Mumbai (formerly Bombay), MAHARASHTRA :

Bombay’s Chinoy family pioneered India’s international wireless communication and shaped cosmopolitan capitalism in the colonial era.

The Bombay Garage in Meher Building, near Chowpatty Band Stand in Bombay, was chosen as the family home by Sultan Chinoy, one of Meherally Chinoy’s four sons. Photo: Public domain.

In the crowded economic history of colonial India, the spotlight is often trained on a familiar cast: the Parsis of Bombay – Tatas, Wadias, Godrejs; the Marwari financial giants of Calcutta like the Birlas; and Hindu industrial houses. These communities unquestionably shaped the contours of Indian capitalism. Yet this focus obscures the contributions of other groups who played pivotal roles in connecting India to global circuits of technology, finance and communication.

One such story is that of the Chinoys, a Khoja Ismaili Muslim business family from Bombay. Their rise from the China trade to the helm of India’s international wireless communication network illuminates a distinctive moment in India’s economic history – one in which indigenous capital, imperial technological ambition and flexible, cross-community partnerships came together to produce what we may call cosmopolitan capitalism.

This story not only unsettles the notion that Gujarati Muslim traders were confined to Indian Ocean commerce; it shows how local entrepreneurial families could position themselves at the centre of the empire’s most advanced technological systems.

The Chinoys: a family emerges

Like many Bombay merchant families, the Chinoys began in maritime trade. Their patriarch, Meherally Chinoy, started in the mid-nineteenth century as an apprentice to the Khoja merchant prince Jairazbhoy Peerbhoy. Through repeated voyages to China and Japan, he built a reputation for commercial acumen and established both capital and credibility. His sons consolidated and expanded this base.

By the 1920s, the family firm – Fazalbhoy Meherally (F.M.) Chinoy & Co. – had diversified into wheat, pearls, kerosene, postal contracts, cinema exhibition and, most famously, the Bombay Garage, one of India’s earliest and most successful motor car agencies.

Diversification, community networks and political visibility placed the Chinoys among Bombay’s prominent business families. They sat on the Municipal Corporation, held the Sheriff’s office and participated in legislative bodies. This broad civic footprint would soon prove crucial when new technological horizons opened.

The opportunity of empire: wireless communication

By the early twentieth century, the British Empire faced a strategic challenge: the submarine cable network, long considered the Empire’s “nervous system”, was overstretched. Radio communication offered a faster and cheaper alternative. The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company proposed in 1910 an ambitious ‘Imperial Wireless Chain’ linking London to its colonies through long-wave radio. Yet Britain hesitated. Monopolistic power for a private company raised political alarms, and various government committees stalled progress.

The late Meherally M. Chinoy, who began by acquiring the licence for Shell, and the late Fazulbhoy M. Chinoy, one of Meherally Chinoy’s four sons, who was in the automative business in Bombay. Photo: Public domain.

Meanwhile, the Government of India – more pragmatic and less suspicious of private enterprise – was open to experimentation, provided the enterprise was Indian-led and financially sound. Into this space stepped the Chinoys.

In 1921, Sultan Chinoy travelled to England to negotiate with the Marconi Company and secure rights for India. It was a bold move; a single Bombay firm seeking to collaborate with one of the world’s pre-eminent technology companies was far from routine. But the Chinoys had two advantages: capital and credibility. Marconi demanded stringent terms, including a steep price for patents and proof that at least half the investment would be raised in India.

Understanding that they needed support beyond their own family, the Chinoys assembled a board that looked like a snapshot of Bombay’s commercial elite: the Parsi industrialists Cusrow and Ness Wadia, the Hindu financier Sir Purshottamdas Thakurdas, and the respected Muslim leader Ibrahim Rahimtoola, among others.

This coalition reassured the colonial state that the venture was both financially stable and politically broad-based. The resulting company, the Indian Radio Telegraph Company (IRTC), represented one of the most ambitious examples of cross-community capitalist cooperation in the late Raj.

Beam wireless comes to India

In 1925, the IRTC secured a ten-year licence from the Government of India. But just as the long-wave system was ready to proceed, Marconi announced a breakthrough: shortwave or “beam” wireless, capable of transmitting messages 95% cheaper and three times as fast. The IRTC pivoted immediately, abandoning the long-wave model in favour of the beam system. By 1927, the India–England beam service opened to great fanfare.

Within a week, message traffic exceeded expectations; within a year, the company handled millions of words of international communication. Beam wireless rapidly undermined the older cable telegraph companies, leading to a merger in 1932.

The new entity, the Indian Radio and Cable Communications Co. (IRCC), managed virtually all of India’s external traffic. In short order, an Indian-led company had assumed control of India’s most sensitive international communication infrastructure.

The IRTC succeeded because the Chinoys excelled at uniting Parsi, Hindu and Muslim capitalists, ensuring political legitimacy and financial strength. The brothers also recognised that mastery of cutting-edge communication technology would give Indian business unprecedented leverage.

Bombay was a major centre for the Khilafat movement, and many Muslim merchants faced financial ruination because of their association with the pan-Islamic movement. The Chinoys, however, stayed away from politics generally and the movement specifically, and prospered. The Khilafat movement was seen as a threat by the empire.

The Chinoys also led the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC), launched alongside the IRTC. But while beam wireless thrived, the IBC collapsed. The reasons were structural. The government could not agree on the scale and scope of broadcasting, the sector required heavy infrastructure investment. Besides, the company was undercapitalised.

By 1930, it was liquidated; by 1936, its successor became All India Radio. Yet even this failure generated influence. Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy became president of the All India Radio Merchants’ Association, a powerful industry group, positioning the family at the centre of radio trade and regulation.

The legacy of cosmopolitan capitalism

The wireless story reveals a great deal about Bombay’s business world. In an era of rising nationalism and sharpening communal boundaries, major commercial projects still relied on inter-communal coalitions. The IRTC’s leadership – Khoja Muslim entrepreneurs partnering with Parsi industrialists and Hindu financiers – represented an economic cosmopolitanism that was both pragmatic and visionary.

The Chinoys used this moment not simply to participate in imperial networks but to shape them. Their stewardship of India’s international communication system lasted until 1947, when the newly independent state nationalised the IRCC. By then, they had already secured their place among the country’s leading capitalists and public figures, holding senior positions in banks, municipal bodies and national economic delegations.

The Chinoys’ story disrupts familiar narratives of Indian capitalism. Gujarati Muslim traders were not merely marginal or ocean-oriented merchants; they were capable of driving technological transformation at the very heart of colonial infrastructure. Their story underscores how families could convert commercial networks, political relationships and technological foresight into durable economic power.

For readers interested in the full archival study and the complete analytical argument, the original research article is available in Indian Economic and Social History Review.

Danish Khan is a historian and journalist based in London. His DPhil thesis is under contract to be published by Cambridge University Press.

source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Analysis> History / by Danish Khan / November 26th, 2025

INDIA :

Indian Muslims

Indian Muslims can play a vital role in making a strong India by actively participating in the country’s development and progress. Here are the seven ways that can make Muslims, about 15 percent of India’s population, participate as equal citizens in making India a peaceful and prosperous nation.

1. Education: Education is the key to empowerment and progress. Indian Muslims should focus on getting a good education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This will benefit them individually and make them contribute to the country’s growth. The literacy rate of Muslims is 68.5%, much below the national average. Madrassa education needs to be complemented by regular education. In recent years there has been a lot of activity within the community for better educational outcomes.

2. Entrepreneurship: Indian Muslims should explore entrepreneurship opportunities and start their businesses. The community has produced renowned entrepreneurs who are an important part of India’s growth story like Azim Premji (Chairman, Wipro), M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman of LuLu Group and Yusuf Khwaja Hamied (Chairman, Cipla) Entrepreneurship is the most effective antidote against joblessness within the community.

3. Community Development: Indian Muslims should actively participate in the development of their communities. They can contribute to social welfare projects, health initiatives, and education programs to uplift their communities. Faith-based organizations play an important role to fill the gap between government and NGOs.

4. Political Participation: Indian Muslims should actively participate in the political process by voting and running for public office. This will enable them to have a voice in the country’s decision-making process and help shape policies that benefit all communities. They must put development and progress above everything else and benefit from the fruits of democracy. India has seen Muslims holding the highest offices in the Country, like the President of India, Vice President of India, Chief Justice of India, Chief Election Commissioner of India, and the Director of the most sensitive Intelligence Bureau. India is a land of equal opportunity for all communities.

5.  Interfaith Harmony: Indian Muslims should promote interfaith harmony and work towards building bridges with other communities. This can be done by organizing cultural exchanges, community events, and dialogues to foster understanding and respect among different religions and cultures. There are a lot of misunderstandings within the community about other faiths and there are also a lot of wrong ideas prevalent in other communities about Islam. It is only through dialogue and search for common ground that these fault lines can be bridged.

6. Patriotism: Indian Muslims should take pride in their country and work towards its development and progress. They can participate in initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital India, and Skill India to contribute to the country’s growth. Confusion is spread that Islam is a transnational faith and there is no scope for patriotism in it. However, scholars like Javed Ahmad Ghamidi have argued that nationalism can be a positive force if used to protect the rights and interests of Muslims and promote their welfare. In his book Mizan, Ghamidi writes that “The Quran and the Sunnah do not prohibit nationalism, but they do prohibit the use of nationalism to justify aggression and oppression against other people or groups.

7. Muslim women and marginalized Muslims: Indian Muslim community needs to fast-track various reform initiatives that can help Muslim women in realizing their rights and develop to full human potential. There has been a lot of resistance to accepting new ideas on this front and Muslim women and trans-people, Pasmanda Muslims, Shia, Ahmadi, and other divergent schools of thought within Islam need to be tolerated and respected. India’s syncretic traditions are all about a sense of community between people of different denominations. And by promoting ideas of tolerance and acceptance, Indian Muslims will be doing a great service to the idea of India.

Dr Shomaila Warsi teaches in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Maharaja Agrasen College, Delhi University.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Heritage / by Dr Shomaila Warsi / February27th, 2023

Aurangabad, MAHARASHTRA :

The Archaeological Survey of India, which manages the site, seems to have turned its gaze elsewhere, leaving the Maqbara to weather time’s relentless assault. (Courtesy: Aditya Porwal)

Aurangabad (Maharashtra): 

Bibi Ka Maqbara, the 17th-century Mughal monument in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is slipping into ruin. Known as the “Taj of the Deccan”, its blackened marble, cracked walls and fading engravings reveal a neglect.

Built in 1651 by Aurangzeb in memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum (Rabia Durrani), the mausoleum was completed over nine years, later repaired by his son, Prince Azam Shah, in 1676. It was meant to echo the Taj Mahal’s splendour, but today it looks worn and abandoned, with its story of love hiding beneath layers of neglect.

The monument shows its wear as the light fades in the evening. The paths are broken, weeds have spread across the gardens, the carvings have almost disappeared into the stone and water stains have dimmed the marble dome. Once built to rival the Taj, the so-called jewel of the Deccan now slips further into neglect while those meant to protect it look away.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) manages the site, but signs of care are faint. Despite being a major tourist draw and revenue earner, the Maqbara’s decline speaks of how India chooses which parts of its heritage to protect.

In the Charbagh garden, the symmetry has given way to uneven paths and missing tiles. The stucco floral motifs crumble, waterlogging eats at the marble and monsoon rains pool at the base of the tomb.

“It is very sad to see the monument in this condition. This is our pride. This is our history. But every year, its situation is deteriorating. The tourists come, they take pictures, but they also ask why it is in such bad shape. I do not know what to tell them, “Says Anil Patil, a tourist guide for more than two decades.

Designed by Ataullah, son of Ahmad Lahauri, the architect of the Taj Mahal, Bibi Ka Maqbara carries its own narrative. The marble brought from Jaipur, hauled by 300 ox-drawn carts, still glimmers faintly, though plaster patches betray incompleteness.

“It is not just a poor man’s Taj. Bibi Ka Maqbara has its own character and its own story. It is a love letter from a son to his mother, and that emotional depth deserves respect,” says Dr. Meera Singh, historian of Mughal architecture.

The monument still languishes. In 2023, it welcomed over 350,000 visitors and raised nearly Rs 8 crore in revenue. But the site remains underfunded. Drainage systems are broken, and parts of the outer wall lean on bamboo scaffolds for survival.

“The ASI patches things up after complaints, but it is like putting a bandage on a broken leg. We need proper drainage systems, not quick fixes. The water eats away at the marble, and no one seems to care,” says Rukhsana Begum, a local resident.

The neglect of the Maqbara feels more pronounced when compared with the political spotlight on Aurangzeb’s tomb in nearby Khuldabad. Protests and debates swirl around the emperor’s grave, while his wife’s mausoleum, which is larger and historically significant, too remains ignored.

“It is ironic. Aurangzeb’s tomb, which he wanted simple, gets all the noise, while Bibi Ka Maqbara, a monument of architectural and emotional significance, is ignored. It is like we are punishing the monument for its association with Aurangzeb,” says historian Sanjay Sonawani.

This shadow of politics lingers over heritage. Locals suggest that the emperor’s “divisive” legacy influences the lack of care. Tourism suffers too. A 2024 report shows only 10% of visitors found facilities “satisfactory” compared to 65% at the Taj Mahal.

Though the Marathwada Tourism Development Chamber organises an annual October fair at the Maqbara, yet funding remains meagre. In 2023, Ajanta and Ellora received Rs 15 crore for conservation. Bibi Ka Maqbara got Rs 2 crore, which was barely enough for basic upkeep.

A total of 3,600 monuments across India are under ASI protection, but most receive little attention. A 2022 audit highlighted 40% in disrepair, with Bibi Ka Maqbara among them. The small archaeological museum beside the tomb is often locked and its exhibits are forgotten.

“I came here because I heard it is the ‘Mini Taj’. But it feels abandoned. There is no information board and no proper guides. What is there is just a few signs. It is such a shame for a place this beautiful,” says Priya Sharma, a tourist from Delhi.

Proposals for restoration that include new drainage, reinforced walls and revived gardens remain buried in files. Approvals move slowly and promises vanish.

The Maqbara reflects a cultural amnesia. Its Mughal-Deccani blend once celebrated India’s syncretic past. Even the Marathas, despite their wars with Aurangzeb, respected his monuments. Chhatrapati Shahu I’s visit to Aurangzeb’s grave in 1710 is still remembered as an act of dignity.

Now, the Maqbara’s minarates rise against the Aurangabad sky, graceful but fragile. Its stones seem to call out for attention, for care and for repair before the years of neglect erase what remains.

For now, the “Taj of the Deccan” waits.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Art-Culture> Historical Facts> Indian Muslim> Lead Story / by Aditya Porwal & Sumit Singh / September 25th, 2025

KARNATAKA / Ajman, U.A.E :

Ajman, UAE:

Dr. U.T. Iftikhar, Chairman of the State Allied and Health Care Council, has been conferred the prestigious ‘Star of the Year Award in Rehabilitation’ at the 5th International Annual Awards and Conference on Innovation in Rehabilitation Practice and Medicine, hosted by Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital at Thumbay Medicity in Ajman.

The award recognises Dr. Iftikhar’s remarkable contributions to advancing rehabilitation care and promoting evidence-based medical practices in the UAE. Widely respected in the healthcare community, Dr. Iftikhar has played a key role in improving patient recovery outcomes and setting high standards in the field of rehabilitation.

The event was organised by Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, a part of the College of Health Sciences at Gulf Medical University (GMU) and the Thumbay Healthcare Division.

The ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Dr. Majid Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Court, Ajman, and Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group. During the occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Majid praised Thumbay Rehabilitation Hospital as the best rehabilitation hospital in the UAE, acknowledging its innovative medical practices, advanced infrastructure, and patient-focused services.

The conference also marked the launch of the UAE’s most advanced Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapies, setting a new benchmark in rehabilitation care across the country.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / October 25th, 2025

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA / Doha, QATAR :

Young cricketer Essam Mansoor

Doha: 

In a proud moment for the Beary community, young cricketer Essam Mansoor, who hails from Mangaluru, has been selected to represent Qatar in the Under-19 National Cricket Squad. Essam is the elder son of Mansoor Hasanabba Hentar and Razia Sulaiman Salmar, residents of Doha, Qatar.

Essam, who is currently in his first year of graduation at the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), has earned the spot after years of consistent performance and dedication to the sport. His selection marks a notable milestone, as he becomes the first boy from the Beary community to secure a place in Qatar’s national cricket team.

Officials confirmed that Essam will leave for the United Arab Emirates on November 17 to participate in the Under-19 ACC Premier Cup. The tournament will offer him the opportunity to compete at an international level and showcase his skills before a wider cricketing audience.

Community members, friends and well-wishers in Qatar and back home in coastal Karnataka have expressed pride and appreciation for Essam’s achievement. His accomplishment is being seen as an inspiration for several young Beary athletes who aspire to pursue sports professionally.

Family members said that Essam’s commitment, discipline and passion for cricket have played a key role in his rise through Qatar’s junior cricket framework. They added that the selection is both a matter of personal joy and a moment of collective pride for the Beary community.

Essam’s parents, engineer Mansoor Hasanabba Hentar and Razia Sulaiman Salmar, said they are hopeful that he will continue to excel and make the country proud at the ACC Premier Cup and in future cricketing opportunities.

Essam Mansoor’s selection has been widely celebrated as a landmark achievement for a community that has been increasingly encouraging its youth to explore opportunities in sports, academics and professional fields.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / November 19th, 2025

KARNATAKA / Doha, QATAR :

Qatar:

The BCCI Qatar Chapter was formally inaugurated on the 8th, with U.T. Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, attending the event as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, BCCI President Dr S.M. Rasheed said the organisation was founded to promote collective business support and to encourage start-ups within the Beary community. He noted that BCCI had already launched its first collective business venture, Bearys Associates LLP, and has expanded its presence by opening chapters in Dubai, Jubail, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru.

The programme was attended by BCCI Vice Presidents Zakariya Jokatte, Imtiaz Mansoor, Dr Ifthikar U.T., Saukath Suri, Mohammed Haris, Nasir Lucky Star, Asif Home Plus, Razak Goltamajal and Badruddeen Dalta Rauf Sulthan.

During the ceremony, Abdul Monu was announced as the President of the newly formed Qatar Chapter.

Leaders from other regions including Mohammed Ali Uchil, Asraf Karnire, Abdul Basher (NCMS), Hidaya (UAE), K.C. Hameed (Qatar), Azeez Akara (Qatar), Jafar, and Ibrahim Gadiyar (UAE) — were also present and extended their support.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / November 15th, 2025

Bhatkal, KARNATAKA :

Bhatkal:

The second Bhatkal inter school and inter college science fair brought together 52 student teams from 10 institutions to present research based projects and scientific demonstrations. The event took place at the Dr M. T. Hassan Bappa Auditorium and was organised by Shams PU College and the AJ Academy of Research and Development. The organisers said the aim was to build scientific temperament among students and encourage analytical thinking.

Chief guest Dr Mohammed Zubair Kola, vice president of Anjuman Hami e Muslimeen, spoke about the need for quality education that encourages inquiry. Guest of honour Dr Virendra V. Shanbhag, principal of The New English PU College, spoke about skill based learning and pointed to real world examples of innovation. Abdullah Javed, director of the AJ Academy of Research and Development, highlighted the importance of originality and clear methodology in student research. The programme was presided over by Nazir Ahmed Qazi, chairman of Tarbiat Education Society.

The event opened with a recitation of the Quran by Ahmed Zain. Mohammed Azaan presented the translation. New Shams School principal Liyakat Ali welcomed the gathering. Shams PU College principal Mohammed Raza Manwi introduced the judges. Science fair convener Dr Mamatha Naik closed the programme with a vote of thanks.

A panel of experts evaluated the projects. The judges included Prof Quratulain Waseem H., Dr Chetan Pai, Prof Al Shifa, Dr Vinayak Anand Kamat, Dr Rupa D. Shanbhag and Prof Shaheeda Ikkeri. Organisers noted that the fair focused on research work supported by data, models and practical demonstrations.

As reported in sahilonline.org

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / November 25th, 2025

KERALA :

Kochi:

Ershad Kunnakkadan, a 33-year-old engineer rooted in Kerala’s free-software community, has taken charge as the new CEO of Gumroad. His appointment marks a striking rise from local open-source groups to the leadership of a global e-commerce platform that records over 100 million dollars in Gross Merchandise Value.

Gumroad founder Sahil Lavingia announced the transition and described Ershad as the perfect leader to guide the platform after fourteen years of his own stewardship. Ershad, who shifted to New York only in May as a staff software engineer after working remotely with the company since 2020, said he felt honoured and ready to serve creators with greater commitment.

His journey has drawn wide attention in Kerala. His interest in computers grew in a government school classroom, through a gifted Ubuntu 8.04 CD, and through active involvement in Swathanthra Malayalam Computing. The collective helped shape his early work in open-source development and localisation.

A detailed post by Menlo Ventures partner Deedy Das has been widely circulated. It traces Ershad’s teenage immersion in terminals, scripting contests, Linux administration, security work, and blogging. College studies lost priority as he explored the free-software world. He left a private engineering college in Kerala after his second year, promising his family he would complete his education. He later earned a degree through a distance programme while gaining industry experience through internships and workshops. He also identified security bugs in Github and Prezi and secured a Google Summer of Code selection.

His appointment has sparked pride across Kerala’s tech community.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Entrepreneurship> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / November 24th, 2025