Over a century ago (1882), Mazahar Khan arrived on the shores of  the colony of British Guiana from Calcutta, India. As an indentured laborer brought by the British, he was bound for Plantation Caledonia located on the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam. Although we knew of his life as a contract laborer and his subsequent generations in British Guiana, little was known of his past, his childhood, his family and his birth place.
And so it was, that 106 years later, one of his grandsons, would make this historic journey to the motherland of India to find the answers to these and many other burning questions.

In September of 1998, Uncle Ayube decided to embark on this very important and exciting mission to India armed with the only document available, Mazahar Khan's Emigration Certificate issued in Calcutta on August 22nd. 1882.

He flew from New York to Delhi and was met by his tour guide/ driver / interpreter RAGU. Early the next day he was picked up from his hotel and driven 80km North East of Delhi to the city of "MEERUT". Their first stop was at the Police Station in "MOOANAH" Meerut. Ragu knew that if they were to find this village where Mazahar was born, they would need to get information from the local police station. In that part of the country where villages can literally disappear overnight, there was no guarantee that the village had still existed. As luck would have it though, Somdut was still in existence and the police was able to give general directions to Ragu and Uncle Ayube to its location. As he left the police station, the excitement was building in Uncle Ayube as he moved closer in his quest of finding his roots.

From Mooanah, Meerut and with directions in hand, they set out to find the village of Somdut, a treacherous journey that would have them both debate on several occasions, the possibility of discontinuing their journey. As they ventured slowly into the unknown remote areas of Meerut, their progress was hampered by terrible dirt roads, many of which had severely eroded to unsafe conditions. These washed out roads made driving perilous but Uncle Ayube was encouraged by Ragu's courage and driving 'skills'. On many occasions along they way they stopped to get additional directions from the locals.

After what seems to be an eternity, they finally drove into the small village of Somdut, it had been nine long hours since they left the police station at Mooanah. Fatigue had started to step in and Uncle Ayube didn't know how much more travel his 72 year old body could take.

As he stepped out of the car and limped around the get the circulation back in his legs, Uncle Ayube surveyed the village and its surroundings. It had indeed stood the test of time, the village was relatively developed, the villagers were mostly indoor and among the dwellings, in its quiet center of attraction laid the solemn structure of the village Mosque.

He made his way to the Mosque. After the ceremonial greetings of Peace and salutations Uncle Ayube informed the Ustaad about his mission to India and to the village of our ancestor.  He inquired about "Khans" in the village or nearby villages, but the Ustaad said that the "old people" from the village had all passed away, except for this old man. He could not walk on his own any longer and his hearing was very weak. He wasn't sure how much of a help this man could be. Not wanting to believe that his efforts were all in vain, and having traveled so far just to return empty handed, Uncle Ayube agreed to meet this person.

Some of the boys from the Masjid went to the old man's house and bodily carried him to the Mosque where he met with Uncle Ayube. As you could imagine, the whole village turned out to witness the spectacle. Through the interpreter, the Ustaad and the grandson of the old man, a long discussion ensued. After more than an hour, and to the disbelief and astonishment of everyone there, it was discovered that the old man was a relative.

The man's name was Hurma Khan, and he happened to be OUR OLDEST LIVING ANCESTOR. At 110 yrs. old, he was the son of Chand Khan who was the brother of Sujati Hassan Khan, father of Mazahar(Mujohur) Khan. In other words, Hurma Khan was the first-cousin of Mazahar Khan.
 

 		   oldest living ancestor
Hurma Khan 1998		 It was then learnt that Mazahar Khan was a freedom fighter during the 1880's revolution against the British, (history claims that the revolution started in Meerut). In an attempt to retaliate, the British rounded up the "trouble makers" and sent them "kalla-paanie". Although Uncle Ayube was familiar with "kalla-paanie" from Guyana, he learnt a new meaning of the phrase in his conversation with the policemen at Mooanah, Meerut. It seems that when someone was sent "kalla-paanie" (black water) he or she was not expected to be heard of again. We can just imagine Hurma Khan's surprise when he found out that Mazahar Khan did survive "kalla-paanie" and arrived safely in British Guiana.
 
    Uncle Ayube was well received and was even invited to spend some time with Hurma Khan but he graciously declined.

From the Emigration Certificate we learnt that Mujohur Khan, son of Hassein Khan was 22 yrs. old when he was put on the "PLASSEY" at the port city of Calcutta, bound for Caledonia estate in British Guiana. He was from the village of Somdutt in Meerut. His identification mark was a scar on his right cheekbone.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to Uncle Ayube on behalf of the family, for making such a tremendous effort to pursue our roots, to make the contact with the 'other side', that can Insha-Allah, help us to extend our horizons of kinship and to bridge the gap of generations. May Allah (SWT) reward him generously.

Now that this important step has been taken, it is up to the young generation to hopefully capitalize on this historic achievement and use these links for further research into our bloodline that still exist in India today.