Muslim Vora/Vhora community of Gujarat

                                     Gujarati Vhora Muslims are wealthiest & most prosperous among all Gujarat Muslim communities. Vhora word derived from Vhoravu means to trade.Vhora/Vora are Muslim of Mustali branch of Shia Ismaili Muslims.They have been living in Gujarat since the 11th century.In 1067 AD Dai Abdulla came Khambhat from Haraz Yemen. He was sent here to preach Ismaili sect by Ismaili head Mullah of Yemen Arabia.In 11 to 13 century many Gujarati upper castes Brahmin, Nagar & Vanik adopted Islam & became Shia Vhora under influence of Mustali preachers.Vhora/Vora is also a surname of upper castes Brahmin, Nagar & Vanik Hindu communities of Gujarat.Some Shia Ismaili Vhora families came into Gujarat with their Mota Mullaji-spiritual head from Aden in 1539 AD.Some Shia Ismaili Vhora families came into Gujarat with their Mota Mullaji-spiritual head from Aden in 1539 AD.In middle age from 14 century Shia Ismaili sect Saints, Mullah & preachers were harassed by Gujarat's Muslim rulers as they were Sunni Muslims.

                                       11th century Mustali Shia Ismaili preacher Dai Abdulla was great erudite. He studied Hindu religion, custom & tradition at Khambhat & Patan.11-12th century Gujarat king Siddharaj Jaysinh Solanki went to Shia Mustali Ismaili Dai Abdulla to pay respects.He honoured Dai Abdulla.Under influence of spiritual power & miracle of Shia Mustali Ismaili Saint Dai Abdulla, many Gujarati Hindu adopted Islam & became Shia Vhora.In 14 & 15 century during Sultnat time, Shia Vhora were harassed & tortured by Sultans who were Sunni Muslims.So many Shia Vhora became SunniIn 15th century founder of Ahmedabad Gujarat Sultan Ahmedshah killed Shia Vhora head Mullaji as he did not begin Ramzan as per Sunni rules.

                                        In 1539 AD 24th Dai/Vada Mullaji-spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Vhora Yusuf Najamuddin came from Yemen & founded 1st Gadi-seat at Siddhapur.Places of Gadi-seat of Dai-spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Daudi Vora from 1539 AD to present; Siddhpur, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Ujjain, Burhanpur & Surat.After the death of Shia Mustali Ismaili Vhora's spiritual head 26th Dai Daudji in 1588 AD, they were divided into Sulaymani Vhora & Daudi Vhora.Sub sects of Mustali Shia Ismaili Vhora: Jafari, Sulaymani, Alia, Nagoshi and Daudi.Shia Ismaili Vhora sub sect Nagosi Vhora was founded in 1789 AD in Gujarat. Nagosi means no Gost-meat.These Nagosi Vhora were vegetarian.Male names of Gujarati Vhora/Vora Muslims is suffixed by 'ali' or 'ji' e.g. Taiyabali, Musaji, Ganiji etc.Some Gujarati Vhora Muslim surname indicate their profession/goods-commodity they sale/their domicile city eg Nalwala, Rangwala, Rangoonwala.In old time Vhora Muslims were known also as 'Lotia' in Gujarat because of their Lota-metal water jug without handle shape Paghadi-turban.In 19th century many Gujarati Vhora Muslims migrated to Africa,Burma,Malaya,Indonesia Aden & gulf countries for business and settled there.
In 19th & early 20th century Vhora Muslims built magnificent European style mansions furnished with western furniture at Siddhpur,Surat & Mumbai.Old Gujarati proverb " VHORA NO MAL RODA MA JAY" means Vhora's wealth/money is expended in stones ( buildings ).

Written by Bipin Thanky
( Tweets of my twitter handle @GujaratHistory )