The Afghan Muslims

Little is known about the Afghan Muslims of Guyana, in fact, some maybe amazed to learn that Afghans made their way to Guyana among the Indian Muslims from 1838- 1916. When Indian indentured labourers began arriving in Guyana from 1838, India was already conquered and assimilated by Persians, Central Asian Turks, Arabs, Afghans, Greeks, Hazaris, Baluchis, among other Muslim clans who settled in India's large cities. The dominant minority, the Muslims settled in large cities such as Ahmadabad, Allahabad, Delhi, Karachi, Lahore, Bihar, Ghazipur, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. These exotic people found great economic opportunities in India and they were encouraged to migrate to the Metropolis by the Mughal Emperors. In India in 1857 many Afghan Pathans, rose up against the British and many were executed, jailed or sent overseas. Many of these "trouble makers" were sent to Guyana.

Immigration Cetificates of Pathans who came to Guyana

JS
Good work tracing these Afghani people.
Are these Pathans relatives of yours or ???
I see your name on them, so your relations.
I commend you on finding these historical docs.

Keep up the good work. Well worth the efforts if only for history's sake.
RQ

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jansher:
The Afghan Muslims

Little is known about the Afghan Muslims of Guyana, in fact, some maybe amazed to learn that Afghans made their way to Guyana among the Indian Muslims from 1838- 1916. When Indian indentured labourers began arriving in Guyana from 1838, India was already conquered and assimilated by Persians, Central Asian Turks, Arabs, Afghans, Greeks, Hazaris, Baluchis, among other Muslim clans who settled in India's large cities. The dominant minority, the Muslims settled in large cities such as Ahmadabad, Allahabad, Delhi, Karachi, Lahore, Bihar, Ghazipur, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. These exotic people found great economic opportunities in India and they were encouraged to migrate to the Metropolis by the Mughal Emperors. In India in 1857 many Afghan Pathans, rose up against the British and many were executed, jailed or sent overseas. Many of these "trouble makers" were sent to Guyana.

Immigration Cetificates of Pathans who came to Guyana

JS
To know history is one thing, to know our own history is far greater. Not knowing our own ancestry is worst. Hope GNIers appreciate the info you have provided on this forum.
I commend you on your efforts to educate us all.
RQ

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS
Good work tracing these Afghani people.
Are these Pathans relatives of yours or ???
I see your name on them, so your relations.
I commend you on finding these historical docs.

Keep up the good work. Well worth the efforts if only for history's sake.
RQ

I do it in memory of our great ancestors. No, i have not posted Jehangir's Immigation Pass as yet. He was a Muslim of Afghan/Pathan origin. When i wrote the paper about the Afghan Muslims of Guyana I was jeered and many accused of trying to reinvent my ancestry. RQ empthy drums make a lot of noise and those are the many who are clueless of their ancestry, however am here to push them to seek their past.

I put my name on these papers since it been hard work and hard money to get these historical documents on line.

Ray,
Here's the history of my great grandfather, Gool Mohamed Khan. It's a wonderful and fascinating story of a man who I revere as a true adventurer with a powerful legacy. Hopefully, someday I will try to immortalize his life with a biography. I hope you enjoy the pleasure of reading this short piece about his life.
If you have any additional information of Gool Mohamed Khan I would certainly appreciate it.
Khan.
Gool Mohamed Khan
*****************
My maternal great grandfather, Gool Mohamed Khan, was born in 1853 in a small village of Moorni of the Nasruddin Khel tribe in the District of Dir in Afghanistan. He received his early education in various schools and mosques. At the age of sixteen he passed his examination in Arabic, that is, in Fiqa, Sirf and Naho.

On February 14, 1869, at the age of sixteen, he started out on foot from Afghanistan to India since there were no railways or other means of conveyance at the time. He went to India to bring his brother back to Afghanistan as his mother was anxious to see him. His brother was residing in Jaroa State, Rajputana, India. Gool Mohamed completed the journey in 54 days on foot. Gool Mohamed stayed in India for four years. He resided partly with his brother and partly in the service of the Prince.

On learning his mother had died, Gool Mohamed Khan returned to Afghanistan alone in 1873. In August 1874, he went to India and joined the British Regiment. While there he learned Urdu, Nagri and Mathematics. He resigned from the regiment and decided to go to British Guiana in search of a better life.

He arrived in British Guiana on May 11, 1877. While waiting at the Depot to be drafted to work on the sugar plantation, he was fortuitously recruited to join the Police Force. In his book, "Unity v Trinity, he recorded his arrival in British Guiana and his accidental recruitment to the Police Force: "I arrived in Guiana on 11th May, 1877 and whilst waiting to be drafted to some batch for the sugar plantation, it happened that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Payne, was passing by the Depot, when I saluted him as I took him to be an officer. He drew his horse and put some questions to me in English, which I was unable to answer; an interpreter was called in and I was asked if I would join the Police Force. I readily consented as I had learnt to my cost that the supposed El Dorado existed only in air not even in paper.


I was guided by other European Police officers for six months. Fortunately I was able to pick up a little English as much to enable me to perform my duties. It was just a paradox for an Afghan to learn English in those days. One day whilst I was on duty a gentleman ( who I subsequently leamt was Reverend Darnell, a priest of Christ Church) asked me if I would give him lessons in Nagri. I agreed provided he taught me English in return. The pact was signed and we were both master and pupil during our respective periods".

During this time, Gool Mohamed Khan was not involved in religious activities. As he indicated in his book, "Unity vs Trinity",... "Unfortunately I had no knowledge of Islamic History" and when asked by Reverend Darnell why he did not attend church, he replied: "I have no interest in church". Reverend Darnell gave him a book written by Reverend Founder and Gool Mohamed Khan later revealed ".... the perusal of the book lent by Reverend Darnell had such an impression on me that had I not had a sound belief in Islam I would have changed my religion".

As a result of the criticisms made by the Christian community of the Prophet Mohamed and Islam, Gool Mohamed Khan was motivated to educate himself about the Koran as well as the Bible. Thus, followed the historic debates and discourses with the religious leaders of the Christian Church that resulted in the publication of his book, "Unity v Trinity" . The first edition of the book was published in 1910 in British Guiana. After it was later discovered, his niece, Begum Akhter Jahan Khan, published the Third Edition of the book in August, 1988 in Pakistan. In her publisher's note, she laudably said "...the book is a veritable illustration of a noble act of propagation of Islam and the Unity of Allah".
Gool Mohamed Khan had a great zeal and fervor for learning more about Islam and other religions. He devoted a considerable amount of time increasing his religious knowledge by reading and educating himself. He appeared to have enjoyed reveling in discussions and debates. He stated: "I found an interest in the argument, and in a short time, I collected over a hundred books, and pamphlets of different religions. I resigned from the Police Force in 1879, and started my own business, but I was so deeply engrossed that I was always inclined to have an argument with someone, whether Hindu, Christian, or anyone, but the result was creating more bad feeling than benefit. I afterwards discontinued it but still now and then, when my presence was necessary, I used to go and help my Muslim brethren. "

Another historical achievement of Gool Mohamed Khan while he was in British Guiana, was his major involvement in the construction of "The Juma Masjid" in Church Street, Georgetown. The mosque still exists even today. In 1947, an article entitled "Do You Know Your Georgetown? The Juma Masjid, Where Muslims Worship" was published in The Guiana Graphic, a newspaper in British Guiana. The first three paragraphs of the article stated: " The Juma Masjid, or Mosque, the place of worship of Muslims resident in Georgetown and its eastern suburbs, is a work of architectural beauty and eastern charm. Residents in Queenstown, or those citizens who pass Church Street, Queenstown, cannot help but being struck by the magnificent domes of the Juma Masjid standing supremely, yea majestically, lifting one's thoughts with a sudden jerk to those lands of the East, where minarets abound and shady palms bid welcome to the traveller. The foundation stone of the mosque was laid 52 years ago, in 1895, and the building completed the following year, when it was opened for worship under the late Mr. Gool Mohamed Khan, as the first Imam".

The article later indicated: "... the late Mr. Gool Mohamed Khan, a prominent Muslim Indian merchant, in the year 1895 got together a band of fellow Muslims, and it was decided to erect an edifice worthy of the lofty ideals of Islam". According to Begum Akhter Jahan Khan's Publisher Note in the Third Edition of "Unity v Trinity", she mentioned that she got most of the information of her grandfather, Gool Mohamed Khan, from two of his daughters, Mrs. R. A. Hakam (nee Husnara Khan), her aunt, and Mrs. G. A. Wahab (nee Gulshanara Khan), her mother.

Both Husnara and Gulshanara were born in British Guiana. " Mrs. Hakam was an active member of the Pakistan Movement and was one of the few Muslim women who worked with Mohamed Ali Jinnah and contributed immensely to the cause of Pakistan. Mrs. Hakam played a pivotal role for the emancipation of Muslim women in India and Pakistan including East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and dedicated herself for the uplift of their social and moral standards and for the cause of female education. She was the first lady Honorary Magistrate in Calcutta (1927) and an elected Member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly (1946).


Widely travelled and respected, Mrs. Hakam was the founder and office-bearer of a number of social and cultural organizations. Her husband late Mr. Abdul Hakam belonged to an orthodox Muslim family and was a Zamindar (landlord) of Calcutta. He was learned and highly respected in the society. My late mother, Mrs. G. A. Wahab and my late father Dr. A. Wahab actively participated in social and welfare activities, and played dominant roles in promoting education. Mrs. Wahab, however, dedicated herself to the cause of Muslim women and Islam and vigorously pursued her missionary zeal to bring about radical changes in Muslim women's attitude towards developing modern education and the Islamic way of life."


Based on the information I have gotten, Gool Mohamed Khan had nine children as follows: Jahanara Khan, Raffudin Khan, Husnara Khan, Shahabuddin Khan, Gulshanara Khan, Mohiuddin Khan, Badruddin Khan, Najmuddin Khan, and Kamaluddin Khan. Gool Mohamed Khan left Guyana about 1911. However, before his departure with his family to India, he decided to leave two of his children, Jahanara and Raffudin, with his friend, Wazir Khan. It was learned that Gool Mohammed and Wazir Khan were also indirectly related as they had married two sisters. It is not known why Gool Mohamed Khan left Jahanara and Raffuddin in British Guiana, but it is assumed that he had intended to return for them later.

Since Gool Mohamed Khan had a large family, and Wazir Khan and his wife did not have any children, perhaps Gool Mohamed Khan felt the two children would be better cared for, at least temporarily, until he was resettled in India. Jehanara and Raffuddin never did leave British Guiana. In 1913, Jehanara was married to Abdool Azeez and had four children: Zamirudeen, Hajra Kartoon, Amna Kartoon, and Khairoon Nesa. Unfortunately, in 1922, Jehanara died prematurely at the age of 28 years.
Later, in 1926, Raffuddin was married to Nazeeran (also known as Charlotte) and had six children: Kamal Uddin, Jamaluddin, Jalall Uddin, Safi Uddin, Shahabuddin, and Saleema. In 1989, Raffuddin passed away. He was 86 years old. Although Gool Mohamed Khan did not return to British Guiana, his son, Shahabuddin, later visited. It was learned that Shahabuddin met with his brother, Raffuddin, and the children of Raffuddin and Jehanara.


After that visit, there was no evidence of communication or contact between Gool Mohamed Khan and his family in India (Pakistan) and his relatives in British Guiana. However, one of Gool Mohamed Khan's grandson-in-law, Muhammad Abbas Ali, also known as Major Abbas Ali, who lives in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, has been instrumental in reuniting the long separated family members. Major Abbas Ali is married to Sarwar Jahan, daughter of Gulshanara Khan and granddaughter of Gool Mohamed Khan. The reunification of the family is a fascinating and miraculous story.


I learned that Major Abbas was at a travel agency in Toronto, Canada where he was arranging his trip to Guyana to trace the family and history of Gool Mohamed Khan. He informed the travel agent of the purpose of his visit to Guyana. Based on the last name, "Khan", the travel agent knew Roshan Deen Khan (R. D. Khan) and felt that there might be a relationship. He then contacted Roshan Deen Khan and informed him about Major Abbas who was looking for relatives of Gool Mohamed Khan. Coincidentally, Roshan Deen Khan happened to be one of the great grandsons of Gool Mohamed Khan. With this wonderful development in our family history, we are fortunate to make contact among the numerous family members of Gool Mohamed Khan. Most importantly, we are now able to work toward enhancing our history and family tree. Obviously, there appears to be some truth in the proverbial saying "as long as we are related we shall meet".

Prepared by Deen Ameerullah (Great grandson of Gool Mohamed Khan)

Hey

This is a fab story with great connections.
Should be published and taught in schools.
We know everyone else's history but our own.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Hey

This is a fab story with great connections.
Should be published and taught in schools.
We know everyone else's history but our own.

Many are busy dancing to "wine and go down, and rum till me dead." Or just hating.

Jan not to mention that many have accused you of manufacturing a Pathan connection - that there no Pathans came to Guyana.

quote:

Originally posted by BK:
Jan not to mention that many have accused you of manufacturing a Pathan connection - that there no Pathans came to Guyana.

What differentiate myself from them is the fact that i know who am ; where i come from. I am armed with my history. Yes, they harrased, jeered and taunted me for years from cyber to Sabroek News.

Can you post some of the Pathan passes that you may posses as well please. AM exonerated, and everyone is yapping about this aspect of our history.

I am differ fm the yapping masses.
I praise, respect and love historians.
Else I would be a real dunce or as meh mamoo used to seh 'numbskull' as I am
bout meh hown famili hi'story'.

What is the time now in yr lil corna??

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Hey

This is a fab story with great connections.
Should be published and taught in schools.
We know everyone else's history but our own.

Many are busy dancing to "wine and go down, and rum till me dead." Or just hating.

I do not know about dem chutney songs.
meh live in meh hown world, meh hown space.

Remember Jesus parable about the sower & the seeds. Many fell on waysides, birds ate them, among thorns, rocks, they died, but some fell on good ground and they sprouted & became large trees. Trees give shelter to birds and animals and human beings. Though they chop the tree down for firewood, they will die fm starvation;
no trees no food.

You are a strong tree and can withstand the storms and woodcutters as well cause you are the JanSher-strong life like the LION!!!LOL!

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Hey

This is a fab story with great connections.
Should be published and taught in schools.
We know everyone else's history but our own.

Many are busy dancing to "wine and go down, and rum till me dead." Or just hating.

I do not know about dem chutney songs.
meh live in meh hown world, meh hown space.

Remember Jesus parable about the sower & the seeds. Many fell on waysides, birds ate them, among thorns, rocks, they died, but some fell on good ground and they sprouted & became large trees. Trees give shelter to birds and animals and human beings. Though they chop the tree down for firewood, they will die fm starvation;
no trees no food.

You are a strong tree and can withstand the storms and woodcutters as well cause you are the JanSher-strong life like the LION!!!LOL!

Hhahaa, indeed, you know urdu well.
Its 7;05 here. When you are planning to see India again and Guyana? keep me posted. How is the research progressing?

Had a good laugh!!!

I do know some Hindi and some Urdu.
Can read, write and speak somewhat,
considering my parents and uncles
spoke it but not to us. Wish they did.

I have a question? How will you locate the villages in the Districts fm the Passes you posted here?? Is there any on-line map sites I can check that have details of the Districts.
I have tried MapsofIndia, but theirs do not have villages or the Thana or Mahalla on EP.
Any suggestions? Remember the AU guys yu saw at the Archive in GY? Mom got the passes but wanted to know how to find the villages??

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Had a good laugh!!!

I do know some Hindi and some Urdu.
Can read, write and speak somewhat,
considering my parents and uncles
spoke it but not to us. Wish they did.

I have a question? How will you locate the villages in the Districts fm the Passes you posted here?? Is there any on-line map sites I can check that have details of the Districts.
I have tried MapsofIndia, but theirs do not have villages or the Thana or Mahalla on EP.
Any suggestions? Remember the AU guys yu saw at the Archive in GY? Mom got the passes but wanted to know how to find the villages??

You need someone who is familiar with UP and BIhar to look the passes. Maps wont have all the villages. Many villages are too small and remote and are not on maps. I was able to find. Sometimes the villages, police station, district, etc are incorrectly spelled and we can identify that. BK was trained in this area, and worked with a group of people when had plans to undertake the project. Ask her to give you some state, police station and village.

Thana= police station. You need to go to the Tana and they will find you the village if we cant help you. Suresh pillai as well can help.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Thana= police station. You need to go to the Tana and they will find you the village if we cant help you. Suresh pillai as well can help.

Thought thana meant admin office.
Who is Suresh Pillai???
Where is he located??

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
Had a good laugh!!!

I do know some Hindi and some Urdu.
Can read, write and speak somewhat,
considering my parents and uncles
spoke it but not to us. Wish they did.

I have a question? How will you locate the villages in the Districts fm the Passes you posted here?? Is there any on-line map sites I can check that have details of the Districts.
I have tried MapsofIndia, but theirs do not have villages or the Thana or Mahalla on EP.
Any suggestions? Remember the AU guys yu saw at the Archive in GY? Mom got the passes but wanted to know how to find the villages??

You need someone who is familiar with UP and BIhar to look the passes. Maps wont have all the villages. Many villages are too small and remote and are not on maps. I was able to find. Sometimes the villages, police station, district, etc are incorrectly spelled and we can identify that. BK was trained in this area, and worked with a group of people when had plans to undertake the project. Ask her to give you some state, police station and village.

I figure out some of the info, only could not find the villages as written.
will check and post the name.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Thana= police station. You need to go to the Tana and they will find you the village if we cant help you. Suresh pillai as well can help.

Thought thana meant admin office.
Who is Suresh Pillai???
Where is he located??

Yes, on the first question
Google and you will find him.
India

AM not into the vulgar chutneys.. they make mno sense , no meaning.

By the way you read that three surinamese will star in a bollywood film?

JS & BK

Man's pass
District - Shahjahanpur,
Thana - Nigohi
Village - Yalgaon/Falgaon??

Woman's pass
District - Rae Bareli
Thana - Bachraon
Village - Gajiyapur

Thana on the woman's pass is spelled incorrect as per the map I found. Will send map.
What is the email address to this forum??

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS & BK

Man's pass
District - Shahjahanpur,
Thana - Nigohi
Village - Yalgaon/Falgaon??

Woman's pass
District - Rae Bareli
Thana - Bachraon
Village - Gajiyapur

Thana on the woman's pass is spelled incorrect as per the map I found. Will send map.
What is the email address to this forum??

rchickrie@hotmail.com

Shahjahanpur is in Bihar right?
Rae Bareli is in UP

On the women's pass could that village be Ghazipur?

Bk and I will look at this.

Did you find some info about Pillai. I will try and get his email for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Thana= police station. You need to go to the Tana and they will find you the village if we cant help you. Suresh pillai as well can help.

Thought thana meant admin office.
Who is Suresh Pillai???


Where is he located??

Yes, on the first question
Google and you will find him.
India

AM not into the vulgar chutneys.. they make mno sense , no meaning.

By the way you read that three surinamese will star in a bollywood film?

I recall the Pillai guy.

Did not hear about the Surinamese & B'wood.
I do not like rude chutney as they are sicko.!!
eg; Lotay la - disgraceful to 'bougies'.
u'stand the linga, know the meaning of words.
If chu'ers knew the meaning, they would boycott
the songs and not support this kind a crap.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Thana= police station. You need to go to the Tana and they will find you the village if we cant help you. Suresh pillai as well can help.

Thought thana meant admin office.
Who is Suresh Pillai???


Where is he located??

Yes, on the first question
Google and you will find him.
India

AM not into the vulgar chutneys.. they make mno sense , no meaning.

By the way you read that three surinamese will star in a bollywood film?

I recall the Pillai guy.

Did not hear about the Surinamese & B'wood.
I do not like rude chutney as they are sicko.!!
eg; Lotay la - disgraceful to 'bougies'.
u'stand the linga, know the meaning of words.
If chu'ers knew the meaning, they would boycott
the songs and not support this kind a crap.

sach hey mere behen, if only they knew.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:
JS & BK

Man's pass
District - Shahjahanpur,
Thana - Nigohi
Village - Yalgaon/Falgaon??

Woman's pass
District - Rae Bareli
Thana - Bachraon
Village - Gajiyapur

Thana on the woman's pass is spelled incorrect as per the map I found. Will send map.
What is the email address to this forum??

rchickrie@hotmail.com

Shahjahanpur is in Bihar right?
Rae Bareli is in UP

On the women's pass could that village be Ghazipur?

Bk and I will look at this.

Did you find some info about Pillai. I will try and get his email for you.

Both locations is in UP. Shahjahapur and Rae Bareli as per the UP map from Maps of India.