Hoosenally Rahimtoola

Last updated

Hoosenally Rahimtoola
Hoosenally Rahimtoola New.png
BornMay 1890
DiedJanuary 1977
EducationBachelor of Arts
Occupation(s)Legislator, Councillor
Known forMayor of Bombay 1934–35
Parent Jaffer Rahimtoola (Father)

Hoosenally Rahimtoola was a Legislator of the Bombay Presidency. [1] He remained Mayor of Bombay from 1934 to 1935 [2] and was Minister in the Provincial Government briefly in 1937. [3] Rahimtoola was also President of the Bombay Legislative Council during 1936.

Contents

Early life and education

Hoosenally M. Rahimtoola was born in May 1890 to a merchant trading family who were well established politically in Bombay. Being the first male grandchild in the family he was brought up by his elder uncle Mohammadbhoy Rahimtoola. [4]

Hoosenally achieved his secondary education from St. Xavier's High School, Bombay. [1] He took his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Bombay University 1911. [1] [5]

Career

He then joined business with family and remained active till partition of the sub-continent. One of the major industries that Hoosenally was involved in Cotton Mills. [6] He also remained a partner and Director in over a dozen public and private listed companies and made his name in the business world.

On the political front Rahimtoola was elected to the Municipal Corporation in 1918 where he remained active for many years in different capacities including being Councillor.

By 1920 Hoosenally had become a member of the Bombay Legislative Council of which he remained a permanent part till the late 1930s. His work on housing, local self-government, civic works remained a key part of his struggle and dedication. He served on several committees chief among them Sea Encroachments [1925], Black Bay Layout [1927], King George V Memorial Fund [1936–37] etc.

Hoosenally's association with the Bombay Improvements Trust instilled some important works of the time. He was Chairman Standing Committee in 1927–28 followed by Chairman Improvements Committee 1928–29.

In 1927 he was part of a board set up under the then Commissioner of Police Bombay Mr. D. Healy to look into sorting and regularizing the Hajj process for Muslims in British India. The First India Hajj Committee met in April of that year in Bombay and this was to become the initiation point of the modern national Hajj Committee's across 21st century India. [7]

During New Years dates of 1928–29 Hoosenally was representative of Bombay Presidency at the All India Muslim Conference held at Delhi. This conference was held under the Presidency of His Highness the Aga Khan and had representation from all localities of India.

By 1931 Hoosenally was appointed trustee of the Bombay Port Trust. He was representative of the Mill Owners Association and the Municipal Corporation simultaneously. He retained this position till end of that particular decade. [8] [9]

On the literary front Hoosenally Rahimtoola co-edited a book with Clifford Manshaw titled Bombay Municipality at Work in 1935. [10] [11]

During April 1934 Hoosenally Rahimtoola was elected Mayor of Bombay. He served the Corporation as Mayor for one year. The elevation to Mayoralty marked a key phase of his municipal career with which he was associated for a long time. [12] [13]

During 1935 Hoosenally Rahimtoola was part of the Provincial Delimitation committee set up by the Government to establish operational and financial procedures for Provincial autonomy including separation of Sindh as a separate entity. [14]

By 1936 Rahimtoola reached the zenith of his work with the Legislative Council as well. He was elected President of the Council – a term which he served for nearly a year till early 1937. This period also marked the completion of three decades of association for him with the provincial Legislature. [15]

The Provincial elections of 1937 provided an altogether different platform for Hoosenally to continue Legislative work. He was inducted as Minister Local Self Government for a brief period in the 'Cooper Cabinet' formed in Bombay under the Governorship of Lord Brabourne.

Indias Who's Who List of 1937–38 included Hoosenally Rahimtoola for his successive posting at important posts both politically and in trade. [8]

Family

Hoosenally's father, Jaffer Rahimtoola was a noted Barrister of the Bombay Presidency. He remained Mayor of Bombay between 1909–10 and was author of book 'History of the Khojas' published in 1905. [16] [17]

His son Shahbudin Rahimtoola was a widely acclaimed cardiologist based out of California. He had been responsible for his contribution to two clinical syndromes namely the hibernating myocardium and 'prosthetic valve-mismatch'. [17] [18]

His younger son Shamsuddin Rahimtoola was a prominent physician based out of Karachi. He remained principal of the Dow Medical College and Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, both based in the city. [17] [19]

Social welfare

On the social welfare front his activities embraced vast field viz. student activities, community work and memorials to stalwarts such as Shri Lalji Naranji, P.B.Dinshaw and D.E.Vacha. Making services to the Khoja Community a starting point he gradually enlarged its orbit.

He remained honorary auditor of the Islam Gymkhana from 1916 till 1926 and Member Gokhuldas Tejpal Hospital between 1924 till 1929. [8] He was also Member of the Bombay Branch of the Indian Red Cross since 1924 and the Bombay Vigilance Association.

Accolades

Hoosenally Rahimtoola's work in the field of education and social welfare was described as 'monumental' both as Councillor to the Corporation and Legislator to the Legislative Council. [12]

The State Gazetteer of Maharashtra described Hoosenally Rahimtoola as one of the 'glittering galaxy of powerful personalities’who had occupied the prestigious Mayoral office of Bombay alongside Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Vithalbhai Patel, K.F. Nariman, J.M. Mehta and Sir Homi Mody. [20] who had occupied the prestigious Mayoral office of Bombay alongside Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Vithalbhai Patel, K.F. Nariman, J.M. Mehta and Sir Homi Mody.

Hoosenally Rahimtoola was noted as a Khoja Community Icon for the period of first half of the twentieth century. [21]

Literary front

On the literary front Mr. Hoosenally Rahimtoola co-edited a book with Clifford Manshart titled 'Bombay Municipality at Work' in 1935. It was an archival of a symposium detailing the working of the Corporation and its effectiveness. [22]

Death

Hoosenally Rahimtoola passed away in January 1977 aged eighty seven whilst residing in Karachi, Pakistan.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aga Khan I</span> Politician

Hasan Ali Shah, known as Aga Khan I, was the 46th imam of the Nizari Isma'ilis. He served as the governor of Kirman and a prominent leader in Iran and later in the Indian subcontinent. He was the first Nizari imam to hold the title Aga Khan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vithalbhai Patel</span> Indian politician (1873–1933)

Vithalbhai Patel was an Indian legislator and political leader, co-founder of the Swaraj Party and elder brother of Sardar Patel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pherozeshah Mehta</span> Indian Parsi politician and lawyer

Sir Pherozeshah Merwanjee Mehta was an Indian politician and lawyer from Bombay. He was knighted by the British Government in India for his service to the law. He became the Municipal commissioner of Bombay Municipality in 1873 and its president four times – 1884, 1885, 1905 and 1911. Mehta was one of the founding members and President of the Indian National Congress in 1890 held at Calcutta.

Khurshed Framji Nariman, also known as Veer Nariman, was one of the second generation of Parsi stalwarts in the Indian National Congress. He remained Mayor of Bombay from 1935 for a year.

The Caucus Case was a court case handled by Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the behest of Sir Pherozeshah Mehta at the Bombay High Court in 1905. He won the case and emerged as an outstanding lawyer in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Legislative Council</span> Legislature issued in the British Raj (1861–1947)

The Imperial Legislative Council (ILC) was the legislature of British India from 1861 to 1947. It was established under the Government of India Act 1858 by providing for the addition of six additional members to the Governor General Council for legislative purposes. Thus, the act separated the legislative and executive functions of the council and it was this body within the Governor General's Council which came to known as the Indian/Central Legislative Council. In 1861 it was renamed as Imperial Legislative Council and the strength was increased.

Bombay Legislative Council was the legislature of the Bombay Province and later the upper house of the bicameral legislature of Bombay Province in British India and the Indian state of Bombay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piloo Mody</span> Indian architect and politician

Piloo Mody was an Indian architect and politician and one of the founding members of the Swatantra Party. Elected to the 4th and 5th Lok Sabhas, he served in the Rajya Sabha from 1978 until his death.

Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola was a Pakistani politician, diplomat primarily based out of Karachi. He served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom between (1947–52). Rahimtoola also served as Governor of Sindh (1953–54) and later as the Governor of Punjab (1954). He is considered one of the founders of Pakistan for his involvement as a leader of the Pakistan Movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1926 Indian general election</span>

General elections were held in British India between 28 October and late November 1926 to elect members of the Imperial Legislative Council and the Provincial Legislative Councils.

Sir Hormasji Pherozeshah Mody KBE, generally known as Sir Homi Mody was a noted Parsi businessman associated with Tata Group and an administrator of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation</span> Administrative body for the city of Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), or Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is the governing civic body of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homi Maneck Mehta</span>

Sir Homi Maneck Mehta KCIE KBE JP was an Indian industrialist.

The Advocate-General of Bombay was charged with advising the Government of the British administered Bombay Presidency on legal matters. The Presidency existed from 1668 to 1947. Prior to 1858, when it was administered by the East India Company, the Advocate-General was the senior law officer of that company and also the Attorney-General of the Sovereign of Great Britain. He was an ex-officio member of the Legislative Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaffer Rahimtoola</span> British Indian barrister

Jaffer Rahimtoola (1870–1914) was a Barrister belonging to the Bombay Presidency. He served as Mayor of Bombay between 1909 and 1910. Rahimtoola was also author of 'History of the Khojas' published in Gujrati during 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibrahim Rahimtoola</span>

Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoola was a politician and legislator in British India. He served as Mayor of Bombay, Chairman of the Fiscal Commission and later as President of the Central Legislative Assembly.

Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola (1895–1977) was an Indian politician. He served as Sheriff of Bombay and was a member of Bombay Legislative Council and Central Legislative Assembly during the British Raj.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahbudin Rahimtoola</span> Cardiologist

Shahbudin Rahimtoola was a cardiologist based in Los Angeles, United States. He served as a Distinguished Professor at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Rahimtoola was credited for his contribution to two clinical syndromes namely the hibernating myocardium and 'prosthetic valve-mismatch'.

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Bombay Civic Journal. Bombay Municipal Corporation. 1982.
  2. "Welcome to Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, India". portal.mcgm.gov.in.
  3. Bombay (India : State) (1935). Bombay.
  4. "Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D. | Travel your Heritage!". www.ismaili.net.
  5. Bombay, University of (14 February 1925). "The Bombay University Calendar". University of Bombay via Google Books.
  6. Rutnagur, Sorabji M. (14 February 1927). "Bombay Industries: The Cotton Mill. A Review of the Progress of the Textile Industry in Bombay from 1850 to 1926 and the Present Constitution, Management and Financial Position of the Spinning and Weaving Factories". Indian textile journal via Google Books.
  7. "Haj Committee of India". hajcommittee.gov.in.
  8. 1 2 3 Who's who in India, Burma & Ceylon. Who's Who Publishers (India) Limited. 1939.
  9. World Ports. May 1931.
  10. "Library of Caongress Name Authority File". Library of Congress . Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  11. "Rahimtoola, Hoosenally M." WorldCat . Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  12. 1 2 David Anthony Pinto; Marina Pinto (2005). Municipal Corporation Of Greater Mumbai And Ward Administration. Konark Publishers. ISBN   978-81-220-0699-5.
  13. Civic Affairs. P. C. Kapoor at the Citizen Press. 1980.
  14. Government of India Act, 1935: Report of the Committee Appointed in Connection with the Delimitation of Constituencies and Connected Matters. H.M. Stationery Office. 1936.
  15. Bombay (India : State) (1938). Bombay, a Review of the Administration of the Presidency. Printed at the Government Central Press.
  16. "54. Jaffer Rahimtullah (Rahimtoola) - page 222". ismaili.net.
  17. 1 2 3 "Hoosenally Rahimtoola". ismaili.net.
  18. "Former Ismaili Mayor of Bombay, Portrait of Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoola unveiled in the Indian Parliament". 15 June 2017.
  19. "Professor Shamsuddin H. Rahimtoola | Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh". www.rcpe.ac.uk.
  20. "The State Gazetteer of Maharashtra described Hoosenally Rahimtoola as one of the 'glittering galaxy of powerful personalities'".
  21. Naoroji M. Dumasia (1939). The Aga Khan and his Ancestors: A Biographical and Historical Sketch. Readworthy. p. 84. ISBN   978-93-5018-152-2.
  22. Most widely held works