SAGRANI HISTORY

The forefather of Saghranis was Diwan Mavaldas Manohardas. He was born around the year 1700 at Dera Ghazi Khan. His family priest was Mr. Khanchand son of Mr. Sanbhnomal.

Diwan Mavaldas knew Farsi (Persian) and was a Diwan in the Court of the Kalhoras and stayed at Khudabad near Dadoo.

Diwan Mavaldas sired two sons: - M/s. Sagharmal and Nagarmal. The Saghranis are named after Mr. Sagharmal and the Nagranis are named after Mr. Nagarmal.

Diwan Sagharmal was born in the year 1730 at Khudabad. He had two sons named M/s. Dharmdas and Rajaram born in 1752 and 1754 respectively.

In the year 1759, during the Kalhora reign, Khosas (a caste among Muslims) looted and burnt Khudabad. Diwan Mavaldas and his family moved towards Halla and settled at a city named New Khudabad that had been constructed by those who had earlier fled from old Khudabad.

Around the time when Mir Fatehali Khan defeated the Kalhoras and took over as the new ruler of Sind, New Khudabad was inundated by River Sindhu. Mir Fatehali Khan then chose Hyderabad (Naren Kot) as his capital city.

New Khudabad almost became a ghost city with most of the Hindus migrating to Hyderabad where they occupied land extending from the Fort to Chhotki Ghitti. At the time when Saghranis came to Hyderabad, Mukhti Ghitti was already inhabited by the Bhaibunds. See Daswani chapter. Diwan Mavaldas had very cordial relationship with the ruler of Sind and managed to get plots of land at prime locations. Then came the Amils who occupied plots from Chhotki Ghitti to Seray Ghat.

Seth (Diwan) Tarachand Saghrani was a very influential man and headed the Bhaibund panchayat as its Mukhi. Municipalities did not exist in those days. The Panchayats looked after the functions of sanitation, roads, lighting etc. When the Amils came to Hyderabad they were part and parcel of one panchayat that was formed by the Bhaibunds with Seth Tarachand as its Mukhi. Later they formed their own panchayat resulting in Amils, Bhaibunds and Mukhis being identified separately. The name Mukti Ghitti means street of the Mukhis.

Family Tree: -

Saghrani: - Mukhi Sagharmal had two sons: M/s. Dharamdas (1753-1802) and Rajaram (1754-1786).

Mukhi Dharamdas Sagharmal sired four sons: M/s. Assanand (Assandas), Majlasrai, Tarachand and Valiram. All the four sons were born at New Khudabad near Halla.

Their roots are as follows: Mukhi Assanand Dharamdas was born in 1780 at New Khudabad. After moving to Hyderabad they lived in Mukti Ghitti. Mukhi Assanand and his brothers were Shroffs (Bankers) and dealt in spices and grain (General Produce) as well. Theirs was a joint family business.

Mukhi Assanand married Bhai Uttamchand’s (Uttamchandani) sister and sired two sons: M/s. Tilokchand and Basantrai. Mukhi Assanand also had two daughters. The eldest daughter married Munshi Takhatram Manshiani (Advani). Mukhi Assanand expired in the year 1838. Mukhi Tilokchand Assandas was born around the year 1810. After his father’s demise he separated from his uncles (chacha).

In the year 1854 Mukhi Tilokchand separated from his brother Mukhi Basantrai and moved to a separate house in the same street. Mukhi Tilokchand was a trader. Mukhi Basantrai, the second son of Mukhi Assanand was born in the year 1826. He separated from his elder brother Mukhi Tilokchand and did his own business. Mukhi Basantrai was smart, swift, and adventurous and made a success of his venture. Mukhi Basantrai worked for the upliftment of the community and stood side by side with his cousin Mukhi Hiranand Tarachand in the Panchayat activities.

Mukhi Dharamdas’ second son Mukhi Majlasrai was born in the year 1785 and expired in 1840. His son Mukhi Varandmal (1800-1871) did not have any children. Mukhi Varandmal adopted a son named Sobhraj from his in law’s family. Mukhi Sobhraj was a cloth merchant and later ventured out to Rangoon Burma for Sindwork (business).

Mukhi Dharamdas Sagharmal’s third son Mukhi Tarachand was born in the year 1787 at New Khudabad, near Halla. On the demise of Mukhi Dharamdas in 1802, his two sons Mukhi Assanand and Mukhi Majlasrai separate from the family. Mukhi Tarachand and Mukhi Valiram, the two other younger brothers, remained together. Mukhi Tarachand was a brilliant and smart man. He surpassed the two elder brothers in trade and prosperity. Mukhi Tarachand enjoyed good reputation in the community and was elected as The Head Mukhi of the Bhaibund Panchayat.

It was around this time that the Amils from Khudabad and other places came to Hyderabad. As the Amils did not have a panchayat of their own, they joined the existing Bhaibund panchayat of Hyderabad that was headed by Mukhi Tarachand. The Mukhis thereafter dominated the post for ge nerations.

In 1843 the British went to war with the Mirs. Panicking, the residents fled to safer ground. Mukhi Tarachand and his cousins sent their ladies and children to Lakhpat for safety. Most Hindu males including Mukhi Tarachand stayed behind.

In the battle that pursued, on 19th Feb 1843, the Mirs were defeated and Sir Charles Nepier entered Hyderabad and took control of the city. Mukhi Tarachand and other residents of Hyderabad feared reprisal and apprehended looting from the hands of the British forces.

Mukhi Tarachand along with four others met Sir Charles Nepier and pleaded with him to confine his forces to barracks and not to allow them to enter the city. They, the residents of Hyderabad undertook to provide them with food and other rations that the British forces needed and deliver it to them in their camp. Sir Charles conceded to their request. The British forces remained out side the city. The residents of Hyderabad provided the rations and panchayat footed the bill.

Sir Charles Nepier met Mukhi Tarachand and others in his camp at Gidu Bunder and thanked the Mukhi for the far sightedness they had and for the food that they had supplied. In appreciation, Sir Charles gifted the camp area to Mukhi Tarachand. The camp area came to be called ‘Mukhian Ji Khari’ i.e. ‘The Heel of the Mukhis”.

Mukhi Tarachand’s son Mukhi Hiranand was a brilliant, wise and a just man. He supported his father in all respects and followed his footsteps. He maintained friendly and cordial relationship with the Mirs. Mukhi Hiranand visited Mir's Court daily and Mirs had a high regard for him and treated him with due respect and honor.

On the death of Mukhi Hiranand in the year 1873, his son Mukhi Sukhramdas became head Mukhi. Before taking any decisions on important civic matters he consulted his cousin Mukhi Chandumal Valiram who was elder to him in age.

In 1897, Mukhi Gurdinomal, Mukhi Sukhramdas’ son inherited his father’s seat as the Chief Mukhi. Together with Mukhi Pritamdas he managed the affairs of the panchayat. On his demise in 1908 his son, Mukhi Harkishindas also managed the affairs of panchayat in consultation with Mukhi Pritamdas. Thereafter Mukhi Pritamdas’ sons Mukhi Jethanand and Mukhi Gobindram gave their guidance to him. His son Mukhi Mangharam then joined Mr. Mackenzie, an Irish Barrister, as a partner at Karachi and was with him for two years. Subsequently, he together with his brother Mukhi Harkishindas, he established Hyderabad Electric Company and made it into a successful venture.

Mukhi Mangharams elder son Mukhi Parsram was admitted to Victoria College at Alexandria in Egypt. After doing his M.A. & LL.B. he practiced Law with Mr. Santdas Mangharam Advocate. In the year 1947, he was a Judge at Shahdadpur, his second son Mukhi Jio was born in London in the year 1928. At the age of thirteen he passed his Matric. In 1947, he was doing his M.A. & LL.B. Mukhi Hiranands second son Mukhi Vishindas was born in 1844, he a quiet and soft-spoken man and loved to dress well and travel. His horse carriage was extremely well decorated. Every morning he prayed at the Tikano (Gurdwara). In the year 1899, he along with his family members went on pilgrimage (Tirth Yatra) and expired at Amritsar on the day of Diwali.

Mukhi Vishindas had four sons: M/s. Dhanrajmal, Dayaram, Hemraj and Dialmal. He also had two daughters.

Mukhi Dhanrajmal was a Municipal Councilor for three years and participated in the panchayat affairs.He expired in the year 1913 and had three sons: M/s. Choithram, Assumal and Motiram. Mukhi Vishindas’ second son Mukhi Dayaram was born in the year 1884. He was the first amongst the Mukhis to pass Matriculation exam in 1894 and to go to college. However, he quit college to join his family’s business that ran under the name of M/s. Mukhi Hiranand Tarachand. Mukhi Dayaram’s eldest son Mukhi Madhavdas after two years in college joined his business overseas. The other son Mukhi Narsinghdas had passed law and practiced with Diwan Hotchand Gopaldas Advani, Barrister.

Mukhi Hemraj Vishindas: - The third son of Mukhi Vishindas was Mukhi Hemraj who was born in the year 1878. After studying English fifth or sixth grade, he joined business and looked after his Hyderabad office. Mukhi Hemraj was a of friendly nature and got along well with all. In 1915, he suddenly expired. Mukhi Hemraj’s son Mukhi Pessumal inherited his father’s nature and temperament and lived overseas looking after his business.

Mukhi Dialmal Vishindas: - Mukhi Dialmal was born in 1884 and studied up to Matric. He accompanied his cousin Mukhi Alloomal Tejumal to Port Said Egypt and joined him as a partner. In 1913 M/s. Mukhi Hiranand Tarachand bought over Mukhi Alloomal’s firm. Mukhi Dialmal stayed on till 1928. Mukhi Dharamdas Sagharmal’s fourth and last son Mukhi Valiram was born in the year 1795. All the four brothers lived in Mukti Ghitti and were together in business. In 1838, on the death of Mukhi Valiram’s elder brother Mukhi Assandas, Mukhi Majlasrai separated. The remaining two brothers Mukhi Tarachand and Mukhi Valiram continued together. Their Kothi (office) was located in the Shahi Bazaar. Mukhi Tarachand had one son named Mukhi Hiranand and Mukhi Valiram had two sons and two daughters. Mukhi Valiram expired in 1845.

Mukhi Lokumal Valiram: - Mukhi Valiram’s son Mukhi Lokumal (Lokramdas) was born in the year 1815 and was together in business with Mukhi Hiranand for a while. He was soft spoken but dashing. He expired in the year 1872.

Mukhi Chandumal Valiram: - Mukhi Valiram’s second son Mukhi Chandumal was born in the year 1830. He joined his cousin Mukhi Hiranand and his son Mukhi Sukhramdas in their cloth business. After the demise of his brother Mukhi Lokumal (Lokramdas), Mukhi Chandumal started his own business. Mukhi Chandumal and Mukhi Sukhramdas worked together for betterment of the community and did social work. When Mukhi Sukhramdas became Municipal Counselor, he got Mukhi Chandumal selected as well on a Government seat. Mukhi Chandumal was short in height and his left-hand wrist was twisted due to an accident that he had while swimming. He expired in the year 1885.

Mukhi Chandumal had one son: Mukhi Pritamdas and two daughters. The eldest daughter was mother of Diwan Khanchand Gopaldas Mansukhani, Karachi’s renowned Advocate. The other daughter was married to Diwan Gobindbux Khubchand Advani (retired Mukhtiarkar (District Administrator), cousin of Sadhu Hiranand Shokiram.

Mukhi Pritamdas Chandumal: - Mukhi Pritamdas, son of Mukhi Chandumal Valiram was born in the year 1859. Mukhi Pritamdas was in his teens when his father Mukhi Chandumal expired. He had no experience of business and as a result his cousin Mukhi Sukhramdas went to his rescue and managed his business and at the same time teaching him so that ultimately he could take over. Mukhi Sukhramdas had during the lifetime of Mukhi Chandumal given his word that in the event of any unforeseen circumstances he would look after Mukhi Pritamdas. Just as Mukhi Hiranand and Mukhi Sukhramdas had groomed Mukhi Chandumal to devote time and work for the upliftment of the community, they took out time to groom Mukhi Pritamdas as well.

After the demise of Mukhi Sukhramdas, his son Mukhi Gurdinomal and after him his son Mukhi Harkishindas Gurdinomal continued to participate in the community and social work. Mukhi Pritamdas was a reserve and sober man, but at the same time lady luck was with him. He kept on expanding his branches and money kept pouring in. Mukhi Tarachand and Mukhi Valiram decided to part their ways. They had around one thousand acres of land at Nawab Shah that were barren and uncultivated. This ancestral land along with their other holding was then divided on paper in to two lots. Mukhi Sukhramdas and Mukhi Pritamdas then raffled, with each one picking one paper.

Mukhi Pritamdas in his share got the barren land. However, soon thereafter on 24th Nov. 1899 ‘Jhamrau Wah’ (canal) was inaugurated that brought water to the barren land and made it fertile. Mukhi Pritamdas there after collected Land Rights Fee from the occupants. Soon thereafter, Mukhi Pritamdas bought over holdings that were in hands of his cousins Mukhi Naraindas and Mukhi Sirumal. From a mere one thousand acres of land, his holding increased to ten thousand acres. Mukhi Pritamdas was then considered the richest man in Hyderabad. Despite the wealth, he was very modest and humble. He contributed to charity and kept his name anonymous (Gupt Daan). Mukhi Pritamdas maintained relationship with his bradri members and with Mukhi Sukhramdas till the end. He, Mukhi Pritamdas passed away in 1920. Mukhi Pritamdas had four sons and four daughters. His eldest daughter married Diwan Hotchand Chandumal Thadani, retired Collector and District Magistrate. After the death of his wife, Diwan Hotchand remarried with the third daughter of Mukhi Pritamdas.

Diwan Hotchand’s second wife did not conceive. He had children only from his first wife. Mukhi Pritamdas’ other daughter married Dr. Kalyandas Jethanand Shivdasani, Civil Surgeon. The fourth daughter married Mr. Motiram Gidumal Jhangiani who was the Traffic Superintendent of G. I. P. Railways (Great Indian Peninsula, now Central Railways) at Bombay.

Mukhi Pritamdas’ sons: Mukhi Jethanand, Mukhi Girdharimal & Mukhi Mathuradas ( both who passed away at the age of 11-12 years) and Mukhi Gobindram. Mukhi Gobindram was the only surviving son in 1947.

Mukhi Jethanand Pritamdas: - Mukhi Jethanand was born in the year 1883 and studied upto English second grade. He thereafter left school and took private tuition and acquired fluency in English. During the lifetime of his father, Mukhi Jethanand participated in the Panchayat activities and kept abreast with the political happenings. He was an active Congress worker but when the British Government decided to take action against the Congress activists, he had second thoughts and kept a low profile. A joint meeting of Mukhis in Sind was conveyed by the Hyderabad Mukhis. Mukhi Jethanand being elder to Mukhi Harkishindas was the Patron. Mukhi Jethanand was labeled as the Mukhi of Sind. Mukhi Jethanand liked good things in life. (Showkeen). He spent thousand of rupees to beautify his ancestral farmhouse and garden. He shifted from his Mukti Ghitti house to his newly constructed palatial bungalow that had cost him lacs of rupees, located opposite the Homestead Hall, just outside the Fort, on Paki Chari. Mukhi Jethanand expired in the year 1927 at the age of 44 years. Mukhi Jethanand had two daughters. One married Mr. Fatehchand Tarachand and other married Mr. Verhomal Lalwani Engineer.

Mukhi Gobindram Pritamdas: - Mukhi Gobindram was born in the year 1898 with a golden spoon in his mouth and his father was very fond of him. Mukhi Gobindram was handsome and inherited his father’s estate worth lacs of rupees. After passing matric Mukhi Gobindram attended college for two years and got into business. His brother, Mukhi Jethanand had got him involved in the Panchayat activities. At the time of Mukhi Jethanand’s demise, Mukhi Harkishindas was attending a seminar at Poona. With Mukhi Harkishindas’ consent the seat of Mukhism was awarded to Mukhi Gobindram. He became the Mukhi of Sind. Mukhi Gobindram was a distinguished man coming from a well to do family. Despite the name, fame and wealth, he desired to do more for the community. Mukhi Gobindram headed most of the charitable institutions in Hyderabad. Mukhi Gobindram was a member of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. He was director of ‘Hindu Fund’, a fund created for the upliftment of the Sindhi Hindus. For three years he was President of the Tolaram Girls High School. To bring the Bhaibands together, a ‘Bhaibund Sabha’ was formed under Mukhi Gobindram’s president-ship. He was conveyer of the Sind Hindu Conference.

In 1936, Sind separated from Bombay Presidency, and an advisory board was formed to select the Governor. Mukhi Gobindram represented the Hindus. The following year Assembly elections took place and Mukhi Gobindram was elected as its member. He was the first Hindu minister and the portfolio of Engineering Dept. went to him. Mukhi Gobindram was also a Justice of Peace.

In 1945, Mukhi Gobindram was re-elected as a Minister and held portfolios of Health and Agriculture etc. Mukhi Gobindram had 5 daughter and 3 sons. The eldest son Mr. Govardhandas looked after the farms and zamindari. The second son Ramchand was, in the year 1947, studying in College and the third son Mr. Jagdish was schooling.