Early Students of DJCollege

 

EARLY STUDENTS OF D.J.SINDH COLLEGE

We Sindhis have unique psychology. We are leaders for others but, at war with each other. Sir Agha Khan leaded the deputation in 1905 to see Viceroy of India for redressing of problems of Muslims of India. Quaid-i-Azam  headed Muslim League and earned Pakistan. Likewise, other Sindhi leaders played leading role at all India level. As for as the internal story is concerned, we/our forefathers failed to maintain national unity and harmony in Sindh.  We all know that All India Congress was formed in 1885.But, it is amazing to note that in Sindh, a Social-cum-political party SINDH SABHA was formed in 1882 i.e three years before establishment of CONGRESS.

Sindh Sabha consisted of three major segments of Sindh and they were Muslims, Hindus and Parsees. Dyaram Jethmal and Hassan Ali Effendi were leaders of their respective communities. But, their differences divided Sindh into two camps for ever. I am not here to fix that responsibility  to any leader but, have to trace the history for the establishment of Sindh Madressah-tul-Islam and D.J.Dindh College.  Both leaders formed different opinion on three points: 1). Separate electorate for election,2) relationship with Government and  3. Promotion of education in Sindh. Hassan Ali Effendi was in favour of Separate electorate for Hindus and Muslims, Dyaram Jethmal was in favour of being near to Government and Hassan Ali wanted Secondary education for Muslims, whereas Dyaram Jethmal intended Higher education for all. Hassan Ali Effendi left SINDH SABHA and formed SINDH MUHAMMADAN ASSOCIATION and Sindh Madreesah. Dyaram Jethmal  established Sindh Arts College, that was later on renamed as Dyaram Jethmal  College [D.J.Sindh College] after his death.

The opening of the Sind Arts College- subsequently named “The Dayaram Jethmaql Sind College” – at Karachi, on 17^th January 1887, by Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay, was an epoch-making event in the annals of the province. Sind, one of the last Indian provinces to pass under the British rule, was perhaps the least developed of all. Educationally, it remained backward even under the British administration, until this college arose to dispel the thick gloom of ignorance. Before 1887 not a single Sindhi had passed the School Final examination. A few had matriculated of whom the following had taken a degree:- Thirteen B.A’s (all from the Elphinstone College, Bombay), namely, Chuharmal Kundanmal Punjabi (1865, First Division), Alumal Trikamdas Bhojwani (1867, Second Division), Sadikali Faridun Mirza (1872), Techkchand Udhavads Vaswani (1875) Dayaram Gidumal Shahani (1878, Second Class and Ellis Scholarship), Harchandri Vishindas Bharwani (1882, Second Class), Vazirmal Uttamchand Lalvani (1887), Tahilram Khemchand Vazirani (1884, Second Class), Bulchan Kodumal Jagtiani (1884), Hiranand Khemsing Advani (1886, Second Class), Mathradas Javahri (1886, Second Class), Himatsing Gajsing Advani (1886) and Dalmatrai Roshiram Lalvani.

Almost of all these Students earned name and fame. Dayaram Gidumal Shahani became outstanding Scholar, Social Reformer and Philosopher of his own right. He was born in 1857 that was the year of “War of Independence” and he used to say that “I am born in 1857, there for you will find War in my thoughts and actions”. We he was very old, he married a young girl. It was his drastic step and violation of Hindu Traditions and values. He faced a big opposition and that issue was taken by Press also.  Mahatma Gandi and Moluana Azad tried to see him, but, he refused to meet with them.

And other Student Harchandri Vishindas Bharwani was an outstanding Freedom Fighter and he breathed his last soon after participating in Assembly Session to oppose the Simon Commission. He was the first Politian who demanded the separation of Sindh form Bombay Presidency and later on he became the Leader of Hindus those opposed separation of Sindh form Bombay Presidency.

While going through the records of the D.J.Sindh College, we find that following were early students of the college:                   

1.      Alimchandani, Bulchand Dayaram                                                                                        

2.       Alimchandani, Lilaram Jethmal

3.      Belara, Basarmal Tarachand:

4.      Bhagchandani, Verhomal Lokumal:

5.      Bhavnani, Chandiram Doulatram

6.      Bhavnani, Pohumal Bakaasrai

7.      Chainani, Khubchand Jethmal

8.      Dadachanji, Dorabji Sorabji

9.      Datani. Abdul Kadir Umerkhan

10.  Gulrajani, Assudamal Amarsing

11.  Gursayani, Kimatrai Gagandas

12.  James, John Vincent

13.  Jhangiani, Gidumal Awatrai

14.  Jhangiani, Premchand Awatrai

15.  Jagtiani, Valiram Kodumal

16.  Karamchandani, Hardasmal U 

17.  Kirpalani, Ghanshamdas Khatanmal

18.  Lalvani, Tarachand Alimchand

19.  Lalvani, Kishna Uttamchand

20.  Malkan, Udharam Shewakram

21.  Mandvivala, Yusafali Alibhai

22.  Minwala, Jijibhoy Merwanji

23.  Mirchandani, Motiram Udharam

24.  Mahomed, Yousiff

25.  Malkani, Rutonmal Gidumal

26.  Pahalajani, Bhojsing Gurudinamal

27.  Primalani, Hassomal Kalachand

28.  Shivdasani, Jethanand Choithram

29.  Thandani, Uttamchand Gangaram

 From these Students Alimchandani, Bulchand Dayaram Known as Rao Bahadur, son of Hon’ble Dayaram Jethmal after whom the College is named. Was one of the first batch of students in 1886 – 1887. B.A. One of the finest scholars Sind. Has produced. Wrote articles of merit in Sindhi and English. Principal N.H . Academy Hyderabad Sind, and President Hyderabad Municipality for a number of years. Fellow, University of Bombay. One of the most valuable members on the College Standing Committee for years. Another Students Alimchandani, Lilaram Jethmal Born 1865. Belonged to the first batch of senior students of this College. B.A. in 1890. L.L.B. 1893. Practised Law for two years. Was taken up on the Provincial Civil Service (Judicial) in 1896 and appointed as Sub-ordinate (second class) judge in the second grade. In 1914 promoted to be joint judge and Sessions Judge. A pioneer Social Reformer, interested in female education. Has been President, Kundanmal Girls School Association. Took great pain in the foundation and establishment of the D.G. National Collage Hyderabad. He has done noble work for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A sportsman and Physical Culturist. One of the two surviving first students of this College, andJhangiani, Premchand Awatrai did B.A and served as translator, and Karamchandani, Hardasmal U did B.A. Joined the Revenue Department where he rose to be Collector.