Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s3.t7: Ismaili Traders
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s3.t7
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Ismaili Traders
v1.c5.s3.t7.1
Traders from the Ismaili Muslim community from western India formed an important segment of the Indian mercantile community on the China coast in the 19^th century CE. The Ismailis were a traditional trading community who took advantage of the new opportunities held out by the European penetration of Africa and Asia. Although better known for their commercial role in East Africa, they also had their presence in eastern Asia. In the early 19^th century CE, like the Parsi and Jewish traders from India, they engaged in trade in raw cotton, opium and other products of western India. Among them was the firm of Cassumbhoy Nathabhoy which was operating in Canton (Guangzhou) in the 1830s. After the establishment of the British colony in Hong Kong in 1842, some of the Ismaili merchants shifted base from Canton to Hong Kong. An 1864 list of 28 Indian traders compiled by the Hong Kong government contains the names of 15 Ismaili traders and firms. Abdoolally Ebrahim & Co, which was founded in 1841, remains today the oldest firm operating in Hong Kong under its original name. Established by Ebrahim Noordin, it traded in beans, spices, raw silk, sugar and cotton yarn among other things. By and large, the Ismaili enterprises were family firms. Some of the Ismailis acted as brokers for Parsi firms while others were independent merchants. Records show that in 1920, there were 240 Ismailis in Hong Kong but their number was only 60 by 1938. Some Ismaili merchants also established their base in Shanghai and took advantage of growing opportunities there. Families such as the Tyabjis, Roghays, Ghattys and Kurs made considerable fortunes from trade with China.
v1.c5.s3.t7.2
Lao Huo Hua “Zhuangyuan Jidi”, published as a overseas version in Hong Kong
v1.c5.s3.t7.3
(*Madhavi Thampi*)