Mohamed Yusuf

Mohamed Yusuf (Sindhi: محمد يوسف, also known as Sir Mohamed Yusuf – Sindhi: سر محمد يوسف), (born 1876; died 15 September 1965),[1] was an early 20th century Indian businessman and philanthropist. He was the proprietor of Bombay Steam Navigation Company.[2] The Yusuf family own vast amounts of land in Mumbai and the vicinity and is one of the ten largest private landowners in Mumbai.[3]

Life and Family

Mohamed Yusuf belonged to a Kutchi Memon family which trace its roots to modern Gujarat, and was the only son of Haji Ismail Hasham. In 1894, at the age of 18, he joined his father's company. The Bombay Steam Navigation Company was engaged in trade along the Konkan coast, and Mohamed helped his father expand these activities.

In 1910, he obtained Nhava island and subsequently estates in Jogeshwari (Mumbai) from the then British Indian government, on a 999-year lease and established a nautical college (Training Ship Rahaman – 1910), girl's school, dispensary and an educational institute (Ismail Yusuf college - 1923). He was knighted in 1914.[4]

He supported the swadeshi movement; was a patron of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and was a close friend of its founder Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. He also collected many books in English, Persian and Urdu on philosophy, literature and the arts in English, Persian and Urdu — these books are today maintained in the Marine museum on Nhava island.

Mohamed Yusuf was married to Khatun Marium and the couple had two sons of whom Abdul Rahaman Yusuf (Sindhi: عبدالرحمان يوسف) was the eldest.[5][6]

Mohamed Yusuf died on 15 September 1965. He is buried at the family mausoleum at the family house and estate Samandar mahal (Jahaz point, Worli). Ever year, on his death anniversary, a ceremony is performed by the cadets of Training Ship Rahaman at his mausoleum.

Legacy

References

  1. ↑ Jain, Naresh Kumar (1983). Muslims in India: A biographical dictionary. Delhi: Manohar Publishers. p. 215. ISBN 0836411501.
  2. ↑ Chainani, Shyam. Nhava & Sheva. India: Academic Foundation. ISBN 8171889654.
  3. ↑ Bharucha, Nauzer (21 July 2005). "Who are the city's biggest landlords". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "Marine Museum Nhava". TS Rahaman Official Website. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  5. ↑ جي. ايم. سيد, ed. (2005) [1965]. رهاڻ (in Sindhi) (Official تيون ed.). [Location] ڄام شورو: [Publisher] سنڌي ادبي بورڊ. HTML page No. 6. Retrieved 29 September 2013. (سهيڙ بندڙ جي. ايم. سيد.)(Sindhi)
    and Mr. Abdul Rahaman Yusuf had two sons. Mr. Faruq A. R. Yusuf is currently Sole Executor of the Estate left behind by the Sir. Mohamed Yusuf. [Syed, G.M., ed. (2005) [1965]. Rehan (web ed.). Jamshoro (Pakistan): Sindhi Adabi Board. (Compiled by G.M. Syed.)]
  6. ↑ Prospectus. India: TS Rahaman. p. 1.