Celebrating Heritage: Count Manji Janmohamed and Heritage Materials

Housed at the Ismaili Special Collections Unit are heritage items relating to different individuals and their histories. One such collection of items is donated by Mukhi Fatehali Count Manji Janmohamed. The donated photographs and archival materials relate to his parents, Count Manji Janmohamed and Countess Santokbai Manji. Manji Janmohamed served the Imam and the Ismaili community from 1915 to 1946. During his tenure, he served as a Major in the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, Mukhi of Nairobi Darkhana Jamatkhana, and then as President of both the Ismaili Councils in Kisumu and Nairobi from 1930s to 1946 one after the other.

Born in Gadhda, Kathiawar, India, on 14 August 1894, Count Manji Janmohamed was from the Verjee family of East Africa, the son of Janmohamed Hasham Verjee. The fervour of serving community institutions ran in the family as his father, Alijah Janmohamed Hasham Verjee was President of the Mombasa Ismailia Council in the early 1900s. 

Manji Janmohamed came to Mombasa, Kenya, with his father in 1900, where he took up early residence and joined the family business.  He was married to Santok, daughter of Ahamed Velji.  They moved from Mombasa to Kisumu in the 1920s where he started his own business.  In 1933, he moved his business from Kisumu to Nairobi where he owned the famed textile store “Husseini Silk Store” on Government Road.

Husseini Silk Store was honoured to outfit many luminaries, including both His Highness Aga Khan III and Her Highness the Begum Aga Khan. In her letter of acknowledgement dated April 29, 1945, the Begum Aga Khan, more commonly known amongst Ismailis as Mata Salamat, wrote to Husseini Silk Store: “…It is with great pleasure that I write this to say the work you did for me was most excellent and indeed I know of no house in Europe that could have done it better, with my best thanks. Yours Faithfully, Yves Aga Khan.”  

Manji Janmohamed served the Imam and the Ismaili community from 1915 to 1946. He presided during the auspicious occasions of Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III’s Golden Jubilee in 1937 in Nairobi and was also involved in the Diamond Jubilee in 1946 in Dar-es-Salaam. Among his services were the building of a jamatkhana for the Ismailis and a masjid for Sunni Muslims in Nairobi.

He rendered outstanding services in preparation of the 1937 Golden Jubilee darbar and related arrangements prior to and during the Jubilee celebrations in Nairobi. A little-known fact is that Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III led ‘Id Namaz on the grounds of the Aga Khan Club on 2^nd February 1937. Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV also, as a young boy, recited ‘Id Namaz in Nairobi (President Manji Janmohamed is shown in his ceremonial jabba and turban, behind the Imams in both the photographs, along with other dignitaries.)

On 20 September 1952, Vazir Janmohamed was bestowed the title of “Count” by Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III.  After Manji Janmohamed’s demise, Countess Santokbai took keen interest in the Council activities as well as philanthropic activities such as supporting educational initiatives for special schools for differently-abled children. 

The Count was survived by his wife, two daughters and four sons, including Mukhi Fatehali Count Manji Janmohmamed one of whom has donated this collection to the Institute in his parents’ memory.