.

After Vikram Savant 1960 (circa 1904 AD), there was a famine every two to three years and this reduced the farmers’ crop yields. Also, there was increased interference in local affairs by the government administration. To survive, people started moving to other places. Some went to Mumbai. The first person to move to Mumbai from Navagam was Devraj Devshi Gudhka, son of Devshi Ganga Kheta Gudhka. He was probably the first Oshwal to settle in Mumbai.

Oshwals who settled in Navagam were Jains and they followed Jain principles. In the beginning there were no Jain temples or a prayer halls in Navagam to serve the community.

In Vikram Savant 1958 (circa 1902 AD) Muniraj Gautam Sasarji came to Jamnagar from Kutchh, and from there he came to Navagam. He encouraged the community to build a Jain temple and an Upashray (a hall). The Oshwal community accepted his suggestion. A decision was made to collect fund from the local Oshwals and those living in Mumbai to pay for construction materials and labor.

A Jain Swetamber Murtipujak Sangh (association of idol worshippers) was formed. Devraj Devshi Gudhka and Virji Depar Dodhia went to Mumbai to collect funds. After collecting funds from the Oshwal community of Navagam living in Mumbai, they met Meghji and Devshi Khetshi, originally of Sathra village in Kutchh, who owned a shop in Mumbai. The brothers agreed to pay the entire cost of construction of the Jain temple. The funds would be provided as the construction progressed and they advised the fund raisers to return to Navagam and start the construction. So they returned to Navagam and fully briefed the Jain Sangh (group) about the commitment from the two brothers. The Sangh accepted the offer. Some preliminary work had already begun with the help of farmers and now with the commitment, the work on constructing the temple was started in earnest. As the work progressed, reports were sent to the two brothers in Mumbai and they provided funds as needed. However, after about 75 percent of the work was completed the brothers were unable to honor their commitment because of their adverse financial condition. The construction work was halted for sometime. With money donated by local Jains the construction of the temple and the hall were completed. It took sixteen years to finish the project. The idols were officially installed on Sunday, Vishakh Sud 1, Vikram Savant 1976 (circa 1922). The idols consisted of Shree Chandraprabhuji in the middle as the principal deity and Shree Parshvnathprabhuji on either side. After several years, marble was laid inside and outside with the funds that were collected over the years in the temple as offerings to the deity. In 1955 AD, the temple was redecorated and murals were painted. This additional work has made the temple extremely beautiful and worth a visit.

The Jain temple was managed by Rupa Virpar Dodhia and he was assisted by Nathoo Deva Gudhka, Bharmal Kachara Gudhka and Motichand Depar Gudhka. After the death of Rupa Virpar Dodhia, his son, Devchand Rupshi Dodhia took over the management and Kanji Hirabhai Modi and Somchand Khetshi Savla assisted him. After India became independent, an act was passed that required that all religious organizations should be registered, that they should elect trustees and that the management should be under the elected trustees. Therefore, since then, seven trustees manage the temple, but their names were not available.

As monks and nuns (Sadhus and Sadhvis) started spending more time at the temple, it became necessary to have a bigger place for their lodging (Upashray). The original Upshray consisted of two small rooms and one bath. The management was able to acquire an old house across from the temple. The house was replaced with a new large Upshray. The temple has now enough facilities for monks and nuns.

Residents of Navagam moving to Mumbai and Africa:
To earn a living, some residents moved to Mumbai and some to Africa. The first person from Navagam to move to Africa (Kenya) via Mumbai was Nathoobhai Anand Mura Gudhka in 1911. He was later followed by his family members and several Oshwals from Navagam.

Both in Mumbai and Africa (Kenya), they initially worked for established businesses and after gaining experience and finances they opened their own retail shops. As they continued prospering they expanded into wholesale business and small industries. These people did not forget their homeland. They continued to provide support to their families and other residents of Navagam whenever they could.

Navagam Mitra Mandal – Africa (Navagam Friendship Circle) was established in Nairobi during the early period of the settlement and after completing whatever work needed to be done, it was disbanded. Later, the residents of Navagam living in Nairobi met on June 13, 1941 at Lakhamshi Nathoo’s shop and decided to re-establish the Navagam Mitra Mandal – Africa. The following office bearers were elected: President, Kanji Nathoo; Vice President, Hemraj Samji; Treasurer, Velji Khimchand; Secretary, Rupchand Hirji and Assistant Secretary, Somchand Kumbha. In addition, seven committee members were appointed.

The Mitra Mandal decided to raise money to start a Girls’ School, an English School, and a Dispensary in Navagam. The project consisted of renting three buildings, repairing the existing government Gujarati School and providing support to the needy. To carry out all of these activities, a decision was made to set up a Working Committee in Navagam. Approximately Kenya Sh.23,000 ($3,000) were collected. The funds were loaned to ten firms, Sh.2,000 each, and it was decided that interest income generated would be sent to Navagam to start the above activities.

The English School classes were started on March 1, 1943 in the government -owned Navagam Gujarati School on a part time basis. The Girls’ School was started on July 15, 1943 in a rented house, and the Dispensary was started on October 27, 1943 in a warehouse owned by Bharmal Kachara Gudhka. All these activities continued for about five years at a cost of about Sh.4,000 per year.

At the same time, the Navagam Gujarati School building and roads were repaired, and general cleaning of the village was also undertaken.

There was an expectation that once buildings for the English School, Girls’ School and the Dispensary were built, the Government would take over the management of these facilities. A Working Committee in Navagam decided to seek the government’s support. When the Committee inquired with appropriate Government Department in Jamnagar, they were told that there was a government-managed dispensary in Sapur, a nearby village, and therefore even if Navagam provided a building for the dispensary, the government would not take over the management. The Committee was also disappointed that it did not receive a satisfactory response from Government Departments regarding the management of the English School and the Girls’ School. Therefore, the three activities were closed down after five years. In the meantime, Navagam Jain Mitra Mandal (Navagam Jain Friendship Circle) was started in Mumbai to support activities in Navagam.

The land for building the Girls’ school and dispensary was donated by an individual (could not remember the name of this person). Hemraj Nathoobhai Gudhka provided the funds, in accordance with new government regulations, to build the Girls’ school and with Premchand Vrajpal Shah’s efforts, the school was accepted by the government. This school has highly improved girls’ education.

In 1954, Hemraj Nathoobhai established a charitable trust in Kenya. The interest income generated from this trust is used for the benefit of the people of Kenya. This trust provides financial contributions to support several educational institutions and hospitals. It also provides funds to poor Kenyans regardless of religious or community affiliations for school fees, scholarships, food, clothes, rents, etc. In Nairobi, both the Cutchhi Gujarati Primary School and High School have been supported by the trust. In India, he provided financial support to the Mumbai Mahajanwadi, Navagam Mahajanwadi, Palitana Oshwal Yatrik Gruh (hostel), schools in Mumbai, disaster relief funds and Kunvarbai Dharamshalal (Rest House) in Jamnagar. He has also supported a blind school and eye camps and several other institutions.

Navagam Primary Gujarati School:
The residents of Navagam had started the first rural school in the kingdom of Jam Bapu. Because of the residents’ demand, a primary Gujarati school was started in a rented house in 1908 (Savant 1964) and in 1927 (Savant 1983), the government built a new school building. At first, the school had classes to Standard (Grade) 5 and later on Standards 6,7 and 8 were added.

Navagam Nursery School:
The nursery school was built with the financial support of Devji Jethabhai Dodhia, Popatlal Virpal Dodhia and the government.

Navagam Animal Shelter (Gaushala):
This was built with the financial support of Meghji Kanji Bid.

Raid on Navagam by Outlaws (Highway Robbers):
Sometime after Savant 1960 (1904 A.D.), two famous outlaws, Charan Karia and Bhuriya, were raiding villages in Halar. They raided Dabasang around Savant 1968, and at that time another outlaw named Ratadi was also making raids on villages. One of the outlaws with his gang raided Navagam one evening (the exact month and year are not known). They entered the village by hiding in the herd of cattle returning in the evening after spending the day in outskirts grazing. As soon as the villagers heard about the outlaw gang, they closed their main gates leading to their houses. At that time there were several brave farmers like Depar Patel and Dhara Patel. They started shouting at the top of their voices and asked villagers to climb on the roofs of their houses and attack the robbers with stones and tiles. As soon as the robbers, who were hiding, came out in the open, the villagers started attacking them and some robbers were injured badly. The robbers left the village taking with them the injured members. As the gang left without much damage the villagers became fearless of outlaws. When this news spread to other villages in Halar, they applauded the courage and efforts of the people of Navagam.

Followers of Jain Religion in Navagam who took vows to become Ascetics:
1. Shah Depar Hira’s son’s widow Sonbai got an inclination for taking the vow of nunhood. Her brothers, Raisinh and Virpar Lakhani, who were living in Dabasang happily gave consent and arranged the ceremony for taking the vow in Dabasang. On Viashakh Sud 5, Savant 1959 (1903 A.D.), she took the vow, became disciple of Nun Kanakshreeji, and took the name Shumatishreeji.

2. Shah (Dodhia) Gosar Raja’s daughter Hirabai took the vow for nunhood on Magsar Sud 16, Savant 1981 (1925 A.D.), in Navagam from Monk Gautam Samarji Maharaj and she took the name Harakhshreeji.

3. Five ladies from Motichand Depar Gudhka’s family took the vow for nunhood at various times and they took the following names: (a) Jaibhadrashreeji, (b) Jaidharmashreeji, (c) Jeetpadmashreeji, (d) Jeetkalpashreeji, and (e) Jeendharmashreeji.

4. Other three ladies who took the vow for nunhood took the following names: (a) Padmayshashreeji, (b) Mahendraprabhashreeji and (c) Surendraprabhashreeji.

5. Hansraj Kara Savla took the vow of monkhood and took the name: Muniraj Harvijayji.

Original Residents of Navagam built Bhivandi’s Jain Temple:
The grandson of Devraj Depar (Gudhka), who was the first person from Navagam to settle in Mumbai, Ramji Meghji Gudhka, and his family built Shree Suvithinath Jain Temple in Bhivandi. The ceremony to install the idols was performed from April 27, 1985 to May 1, 1985. On May 1, when the idols were installed, Ramji Meghji Gudhka and his family arranged a grand feast for all Halari Visa Oshwals living in Thana District and Swetembari Jains living in Bhivandi.

Shree Visa Oshwal Jain Mahajanwadi, Navagam:
Nathoo Deva (Gudhka) offered to donate money to buy land and to build a boundary wall, two rooms, one dining hall and kitchen, and to equip it with needed utensils for a Mahajanwadi, but this offer was rejected because of an objection by an individual. When Premchand Gosar Dodhia from Kenya came to Navagam in 1955 and offered to donate money to build the Mahajanwadi, it was initially rejected, but later the villagers agreed to accept the offer. He bought land, built a boundary wall and a gate. There was still need to build other facilities such as rooms, a dining hall and kitchen and equip it with utensils. After some time when committee members of the Navagam Jain Mitra Mandal – Mumbai and others came to Navagam for a religious ceremony, they decided to work on completing the other facilities. They set up a sponsorship program. Hemraj Nathoobhai and several other donors provided funds. With the help Africa’s Navagam Mitra Mandal, Nairobi, who transferred all the funds they had, the construction and equipping of Mahajanwadi was completed. Africa’s Navagam Mitra Mandal (Nairobi) was dissolved around 1963 A.D.

Navagam Chhari Palit Religious Pilgrimage Organizers:
Originally of Navagam, but now residing in Mumbai, Popatlal Virpar Dodhia and his sons – Mansukhbhai, Rameshbhai, Sureshbhai and their family organized a Santrujay Tirth Chhari Palit religious pilgrimage. The pilgrims left from Navagam on February 8, 1987 under the leadership of Achariya Shree Vijay Jinendrasurji. Several monks and nuns and about 550 Jain devotees including organizers and volunteers joined in the religious pilgrimage.

The pilgrims were received in Palitana on March 1, 1987 with a tremendous reception. The one-kilometer long procession passed through the royal thoroughfare. Many foreign guests, devotees and local Jain leaders joined the procession. Members of the Navagam Jain Mitra Mandal – Mumbai and several other organizations received the pilgrims and honored the leaders of the caravan. In the evening, prayers and sacred songs were recited. About Rupees 18,000 were collected. On March 2, 1987, at 10 A.M., Achariya Shree Vijay Jinendrasuriji conducted a religious ceremony in the Dada’s courtyard and at 11.00 A.M. he was garlanded in the presence of a large crowd of devotees.

Murder of Two Mahajans in Navagam:
There is an old saying that “grain, farm and house are the roots of all disputes in villages”. Accordingly, one cruel incident took place in Navagam in mid-1980. One farmer from Mer community had bought a farm from Bharmal Lakhman and Amritlal Velji. Next to this farm, Vaghji Hirji owned some land. Vaghji Hirji filed a law suit against the Mer farmer to restrain him from using the water from the well located on the land owned by Vaghji Hirji, and to deny him passage through his land. The Mer started threatening Vaghjibhai who had to ask for police protection. This upset the Mer.

On November 22, 1985, in the early morning, Vaghjibhai and his wife Maniben were going to a bus station in a bullock driven cart. The Mer and his companions met them on the way and killed Vaghjibhai with a sword. Maniben started shouting for help so Velji Samat Dodhia came from the Mahajanwadi. The culprits started attacking him with swords. Veljibhai was taken to Jamnagar Irving Hospital for treatment but he died there. This incident shocked and scared the villagers. The attackers ran away, but they were eventually caught, tried in a court and sentenced.

Devchand Khimchand Gudhka, First Oshwal to settle in Kisumu, Kenya
Born in Navagam and died in Jamnagar in 1995, Devchandbhai completed education to Standard Five in the Navagam Gujarati School and then attended school in Sapar which had facilities for Gujarati classes Standard 6,7,and 8 and English classes Standard 1,2, and 3. Sapar is 3 to 4 miles from Navagam. He walked to the Sapar School every day for some time in the company of Lakhamshi Ladha, Hemraj Nathoo and Punja Hirji and then left for Africa.

In 1924, Devchandbhai joined Wali Hasan Company in Kisumu as an accountant. This was the beginning of settlement of Oshwals in Kisumu, the third largest town of Kenya.

In 1925, Devchandbhai left the employment and started his own shop in Kisumu. Any time after that all Oshwals who came to Kisumu looking for a job or business used to stay with Devchandbhai. He helped them find job or business, and thus more Oshwals started visiting Kisumu in search of jobs and businesses, increasing the number of Oshwals residents in Kisumu.

In 1929, he started a wholesale produce business in partnership with Fulchand Keshavji and Premchand Vrajpal.

In 1930, many other Oshwals came from other parts of Kenya and started business in Kisumu. Meghji Khimji Gudhka came from Nairobi to work for Devchandbhai in Kisumu.

In 1931, with the efforts of Fulchand Keshavji and Devchand Khimchand the Visa Oshwal Jain Community Mandal of Kisumu was started. The following office bearers were elected: President, Fulchand Keshavji; Vice-President, Devchand Khimchand; Treasurer, Tarachand Fulchand; Secretary, Jethalal Ghela; Asst. Secretary, Meghji Khimji. Also several committee members were elected.

Devchandbhai was an active social worker and was an executive committee member of several political, business and educational Associations of Kisumu

In 1932, Devchandbhai became a partner is the firm of Lakhamshi Nathoo of Nairobi and he moved to Nairobi. He closed his Kisumu firm, Devchand Khimchand, in 1933 and on October 1, 1933, Meghji Khimji Gudhka started his business in Kisumu. After Devchandbhai moved to Nairobi, Meghjibhai took over his place as the social worker and he became an active member of Oshwal and other public associations. In 1951, Meghjibhai moved to Mombasa and there also he participated actively in several Oshwal and public associations.

Jain idols have been installed in a room of Community Hall of the large Oshwal Mahajawadi in Kisumu. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Community Hall was performed by Meghji Khimji Gudhka and the opening ceremony was performed by Devchand Khimchand Gudhka. About 350 Oshwals reside in Kisumu who are mostly industrialists and businessmen.

Meghji Rupshi Dodhia of Navagam becomes Nyeri (Kenya) Social Worker:
Born in Navagam on September 13, 1909 and died in Nyeri on May 4, 1964, Meghji Rupshi Dodhia after completing his education to Standard Five in the Navagam Gujarati School worked as an Assistant for a little while in the school. He left for Africa in 1925.

At first, he worked for Kanji Mepa Company of Muranga (Fort Hall), and then opened his own produce business. He ran the business for ten years. In 1937 he worked for four years with Kenya Cotton Produce Company at Karatina. He left the employment in 1941, and opened a shop in Nyeri. With his dedication and hard work he became a very successful businessman. He took interest in several social activities of Indian, Oshwal and African associations and became well known as a public worker.

Meghjibhai was a very generous donor of the Visa Oshwal Community Mahajanwadi in Nyeri which has a small Jain temple (Ghar-Derasar). His donations to several healh related, educational and religious organizations are as follows:

· Provided building materials for the construction of Ithuru Primary School located five miles from Nyeri.

· Provided financial support for building an Asian Wing at the Nyeri General Hospital. The wing is named after him – Meghji Rupshi Ward.

· Provided funds for the construction of a ward at the Mount Kenya Hospital. The ward is named after him – Meghji Rupshi Ward.

· Construction of Hindu Mandir (Temple) and Rest House was made possible because of his untiring efforts, dedication and financial support. The opening ceremony of the rest house was performed by Meghjibhai.

He was an active supporter and a Committee Member of the Oshwal Education and Relief Board and after his death, his son Maganbhai has taken his place. Maganbhai has served as Chairman of the Board for two years. He is also active supporter of Oshwal community and other several associations in Nyeri.

Note by Somchand Ladhabhai Gudhka:
Oshwal community members of Navagam have settled in Jamnagar, Mumbai, Bhivandi, Indore and several other places in India, and overseas in several towns and cities of Africa and England for business purposes. Some of them have been active social workers of the Oshwal community and public associations and also have provided generous financial support. I have tried to present here a summary of the information I was able to collect. There may be some shortfalls. This article is already ten pages long and there has to be a limit on how much can be included in the article. I apologize if I have failed to mention about social work and donations of any Navagam Oshwal community members.

In the above article, Somchandbhai did not mention about his work in connection with improving welfare of all Oshwals. Therefore, we believe it would not be out of place to write a few word about him.

Somchand Ladhabhai Deva Gudhka
Somchandbhai was a leading member of our community with interests in social reforms, education and religion. He was also a historian and wrote many articles in several Oshwal magazines.

He was born in 1913 at Navagam, Jamnagar District, Gujarat, India and after a few years of schooling, he left for Kenya in 1926. He married Raniben Dhanani at Chela in 1931. After working with his relatives at several towns of Kenya including Mombasa, Nairobi, Muragwa, Fort Hall, Saba Saba and Thika, he started business in partnership in Nairobi in 1941. He moved to Mombasa in 1948 and ran his own business until 1974 when he migrated to UK. In UK pursued his main interest of reading and writing about the Halari Visa Oshwal community. He passed away on 20th April 2000 at Harrow in UK.

Somchandbhai was a very active social worker. He was an ardent supporter of the re-marriage by young widows in our community and against the practice of ‘LAJ’. He was Secretary of the Visa Oshwal Vanik Community, Mombasa in 1939 and Chairman of the Oshwal Youth League, Nairobi in the years 1944-45. After moving to Mombasa in 1948 he worked in various capacities in the managing committee of the Visa Oshwal Vanik Community, Mombasa and became its Chairman in the years 1972-73.

He took deep interest in Jain religion and participated in the activities of Shree Svetamber Deravashi Jain Sangh, Mombasa for twenty-one years. He was a member of the managing committee from 1951 to 1971 except for a few years in between. He served as Secretary, Vice-Chairman and in 1968 became its Chairman. He was one of the driving forces behind the construction of the new Shikarbandhi Derasar and the successful celebration of Pratistha Mahotsav in 1963.

His love for education is well known. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the M.M Shah Jain Primary School, M.V.Shah Nursery School and Oshwal Academy in Mombasa. He was Chairman of the Oshwal Academy Committee from its inception in 1968 to 1974. Within a short period of time, the Academy established its reputation as one of the best secondary schools in Mombasa.

At one time in 1940′s he was Editor of the community magazines ‘ Aagal Dhaso’ and ‘Jyotsna’. Since 1974 until his death his main interest was to write history of Oshwal. He traveled widely in India in search of information about the origin of Oshwals and their adoption of Jain religion, and met historians of various other Oshwal and Jain communities . He then wrote many serialized articles in ‘Oshwal Abhyuday’, ‘Halari Bandhu’ and ‘Oshwal Samachar’ published in Mumbai, and ‘Oshwal News’ published in London.

A thorough history of the Oshwal Community presented on the Oshwal Association of the UK website

Halari Visa Oshwal community is a very small community. At the beginning of this century, the population was between 10 to 12 thousands. By 1972, it had increased to 45 thousands and at present it is probably between 50 to 55 thousands, almost equally divided between India, Kenya, England with approximately 2,000 members in North America (USA and Canada). The latest migration has been to Australia. Most Oshwals are well informed and aware of their origin and are very proud of their heritage.

What follows is a historical resume of the Oshwal community. More detailed information on our heritage is available from our elders. The origin of the name “Oshwal” is probably tied to a small village in the Indian State of Rajesthan named Ossiya. At the site of Ossiya, once there was a large city there. The ancient names by which this city was known at various time were Uplesh Pattan, Urkesh, Melpur Pattan and Navmeri.

According to an Uplesh publication written in 14th Century, Shree Ratna Prabhu Shvarji, the 7th Acharya in the line of Shree Parshvanath’s sect, came here with his five hundred disciples in year 70 after Mahavira Nirvana. The city at that time was ruled by King Upaldev and his very able minister Uhad. After receiving proper guidance from Acharya, the King, his minister and more than thousand Rajput soldiers gave up alcohol and meat and adopted Jainism. The Acharya gave this group the name Oshwals. Thus, a new Jain sect of Oshwal Gaccha, the ancestors of the Oshwal community, came into existence.

However, according to another publication “Ossiya Vir Stavan” written in 1721 by Naya Pramod, a disciple of Hir Udya, the city of Ossiya was founded in 1011 and the conversion by Acharya took place in 1017. But in the historical documents published in the city of Bhinmal, it is mentioned that Minister Uhad left Bhinmal and founded the city in year 70 after Mahavira Nirvana. Also, in the documents available from city of Korta there is a mention of a conversion of a large group to Jainism by Acharya Shree Ratna Prabhu Suri Shvarji in Ossiya in the year 70 after Mahavira Nirvana.

Therefore, from the several historical accounts, it appears that the Oshwal Gaccha was established in the year 70 after Mahavira Nirvana by Acharya Shree Ratna Prabhu Suri Shvarji, a leader of lord Parshvanath’s sect.

Around 10th or 12th century AD, because of adverse natural conditions, a small number of these Oshwal Mahajans left the village of Ossiya in search of better life and migrated to Sindh – what now is called West Pakistan. The conditions in Sindh were not any better. So, they continued the migration southwards into Kutch, now a part of the State of Gujarat and settled in Vagad district. Later on, some moved to Kanthi district.

Around 1535, a small group of Oshwals of Vagad District suddenly left Kutch and moved to Saurashtra. As usual, there are two stories as to why this happened. One, a real story and the other a fictional one.

The legendary story is very interesting. It is said that Oshwals of Kankoth of Vagad District, after holding a feast in memory of a death, discarded the left over ghee. As it happened, one of the Prince’s horse slipped in this discarded ghee and injured itself. The Prince filed a complaint with his father, the King. Fearing a retaliation, some of the participants of this feast left the village in the dark of the night and moved to Saurashtra.

However, the historical fact is that in the 16th century AD, the Kutch was ruled by two brothers, Jam Hamirji and Jam Rawal of Jareja Rajput family. As a result of internal conflict, Jam Rawal assassinated Jam Hamirji and seized the properties. Hamirji’s heirs with the help of their friends defeated Jam Rawal, who than fled with his followers, some of whom were Oshwals of Vagad District, crossed the desert of Kutch and established a settlement around city of Khamhaliya of Halar district, naming it the capitol. Later on, the settlement spread eastwards and a new capitol was founded which was named after Jam Rawal as Jam Nagar. To this day, the Oshwal settlements still exists in the 52 villages between these two cities, though the number of villages with Oshwal settlements now may be as high as 80. That is why we are known as Halari Oshwals and our mother tongue still remains Kutchi. Those who stayed back are called Kutchi Oshwals. By profession, our ancestors were mostly farmers and traders, some were money lenders and a few were even hired hands.

Oshwals are divided into 25 to 30 groups by Atak (surnames) such as Bid, Chandaria, Dodhia, Gada, Galaiya, Gosrani, Sumaria, etc. Majority of the Oshwals are followers of Jain religion. Approximately 1% are follower of Swami Narayan religion, most of these come from same village of Dewalia and were probably converted in mid 19th century.

There is a strong bond among the community members as we come from a small geographical area. We have prospered wherever we have settled because of our entrepreneur spirit and the desire to improve the quality of our life. Regardless of where in the world Oshwals live, we have maintained a common cultural, social and economical background.

Migration of Halari Visa Oshwals
Migration within India
Between years 1880 and 1890, due to hardships, a small group left their homes and went to Bombay, Karachi, Ahmedabad and Hydrabad where they mostly worked in the shops of Kutchi Oshwals. When the financial situation improved, they opened their own small businesses and even ventured into small industries.

Migration to Africa
Around year 1896, a few young men crossed the Indian Ocean in dhows (small sailing ships) and settled down in Island of Madagascar and in Kenya around 1899. Some of these Oshwals were only 12 to 13 years old and the voyage took several months, often up to six months.

Migration to the West
The Oshwals’ recent migration to England began in the 1960′s and to North America in the middle 1960s. The first group of Oshwals came to North America to further their education and professional careers. After their education, many Oshwals entered the job market and found new opportunities attractive enough to settle in America. This first group was made up mostly of student bachelors who returned to their home land (India and East Africa) to find suitable mates to start families and establish roots in America. A small number married Americans. Oshwals in America have preserved their culture, tradition, and religion and have organized several social and religious functions.

In the mid 1970s, a second group of Oshwal immigrants came here due to the unsettled political situation in East Africa. The majority of these Oshwals settled in Canada. This second group was primarily composed of families who were resettling in America.

During the 1980s, most Oshwal immigrants have been relatives of the first and second group. These immigrants received support from the early immigrants which made their transition a little easier. Due to uncoordinated arrivals, there is no clear accounting or census of the total number of Oshwals in America.

Current State
As the time passed, Oshwals have recognized the need for a united body and improved communications among all Oshwals in America as well as the world. The first Oshwals of America gathering was organized in 1986 in New Jersey by the residents of both New Jersey and New York states. A second annual “get together” was held in Connecticut in 1987. The success of these two gatherings led to a third annual get together in Massachusetts in 1988. The significance of this third annual event was the formation of the “HALARI VISA OSHWALS of AMERICA”. The fourth annual get together was held in New York state in 1989. Since than, an annual gathering is held on Thanksgiving weekend. These annual events display our unity and determination to continue Oshwal traditions, culture, and religion. We hope to add additional services to bring American Oshwals together and also serve as a community resource for the recent Oshwal immigrants and visitors. Some of the activities undertaken were collection of funds for the drought relief in Halar in 1988 and scholarships for deserving Oshwal students in India.

——————————————————————————–

Additional information on Oshwals is available in the following publications:

“Oshwal History” by Somchand Premchand Shah
“Indian Businessman in Kenya During the 20th Century, Case Study” by Zarwan John Irving.
“Through Open Doors, A View of Asian Cultures in Kenya” by Cynthia Salvadori
The first two publications are available from Anila or Gulab Shah of South Hadley, MA, Tel:413-536-6017. The third publication is available at a cost of $100 from Paperchase Kenya Ltd, P.O. Box 18800, Nairobi, Kenya.

Article in Jain Spirit Magazine by Priti Shah