Family histories play an important role in bringing the past to life. They are a source of inspiration to the clan and an anchor to the present. They are an invaluable primary source for historians to flesh out the chronicles of a place and its people.
Prof (Dr) Hosang F. Mogal who has written, edited and published in Gujarati Amé ‘Mogal’ Mahuvana (History of the Mogals of Mahuva), was born into a behdin family of Mahuva district in Surat, though the Mogal or Mughal families of Udvada are athornans.
As a child Mogal had to undertake a two-hour bus journey to his school in Navsari. On the way the bus would halt at Ugat, near the home of Erachsha Debu, and the young Mogal would be awestruck by a large framed family genealogical tree displayed at the entrance. He had also seen Jamsetji Tata’s family tree when visiting his birthplace in Navsari. Many years later he read Rusi Besania’s history of the Besania family, Mahuvani Dhup Sugandh — Besania Vanshavali (The fragrant family tree of the Besanias of Mahuva) which inspired him to write the history of his own family.
Mogal sourced material from the ledgers (hisab-kitabni chopdio) of the Mahuva Parsi Anjuman and from Bomi Adarji Mogal. His family members were pious Zoroastrians, closely connected with the religious life of the town. Mogal’s book also reveals the close ties through marriage between the Parsi families of Mahuva — the Mogals, Besanias, Kodias, Tampals and Bachas.
The author wonders how many people will read his family history in the age of the Internet, but desires nevertheless to set down on paper his love and deep respect for his ancestors and so keep their memory alive.
Though he mentions that his ancestors can be traced from the 18th century, he only provides detailed information from the time of his paternal grandfather Pestonji Hiraji Bhikhaiji Mogal whose brother, Cavasji, was the head of the family.
We get an insight into the problems faced by Parsi landlords in 1948 just after independence when the Land Reinforcement Act was enforced and prohibition introduced. It was Cavasji’s astuteness and far-sightedness that saved the family from losing its land.
Hosang provides brief but colorful sketches of his uncles and aunts, weaving in details of everyday life and customs. We learn about group navjotes — five or 10 at a time. He also writes about his maternal grandparents, Najamai and Jamshedji Kodia, and their families.
In 1910, when a new building was constructed on the site of the old dar-e-meher, thanks to the generous donation of Ardeshir Bhikhaji Patel of Andheri, Bombay, the maanpatra (scroll of honor) presented to him bore the signatures of three brothers of Hosang’s grandfather.
He speaks of his masi (mother’s sister) Jalamai who helped in taking care of her sister’s six children with great love and devotion (and, after her death, willed all her property to them). In India there is a saying that a mother’s loss can be borne but a masi’s loss is irreplaceable. Many Parsi children have been brought up by their maternal aunts. And it is with great regard and respect that Hosang writes of his beloved aunt.
Prof (Dr) Hosang Mogal: family facts
Jalamai later married Hosang’s paternal uncle, Behramji Pestonji Mogal who was sarpanch of Mahuva for many years and helped establish the Bhakta High School there. Till the 1950s the idea of educating girls was not very prevalent in Mahuva as the town lacked the basic facilities for such an institution. Behramji also looked after the work of the Anjuman. He took over the responsibility of the education of youngsters and was active in the social life of the town. Despite financial constraints, he helped two of his nephews complete their master’s degree in science. His death in 1986 was a great blow to the family. "We felt orphaned in the true sense of the word,” recalls Hosang. "It was our great good fortune to have been nurtured by an aunt who was akin to a second mother to us and an uncle who was farsighted and wise and like a second father to us.”
Hosang’s father Faramji’s formal education ended after Std IV but he took a keen interest in farming and looked after the family’s lands. He led a life of simplicity and thrift. Faramji and his wife Gaimai had six sons. Her entire life revolved around her children and the running of the house. She was a devoted mother and wife. Remembering her, Hosang quotes the poet Ramesh Joshi: "At first we used to cry and remember our mother,/ But now the memory of our mother brings tears to our eyes.”
Every family has its heroes and Lt Cdr Firdaus Darashah Mogal (1974-2010) fulfilled that role. He showed exceptional bravery in facing a rough sea, strong winds and inclement weather to rescue six of his fellow shipmates who were swept overboard the Indian Navy submarine INS Shashank during defect rectification operations on August 30, 2010. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on April 7, 2012. The Navy as well as civilian institutions have honored his memory. Hosang wrote a book on him, titled Bhar Bapore Suryast (Sunset at Noon), which was released by Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer on January 16, 2013 (see "Mahuva honors Mogal,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, February 21, 2013).
Included at the end of the book are the family trees of various branches of the family, which should prove helpful to future generations to trace their lineage.
ABAN MUKHERJI