HISTORY OF MY PEOPLE
The Afghan Muslims of Guyana
by
Raymond Chickrie
©
Copyright February 2001
rchickrie@hotmail.com
Updated
September 8th. 2001
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. Many
people of Afghan origin (Pathan) also migrated to Suriname. When Indian indentured
labourers began arriving in Guyana in 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.
Naturally, the strong and fierce Afghans mostly from the Pathan clan settled
in the northern plains of India. The modern districts of Bareilly, Muradabad
and Badaun had strong Afghan Township where over 9,000 Afghans settled. Some
Pathans migrated from Rohilkhand. Bareilly as a ruined city crowded with unemployed,
restless Rohilla Pathans.
Many urban cities in Uttar Pradesh were experiencing economic stagnation and
poverty. Naturally, this led to heavy migration overseas. Immigration records
indicate that the majority of Muslims who migrated to Guyana and Suriname
came from the urban centres of Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Ahllahbad, Bahraich Basti,
Fyzabad, Gonda, Gorakpur, Ghazipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Muradabad, Rae-Bareilly,
Rampur, and Sultanpur. Small batches also came from Karachi in Sind, Lahore,
Multan and Rawalpindi in the Punjab, Hyderabad, in the Deccan, Srinagar in
Kashmir, and Peshawar and Mardan in the Northwest Frontier (Afghan areas).
Immigration certificates reveals major details of Muslim migrants.
Their origins such as District and villages, colour, height, and caste are
all indicated. Under caste Muslims are identified as Musulman, Mosulman, Musulman,
Musalman, Sheik Musulman, Mahomedaan, Sheik, Jolaba, Pattian, (Pathan), and
Musulman (Pathan). Religion and caste identified many Muslims. From looking
at their district of origin one can tell of their ethnicity, whether they
were Sindis, Biharis, Punjabi, Pathans or Kashmiri. The physical profile on
the Immigration Certificate also helps in recognizing their ethnicity. There
are enormous spelling mistakes on the Immigration Certificates. Musulman,
the Urdu world for Muslim is spelled many different ways and sometimes Muslims
were referred to as Mahomedaan. Peshawar is spelled Peshaur and Nowsherra
is Nachera, among many others.
Afghan
Pathan clan also was among the indentured immigrants. Immigration Certificates
clearly indicate under the category of "caste" Pathans, "Musulman Pathan"
Pattan or Pattian. The fact that there were Pathans settlements in northern
India explains this migration. Immigration Certificates further substantiate
this. Pathans migrated from the Peshawar, Nowsherra, and Mardan from the Northwest
Frontier as well as Kashmir. Some Pathans also came from Dholpur, Rajasthan.
From Uttar Pradesh they migrated from Agra, Rae-Bareilly, Lucknow, Rohtak,
Janhora, Jounpore, Gonda, Shahjahanpur, Barabanki, Delhi, among other cities
in this provience. Pathans also migrated from Multan, Rawalpindi and Lahore
in the Punjab. Again the spelling of districts, towns and villages varies.
With considerable knowledge, the writer was able to recognize these places.
A few places still remain an enigma. (See Immigration Certificates: Bottom)
HISTORY
AND CULTURE OF THE AFGHANS
Pathans
were always respected by the Mughals and were heavily patronized by Mughal
Emperors in order to pacify them. The Afghans also acted as the buffer zone
in the Northwest frontier; they kept invaders out of Mughal India. And in
the nineteen and twentieth century they kept the Russians at bay. Without
the support of the Pathans the Mughal Empire would not have lasted for as
long as it did.
The
Pathan, or Puktun, are a race of warriors who live primarily in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. They consist of about sixty tribes, each with its own territory.
Although their origin is unclear, their legends say that they are the descendants
of Afghana, grandson of King Saul. However, most scholars believe that they
probably arose from ancient Aryans intermingling with subsequent invaders.
The
people of Afghanistan form a mosaic of ethnic and linguistic groups. Pashto
(Pashto) and Dari, a dialect of Persian (Farsi), are Indo-European languages;
they are the official languages of the country. More than half of the population
speaks Pashto, the language of the Pashtuns, while about half of the population
speaks Dari, the language of the Tajiks, Hazaras, Chahar Aimaks, and Kizilbash
peoples and other Indo-European languages, spoken by smaller groups, include
Western Dardic (Nuristani or Kafiri), Baluchi, and a number of Indic and Pamiri
languages spoken principally in isolated valleys in the northeast. Turkic
languages, a subfamily of the Altaic languages, are spoken by the Uzbek and
Turkmen peoples, the most recent settlers, who are related to peoples from
the steppes of Central Asia. The Turkic languages are closely related; within
Afghanistan they include Uzbek, Turkmen, and Kyrgyz, the last spoken by a
small group in the extreme northeast.
The
Afghans who came to Guyana were mostly Pathans and a few Hazaris. The Pathan
comes from the wild west of Pakistan: the Northwest Frontier Province that
borders Afghanistan. In his text, Warrior Race. Imran Khan writes, "physically
the Pathan has more in common with the people of Central Asia than with those
of the subcontinent. The fine, aquiline features, high check-bones and light
skin reflect the Pathan's origins in Afghanistan and Turkey." (10).
Pathans
from various areas such as South Waziristan, the Mahsuds and North Waziristan
the Waziri differ in skin, hair and eye colour. Some are taller and fairer
while some have green and blue eyes. "Many of the tribal elders dye their
grey beards red with henna" (11). A practice that some elder Afghans kept
in Guyana. Pathans are very competitive and determine, they show no fear.
They are honest, dignified, and uncompromising in their promises. Money does
not impress a Pathan. "It is the Pathan's sense of honour that makes him conduct
himself with such dignity, and a fiercely independent spirit that makes even
the poorest tribesman walk like a king" (12).
To
understand the Afghans, one has to look carefully at their culture in context
of their geographical landscape. Why are they so rebellious and difficult
to conquer? Originating from Afghanistan, the Pathans are one of the greatest
warrior races on earth, they have never been conquered. For centuries the
Pathans have "existed by raiding, robbing and kidnapping" (15). But one has
to understand the physical terrain of the Pathans. "In the mountainous terrain,
hardly anything grows, and whatever is produced is insufficient to sustain
the population of the area" (15). Sometimes it is difficult to sustain the
family without raiding and kidnapping from the affluent lowlands to feed the
family. "It is not the nature of such a proud race of people to resort to
begging (15)." Consequently robbing and kidnapping became a means of survival.
The
Pathans are the majority in Afghanistan. The British in 1893 created the Durand
Line separating Afghanistan from India and "slicing right through the Pathan's
territory" (16). The southern part of Afghanistan is predominantly Pathans.
Due to tribal rivalries many Pathan tribes settled along the banks of the
Indus, the Waziristan, and the Vale of Swat, Peshawar and between the Sutlej
and Beas rivers. "There were Pathan settlements in Northern India in Hoshiarpur,
Pathankot, near Lucknow, Rohailkand and many other areas" (17). This explains
the presence of Afghans among the Indians who went to Guyana. Some Pathan
tribes are the Yusufzai, Afridi, Niazis, Lodhis, Ghoris, Burkis, Waziri, Mahsud,
Marwats and Khattaks.
A
COMMON ANCESTRY
Pathans
believe that they are all descended from a common ancestor, Qais. He is said
to have met the Prophet Muhammad. The prophet gave Qais the name "Pthun, and
Qais was to take Islam back to his home. One of Qais's sons was name Afghana,
who had four sons. Every Pathan traces its descent from one of these four
sons.
The
first of these four Pathan branches is the Sarbani; this includes the largest
Pathan tribe, the Yusufzai, which settled in Swat, as well as the Tarkalani,
Mohmands and Muhammadzai. The second grouping is the Bitani. The Niazis, Ghilzais,
Lodhis, Suris, Marwats, Lohanis, and Nuhranis belong to his group. The third
branch is the Karlani, which includes some of the wildest tribes, such as
the Mahsud, Waziri, Afridi, Orakzai, Dawar and Bangash.
CODE
OF HONOUR
Pathan
is a corrupted version for Pukhtun. This word means "backbone, hospitality,
bravery and honour." The culture of the Pathan is based on the latter principles.
"Which is enshrined in a code of honour known as Puktunwali, or the way of
the Pathans"(33). According to Imran Khan, a Pathan is recognized by other
Pathans not so much by racial characteristics as by his adherence to "Pukhtunwali."
If he does not follow the code, he is not a Pathan. The wilder tribes adhere
to the code more strictly.
Pushtunwali
is followed religiously, and it includes the following practices: melmastia
(hospitality and protection to every guest); nanawati (the right of a fugitive
to seek refuge, and acceptance of his bona fide offer of peace); badal (the
right of blood feuds or revenge); tureh (bravery); sabat (steadfastness);
imamdari (righteousness); 'isteqamat (persistence); ghayrat (defense of property
and honour); and mamus (defense of one's women).
Unlike
Sindis, Punjabi or Gujratis, Pukhtunwali is closely linked to the spirit of
Islamic justice and rejection of unfairness. It is not a coincidence that
Pathans rose up against British injustice on the Sugar Plantations of Guyana.
Khan writes, "The criterion by which a man is judged is not the amount of
money he has but how honourable he and his family are." (33) A Pathan will
go at length to maintain his honour. "Any slight to his honour has to be avenged-there
is no question of turning the other check" (33). Revenge is taken only on
male members of a family.
RELIGIOUS
ZEAL
The
majority of Pathans are Sunni Muslim. Islam came to them as a great liberating
and unifying force. For this reason, their underlying faith and steadfast
devotion to Islam is very strong. Pathans are staunch Muslim and will go at
length to defend Islam. They practice Islam according to the Quran without
deviation. No wonder why we see the Afghan in a prominent role in the history
of Guyana. The building of the Queenstown Masjid was the brainchild of the
Afghans.
AFGHANS
AND THE QUEENSTOWN MASJID
An
Afghan with a typical Afghan name, Gool (Gul) Mohammad Khan who was an indententured
servant took, "the initiative" to build the Queenstown Jama Masjid. "The first
Imaam of the Masjid was reported to have been Gool Mohammad Khan." Gool Mohammad
Khan after serving his indenturedship returned to India. It is also reported
that another Muslim bearing the name Jilani was the first Imaam. "The Jamaat
compromised Muslims from India and Afghanistan; the latter apparently arrived
in this country via India" (Centennial: 9).
Gool
Mohammad Khan "persuaded" another Afghan, Goolam-uddin to "purchase the plot
of land" for the building of a Masjid. Mr. Goolam-uddin lived on the property
of the Masjid and was the caretaker of the property. This Afghan had a "dominant
personality and kept a full beard coloured reddish brown with henna" (Centennial:
9). Like most Afghans, Goolam-uddin had a stern and "forceful nature", thus
disputes rose among the Afghan and Indian Muslims. "Eventually around 1923-1924
the Indian members decided to leave the Masjid" (centennial: 9). However,
the Afghan control of the Masjid lasted for only a few years because of their
small number and remigration to India.
AFGHAN
RESISTANCE
Mazar
Khan's Story
Mazar
Khan arrived in British Guiana in 1883 to work as an indentured labourer.
He was sent to plantation Caledonian on the Essequibo Coast. His family was
nostalgic for the past and in 1998 journeyed to Northern India to retrace
this past. This expedition took them to a village of Somdutt in Meerut. This
information was of course taken from his Immigration Certificate. After consultation
at a mosque in Somdutt, they were taken to meet the oldest person in the village.
With translation and the help of a few members of the mosque the "old man"
was reached. With the greatest amazement, this old man, Hurma Khan who in
1998 was 110 years old is the son of Chand Khan who was the brother of Sujati
Hassan Khan father of Mazar Khan.
In
other words, Hurma Khan is the first-cousin of Mazar Khan.
It
was then learnt that Mazahar Khan was a "freedom fighter" during the 1880's
revolution against the British. Meerut holds a special place in Indian history
as the place where the revolution started. In an attempt to retaliate, the
British rounded up the "trouble makers" and sent them "kalla-paanie". The
Khans have been known in history for their tenacity to resist tyranny and
to fight for izzat, jaan or maal (honour, life and property) and wherever
they went they uphold these values not only for themselves but also for all.
While in the Guyanas, they advocated for Indians, Hindus, Pathans or Muslims.
The
Rose Hall Uprising
The
Rose Hall Sugar worker strike of 1913 saw Muslims resistant to indenturship.
This is nothing new, the Pathans have resisted the British in India and some
were sent to the Guyana and Suriname. Some Muslims who challenged the British
bore the last name Khan, a typical Pathan (Afghan) name. Moula Bux, Jahangir
Khan and Dildar Khan fit the profile of Pathan heritage. Three other Muslims
were also involved Chotey (Young) Khan, Aladi, and Amirbaksh. According to
Mangru in his text, Indenture and Abolition, "Moula Bux was nicknamed 'munshiji'
(scribe or writer) was formerly an office worker in a jute factory in India"
(86). Dildar Khan according to Mangru was recruited in Kanpur, India.
It
would seem from the tenacity of these Khans who were involved in the Rose
hall uprising that they fit the profile of the firebrand Pathans. Pathans
never let tyranny to go unpunished. It is part of their "code of honour" to
roots out injustice and defends the weak from exploitation. And this is exactly
what the Pathans did in Guyana.
NOT
ALL KHANS ARE PATHANS
The
Pathans have played an important role in the history of their region. From
their community came Muslim rulers, administrators, and soldiers. While many
of them have moved out of the highlands in search of an easier life in the
plains, their mountainous homeland continues to be their citadel of strength
and freedom. Thus great number of Pathans migrated to India, but with the
division of the subcontinent in 1947 most Pathans are now in areas control
by Pakistan.
A
well known Indian Muslim community is Pathan. The Pathans are Muslims who
arrived from Afghanistan. They normally have their surname as Khan. Regardless
of how far the Pathans travel "Puktunwali" is kept. The Pathans in India still
have an image of being brave, honest and righteous. Many Indians who adopted
Islam adopted the surname Khan and they claim that they are Pathans, which
is not always true. , but a considerable amount of them live in northern India.
Guyanese are very familiar with some Indian of Pathan heritage: Feroz Khan,
Shahrukh Khan, Amjad Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan, among
many others. Pathans claim many interesting stories of their origin.
Like
some of the Khans of India, not all the Khans of Guyana are Pathans; many
later converts to Islam adopted this noble title as their surname. The true
Khans of the Pathan race are obvious because of their unique character and
phenotype. In trying to research this subject, a few Guyanese Muslims have
discussed with me their Pathan heritage. Their recollections are vague but
not farfetched. However, there are Pathans not bearing the last name Khan
who made it to the shores of Guyana and Suriname. One family traced their
great grandfather to the Pakistan/Afghan border. In fact, this family had
artifacts of this family member, by using his Pathan shalwar Kameez; thus
they were able to trace the village from where he migrated. Many others with
Pathan features spoke of their Pathan heritage but had limited facts to enrich
their history. This has frustrated many of them who yearn to hold on to this
heritage.
Naturally
South Asian Muslims, the ancestors of the majority of Guyanese Muslims, are
ethnically diverse. The coming of the Persians, Turks, Afghans, Arabs, Greeks,
and Mongols to India added to the rich and exotic bloodline of South Asian
Muslims, especially those of the north bordering Iran, Afghanistan and Kashmir.
This interbreeding with the locals is evident in phenotype of the local Muslim
population. Thus, Guyanese Muslims, decedent of Indo-Pakistanis Muslims come
from a diverse racial background, which is evident in their phenotype
In
physical appearance the Pathan has more in common with the people of Central
Asia and the Caucasus region than with those of the subcontinent. They have
fine aquiline features, high check-bones and light skin. This contrast greatly
with Guyanese Muslims of Dravidian stock. The majority of Guyanese are of
North Indian stock, while a small numbers are of Dravidian, southern stock.
Much interbreeding is a common practice in Guyana. But a small number of Guyanese
Muslims with percentage of Pathan blood is evident in their phenotype because
of their length, light skin, alequine noise, amber to green eyes.
Many
races came to Hindustan and settled; the invaders quickly became Indians and
assimilated. Most Guyanese do not know that most Indian communities have a
mixed ancestry. Indian roots derive from a mixed ancestry that includes the
Proto-australoid, Paleo-mediterranean, Caucasian, Negroid, Mongoloid. The
racial components that have gone into making the Indian peoples are the Aryan,
Afghan, Greek, Hun, Arab, Turk, African, Mongol, and European. These have
got so intertwined that none of them can be found in their pure form in India
today.
HOW
CAN YOU TRACE THIS HERITAGE FOOD/CLOTHING/LANGUAGE
Getting
access to immigration records in the archives of Guyana is difficult if not
impossible. Explanation is that the records are very fragile, yet no one is
willing to invest the money to microfilm these important documents and have
them available on line. With the help of the Dutch this was achieved in Suriname.
Thus, the writer was able to access the Immigrations Certificates of indentured
migrants to Suriname. Since the immigration patterns from British India to
Guyana and Suriname was the same, I was able to substantiate my thesis of
Pathans migration to the region. Hopefully, I will have access to the records
in Guyana soon. But all of us can be rest assured that Afghans Muslims came
to the shores of Guyana and Suriname and contributed greatly.
If
one has access to his/her ancestor's immigration records it won't be difficult
to ascertain if they were Pathans. The last name Khan is a major clue, but
not always so, for many have also adopted this title. Besides vital statistics,
the Immigration Certificate indicates district of origin as well as the Police
station and the place where the immigrant was dropped off before heading to
the port of Calcutta. For example:
Sex:
M
Age: 26
Colour: Brown
Height: 1.7? (A number is missing)
Marks:
Nationality: British Indian
District: Pichaur (this is Peshawar, NWFP, now in Pakistan)
Police Post Mardain (Mardan, NWFP)
Drop off at: Balagli
Caste: Mosalman (Muslim)
Children : N (none)
Phenotype
can also help in distinguishing, but not always the case. The fact that Muslims
under the category of caste are identified as "Mosalman", "Musalman" or Mohammedan,
etch also makes it harder. However many of them under the category of caste
identified themselves as Pathans. This naturally leaves no doubt of their
ethnicity. Another important clue that will help in identifying them as Pathans
is the district in which they are from, but this in my opinion will work on
if they are from, Peshawar, Mardan or Nowsherra which are districts in the
North West Frontier Province (also know as the Afghan areas).
Pathans
are meat lovers. Many were meat handlers in Guyana and some owned businesses
in Georgetown. There was always, a mince mill in the home of the Pathans to
grind meat for kofta kebab. They substituted the tandoor over for the local
fireside in Guyana to cook their kebabs. The famous Firni pudding for desert
was served on all auspicious occasions. Some Muslims call it Sirni and cooked
it differently from the Pathans. The diet of the Pathan Afghan Guyanese was
quite different from the Indian Muslims but eventually the authentic cuisine
of the Afghans died as the sprinkle of Afghans interbred with non Afghan Muslims.
Never could I forget my Grand Father's sister Haniffa (Khala) who always grounded
meat to cook. Her looks, habits and diet in her home made her stand out amongst
her Muslim brethren. During her lifetime she hardly set foot on the grounds
of the plantation that her husband Ishaq Hussein managed for Amin and Ahmad
Sankar.
The
clothing of the Afghan Guyanese Muslims was quite different than that of the
Muslim Indian. While the Muslim Indian men wore the Indian Shirt and Pajama,
the Afghan wore the baggy Shalwar (pants) and Kameez (shirt). The Afghan prefers
lose baggy wear; both males and females wore baggy modest clothing. Indian
Muslims wore brighter colour clothing; while Afghan Muslims wore subtle colours.
The
fact that scholars have not explored the history of Guyanese Muslims, not
much is known about this subject much less the Afghans Muslims. However, my
work on the subject I hope will stir interest, which I have already seen.
While we know that Afghan Pathans speak Pashto, there is no evidence of Pashto
or Persian written literature in neither Guyana nor Suriname. But there can
be no doubt that Pastho was spoken by some of these Pathans especially those
who migrated directly from the NWFP. And who knows, such literature may still
exist today among families.
A
SAMPLE OF SOME PATHANS WHO MADE THE JOURNEY
Nasiban,
Mohamed Nasir
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
04-GESLACHT
V
05-LEEFTIJD 20
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Barabanki
22-POLITIEPOST Bahraich
23-DORP Bashirganj
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pattian
39-KINDGEGEVENS J
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels SS. Indus III
07-MONSTERNUMMER 693
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 10/27/1908
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 12/5/1908
36-PLANTER P.M.Nahar Beheerder van
37-PLANTAGE Plantage Katwijk
01-CODENR Kk/1533
28-BEGIN_CON 12/5/1908
29-EIND_CON 12/5/1913
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET MEMO-INFORMATIE
Abdul
Rahman, Malahay Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
04-GESLACHT
M
05-LEEFTIJD 21
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE 1.58
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN moedervlekken rechterschouder
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Barabanki
22-POLITIEPOST Bhilsar
23-DORP Khetasewai
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Musulman (Pathan)
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM
Engels SS. Indus IV
07-MONSTERNUMMER 668
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 4/25/1914
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/4/1914
36-PLANTER
L.M. Pos, beheerder van plantage Nieuw Meerzorg
37-PLANTAGE Plantage Nieuw Meerzorg
01-CODENR Qq/925
28-BEGIN_CON 6/4/1914
29-EIND_CON 6/4/1919
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Abdulla, Intiazkh
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT
M
05-LEEFTIJD 18
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE 1.53
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Gonda
22-POLITIEPOST Utraula
23-DORP Bareya
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pathan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels schip "Sutlej"
07-MONSTERNUMMER 142
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 1/15/1909
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 2/22/1909
36-PLANTER A.J.E. van der Feen, beheerder
37-PLANTAGE pl.Meerzorg
01-CODENR Ll/4
28-BEGIN_CON 2/22/1909
29-EIND_CON 2/22/1914
30-HERBEGIN 2/28/1916
31-HEREIND 2/28/1921
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Mahomed Raja Khan, Wozir Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 20
16-HUIDSKLEUR bruin
15-LENGTE 1.644
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Shasahanpur
22-POLITIEPOST Mirzapore
23-DORP Ban 19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pathan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels schip "Erne II" & Peshwa
07-MONSTERNUMMER 131
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 1/25/1894
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 4/14/1894
36-PLANTER
Agenten der Nederl. Handel Maatschappij
37-PLANTAGE Pl.Marienburg en Zoelen(Ben. Commewijne)
01-CODENR W/251
28-BEGIN_CON 4/14/1894
29-EIND_CON 4/14/1899
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Jamin Shaw,
Modut Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 25
16-HUIDSKLEUR lichtbruin
15-LENGTE 1.756
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN geen
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Peshawar
22-POLITIEPOST Moteekundan
23-DORP Shawajgunah
19-BEROEP veld of fabriekarbeid
18-KASTE Mahomedaan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels schip "Clive"
07-MONSTERNUMMER 44
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 7/4/1877
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 8/29/1877
36-PLANTER
W.G.H.Barnet Lyon prive 299
37-PLANTAGE Pl.Jagtlust(Ben Sur)
01-CODENR F/156
28-BEGIN_CON 8/30/1877
29-EIND_CON 8/30/1882
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS vertr
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE Vertrokken naar Calcutta per Ss Kilda op
30 oct 1879. Vw.c.
zie c.dd 1877 te Calcutta gesl.
at contractnumber X/157.
----------------------------------------------------------
Lalkhan, Hasankhan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 22
16-HUIDSKLEUR licht pokdalig
15-LENGTE 1.6
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Gonda
22-POLITIEPOST Srinagar
23-DORP Dammankhan Kapurwa
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pathan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM
Ganges
07-MONSTERNUMMER 115
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 6/5/1908
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 7/18/1908
36-PLANTER
Pieter Alexander May, gemachtigde van F.R.Folmer, beheerder
37-PLANTAGE Plantage Jagtlust
01-CODENR Kk/971
28-BEGIN_CON 7/18/1908
29-EIND_CON 7/18/1913
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38- VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Mahammud, Maola Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 20
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE 1.68
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN 2 moedervlekjes op rechterschouder
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Jounpore
22-POLITIEPOST Machlisahar
23-DORP Mirpur
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pathan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels SS. Indus IV
07-MONSTERNUMMER 180
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 4/25/1914
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/4/1914
36-PLANTER J.Lawtan, beheerder van plantage de Vrede.
37-PLANTAGE Pl. De Vrede
01-CODENR Qq/1502
28-BEGIN_CON 6/4/1914
29-EIND_CON 6/4/1919
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
Bij
vonnis v/h H.v.J. dd. 11.9.1929 No.41 veroordeeld tot 9 maanden gev.straf
met openb.tewerkstelling wegens heling.
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Gulamjan, Saith Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
------------------------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 19
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE 1.63
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN pokdalig; moedervl. R borst
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Peshaur
22-POLITIEPOST Nachera
23-DORP Nachera
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Mosulman
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels schip Sutlej III
07-MONSTERNUMMER 62
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 11/27/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 1/7/1914
36-PLANTER T.Folmer Beheerder
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Jagtlust
01-CODENR Qq/98
28-BEGIN_CON 1/7/1914
29-EIND_CON 1/7/1919
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
C.V.O. afgegeven 23-1-1919 no 43. Premie ontvangen uit Immigr.fonds, zie akte
D.C. van Ben.Com. d.d. 5/4/1919. Bij besch. van 17-1-1921 no 71 in huur afgestaan
perceel no...
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Jandaz, Mirali
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 22
16-HUIDSKLEUR
15-LENGTE 1.67
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN litt.rechter scheenbeen,grijze ogen
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Peshaur
22-POLITIEPOST Peshaur
23-DORP Peshaur
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Musulman
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Engels schip Sutlej III
07-MONSTERNUMMER 614
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 11/27/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 1/7/1914
36-PLANTER T.Folmer Beheerder
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Jagtlust/ Rust en Werk
01-CODENR Qq/102
28-BEGIN_CON 1/7/1914 29-EIND_CON 1/7/1919
30-HERBEGIN 2/10/1919
31-HEREIND 2/10/1924
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Iftekarali Khan, Ismail Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 22
16-HUIDSKLEUR bruin
15-LENGTE 1.63
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Janhora
22-POLITIEPOST Kotwali
23-DORP Kotwali
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pattan
39-KINDGEGEVENS J
25-SCHIPNAAM SS. Mutlah
07-MONSTERNUMMER 272
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 5/12/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/23/1913
36-PLANTER H.M.D.Robertson(gemachtigde v/d erven R.Kirke, beheerder van
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Hazard
01-CODENR Pp/110
28-BEGIN_CON 6/23/1913
29-EIND_CON 6/23/1918
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
----------------------------------------------------------
Din Mohamed, Nagiros Khan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 17
16-HUIDSKLEUR bijna zwart
15-LENGTE 1.65
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Lucknow
22-POLITIEPOST Mirjaganj
23-DORP Kewalhan
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pattan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM SS. Mutlah
07-MONSTERNUMMER 44
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 5/12/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/23/1913
36-PLANTER
A. Schields Beheerder
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Alliance
01-CODENR Pp/257
28-BEGIN_CON 6/23/1913
29-EIND_CON 6/23/1918
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE Bij
vonnis voor het Hof van Justitie dd. 27 Nov. 1915 ter zake van diefstal veroordeeld
tot gevangenisstraf van 3 jaren. Afgekeurd bij besch. A.G. dd. 24 December
1915 No. 1164/V. C.v.O. dd. 29-11-18 No. 631. Vertrokken naar Calcutta op
5 maart 1920 per Ss Madioen.
----------------------------------------------------------
Kalo Bibi, Chandkhan
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT V
05-LEEFTIJD 30
16-HUIDSKLEUR bruin
15-LENGTE 1.44
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Dholpur
22-POLITIEPOST Dholpur
23-DORP Dholpur
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pattan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM SS. Mutlah
07-MONSTERNUMMER 216
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 5/12/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/23/1913
36-PLANTER M.Welle (Agent Sur.Cult.Mij. Dordrecht & Peperpot)
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Peperpot
01-CODENR Pp/513
28-BEGIN_CON 6/23/1913
29-EIND_CON 6/23/1918
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE C.v.O. 10-10-'16. Afgekeurd wegens lich. ongeschiktheid. Zie
brief D.C. Ben. Comm. dd. 11/10/16 No. 1853. Gehuwd met Abdool 536/W op 29
jan. 1919 te Paramaribo (Ag. 19 No. 236/O). Premie ontvangen uit Imfds. Zie
akte A.G. van 6-1-20. Besch. d.d 31-12-1920. Heeft toestemming van Abdool
om naar Calcutta te vertrekken.
----------------------------------------------------------
Zizan, Mazid
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
-------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT V
05-LEEFTIJD 24
16-HUIDSKLEUR bruin
15-LENGTE 1.45
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Barelli
22-POLITIEPOST Bar
23-DORP Bar
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Pattan
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM
SS. Mutlah
07-MONSTERNUMMER 409
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 5/12/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/23/1913
36-PLANTER
H.M.D.Robertson(gemachtigde v/d erven R.Kirke, beheerder van
37-PLANTAGE Pl. Hazard
01-CODENR Pp/130
28-BEGIN_CON 6/23/1913
29-EIND_CON 6/23/1918
30-HERBEGIN
31-HEREIND
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS
38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE Kind: Jhuman, j, geb. 23 oct. 1914 op pl. Hazard (Ag. 1914
No. 2149/O). Jhuman overleden 5 nov. 1914 op pl. Hazard (Ag. 1914 No. 2328/O).
Vertrokken naar Calcutta op 5 maart 1920 per Ss Madioen.
----------------------------------------------------------
Abdul Malik, Gulam Rasul
Relaties:* van ; van ; van
----------------------------------------------------------
04-GESLACHT M
05-LEEFTIJD 26
16-HUIDSKLEUR bruin
15-LENGTE 1.7
17-HERKENNINGSTEKEN litt.hoofd
20-NATIONALITEIT Brits Indie
21-DISTRICT Pichaur
22-POLITIEPOST Mardain
23-DORP Balagli
19-BEROEP
18-KASTE Mosalman
39-KINDGEGEVENS N
25-SCHIPNAAM Mutlah
07-MONSTERNUMMER 359
34-WERVINGSINSTANTIE het koloniaal gouvernement
24-AFREISPLAATS Calcutta
26-AFREISDATUM 5/12/1913
35-AANKOMSTPLAATS Paramaribo
27-AANKOMSTDATUM 6/23/1913
36-PLANTER
M.Welle, Ged. der Sur.Cult. MJ Dorderecht en Perperpot
37-PLANTAGE PL. Peperpot
01-CODENR Pp/585
28-BEGIN_CON 6/23/1913
29-EIND_CON 6/23/1918
30-HERBEGIN 7/5/1918
31-HEREIND 1/5/1921
32-REBEGIN
33-REEIND
08-KLSTATUS 38-VERZET
MEMO-INFORMATIE
Gerecontr. voor 21„2 jaar. Overleden 31 Dec. 1918 op Peperpot
(Ag'19
No
-------------------------------------------------------
CAN
YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION:
Why
did many Muslim/Pathans left British India in 1916?
EXPLANATION
OF DATA
01 Contractnumber The contract numbers are the official identification numbers
of the immigrants
02
Name
03 Given name
04 Gender
05
Age
06
Immigration register This shows the number part referring to the year concerned
and the numbers of the immigrants in the number concerned, for example: Aa/243
occurs in the Register referred to as Aa 1 - 616. This Register contains the
records of the first 616 immigrants whose contract number is preceded by the
letters Aa.
07 Sign-up number This was the number allocated to the immigrant in the muster-roll
of the ship. This number consisted of an identification number allocated by
the emigration officer in Calcutta. The sign-up number differed from the contract
number, since the sequence of registration on arrival in Surinam/Guyana differed
from the sequence of registration at the time of departure from India. The
sign-up number is important for those who wish to search for data in the Indian
archives. For this purpose one needs the sign-up number and the name of the
ship (plus the year of sailing).
08 Did / did not stay, deceased These data were copied from the folders, which
mentioned for each immigrant whether they had died or left. If there is no
mention next to the name of the immigrant, this means that the immigrant was
still alive at the time the folder was filled out.
09
-14 Family connection In the event that a contract worker was related to another
contract worker, the nature of the relationship was recorded, as well as the
contract number of the relative. The family connections that were recorded
were: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, cousin (m/f), and uncle.
15
Physical height The physical height was often indicated in millimetres.
16
Skin colour
17
Distinguishing features Scars or any other physical identification marks.
18 Religion or caste Initially, the section for Religion was filled out stating
Hindu or Mohammedan/Muhammadan/Mussulman/Muslim/Moslem. Later on, one started
to mention the caste in case of Hindus, instead of religion. In some cases
the term shaik was filled in for Muslims, which is incorrect.
19 Profession Until 1882, the section for Profession was filled out stating
either field or factory worker. Since then this section was left blank, probably
because of the fact that all immigrants from British India were recruited
for work in the fields or factories.
20
Country of birth Apart from immigrants born in British India, there were also
immigrants who were born in Jamaica, Natal or Fiji.
21-23
District, Police Station, Village Last place of residence of the immigrant.
For each immigrant there are three indications: the district (zilla), police
station (thana), and village (gaun). In contracts dated before April 1, 1886,
the term pergunnah (= pargana, part of a district) was recorded instead of
thana (please refer to De Klerk, 1953, p. 86).
24
Place of departure This was Calcutta
Note
to Readers:
This
is the start of this sketchy research but with the massive media via the Internet
it is my hope that Guyanese with Afghan links will share their history with
me so that we can begin recording this fascinating history of our ancestors
and share it with the future generations. Finding concrete proof of the Afghan
connection to Guyana and Suriname was a major break through in my research.
The great work of the Surinamese people and the Dutch Government has enabled
me to make this breakthrough. Mr. S. Hussein a young man of Guyanese background,
who himself have Pathan roots has helped me enormously in this endeavour.
You
can contact me at:
Rchickrie@hotmail.com