Varas Dayabhai was born in Bhankh, Kathiawar most probably in 1870 and lost his mother in infancy. His father thus married second time. Varas Dayabhai was eager for education, but could not acquire it and learnt Gujrati to some extent from his sisters.

His family surrounding don’t appear to be very amicable and at an early age, he left his home. He travelled by train without ticket for Vancaner and then returned to Ahmadnagar. He worked in the shop of a certain Veljibhai. He then started to live with his own family. He worked hard and honestly for about eight years and made a little saving till he was able to carve out his own career. Soon afterwards, he became an eminent leather merchant and commission agent. His office known as Dayabhai Velji & Co. became famous in Ahmadnagar with its branches in Bombay, Poona and Kanpur.

He married at the age of 18 years. Unfortunately, his wife and a newly born child died very soon. He married a second time at the age of 21 years in 1891 to a certain Sakarbai, who was blessed with two daughters, Fatima and Jena and a son of great merit and talent, named Musa.

His business flourished to great extent in Ahmadnagar, about 150 k.m. from Poona, situated on western India on the Sina River. Its original name was Bhinar and was conquered in 1310 by the Bahmani ruler, Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah. He founded Ahmadnagar in 1490. It is now a district of Maharashtra State, covering an area of 6586 sq.miles.

Varas Dayabhai imported machinery from Calcutta and installed a tannery in Ahmadnagar. He entered into the trade of bones and exported its powder in Europe. His wife and his brother also helped him in his business. He became one of business magnates in Ahmadnagar in 1912, where hardly 20 Ismailis resided.

He employed a large amount of people of ethnic groups, who lived like beasts in forests and rural areas. For entertaining adequate provisions of nourishment and education to their children, he housed them with his own expenses. The famous famine of 1900 was also a terrible blow on India. Most of the people left their children in destitution and let them wandered for food. Varas Dayabhai gave shelter to these children. Without using a little force of obligations, he preached them and brought most of them in Ismaili fold. He also built a new jamatkhana in Ahmadnagar on the road, known as Dayabhai Road.

In 1903, the Imam is reported to have said to Missionary Jamal Megji in Bombay that, “Have you ever been in Poona?” He said, “Not at all.” The Imam said, “There is my one momin in Ahmednagar. You go to Ahmednagar after performing here your waez. He is a true momin. You then proceed to Kudachi, where resides his brother, Kassim Velji, who is also a true momin.”

Jamal Megji sent his message in advance to Varas Dayabhai that, “I have been ordered by the Imam to see you. I am coming.” When Missionary Jamal Megji reached Ahmednagar, Varas Dayabhai arranged his waez programme in the jamatkhana, and proposed him to arrange an annual majlis in Ahmednagar and he would bear its whole expenses. Jamal Megji said, “Not in Ahmednagar, but in Poona provided you find it far better, so that the Ismailis of Bombay can also participate.” Varas Dayabhai admired his plan and contributed enough funds for the annual majlis in Poona. The Imam also told to Jamal Megji to see Kassim Velji in Kudachi, where he went with Varas Dayabhai. Kassim Velji told him that, “You have given chance to Varas Dayabhai, now you also let me share. I am ready to serve in the annual majlis wherever your organize it.” Jamal Megji said that, “You share funds for the majlis for Jam Jodhpur in Kathiawar.” Kassim Velji shared along with Varas Dayabhai. Accordingly, the first annual majlis in Poona started in 1904 under the supervision of Varas Dayabhai.

Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah attended the fourth annual majlis of Poona on January 12, 1908 and formed a majlis Committee to maintain the accounts, viz. Kamadia Haji Nazar Ali, Nainsibhai Pirbhai, Rahim Moloo, Dayabhai Velji, Hashim Kanji, Moledina Megji, Laljibhai Nanji and Alibhai Kunvarji. Later on, Varas Dayabhai was consigned the entire administration of the annual majlis of both Poona and Virpur. The Imam said on January 10, 1910 to the members of the majlis Committee that, “God will recompense you rewards for your exertions.”

The Ismaili Council for district Ghat came into existence in February, 1910. Dayabhai was appointed its President with Safar Ali Jan Muhammad Jamal Pradhan as Honorary Secretary. It covered the administration of Poona, Solapur, Bijapur, Pachapur, Ahmednagar, Kolapur, Hyderabad, Sikandarabad, Ajmer, Agra, Lahore, Kanpur, Delhi, etc.

On December 3, 1912, he went to Bombay with his wife and invited the Imam to attend the marriage of his son, Musa. Since the wedding date was inconvenient, the Imam said, “I will attend the marriage provided you postpone it for one month.” He agreed and decided to perform the marriage during the 10th annual majlis in Virpur. He made another request to propose a fateful date for it. The Imam fixed the date 28th. His wife Sukkubai said that it seemed not ideal date, because it carried an even figure. The Imam said to Varas Dayabhai, “Ask her, who has made all the dates. No date is imperfect, all are equal.” The Imam gave him a period of one month for wedding preparations. Unfortunately, the wife of Varas Dayabhai expired in the first week of January 1913 before the marriage.

Varas Dayabhai also worked hard in the annual majlis and fair in Virpur. For attending the 10th annual majlis in Virpur, the Imam left Bombay by a special train for Gujrat and Kathiawar in January 1913. The train reached Surat on January 12, 1913 and on the same day at Sidhpur. The Imam left Sidhpur on January 15, 1913 for Limadi, and then arrived at Virpur on January 22, 1913. Thakkur Surshin, his son Hamirshin, the Dewan and the Ismaili leaders accorded him a rousing welcome at the station of Virpur, including Varas Dayabhai. The Imam attended the majlis and graced didar on 22nd, 24th, 28th, 29th and 30th January 1913.

By orders of the Imam, a large number of Ismailis from Bombay, Kutchh and Karachi flocked together in Virpur. On January 28, 1913, the food for the wedding reception was cooked for about 10 to 12 thousand people, but the estimation was beyond the expected figure. It reached to 30 to 35 thousand people. It was a problem and a matter of prestige for Varas Dayabhai to feed the outnumbered guests with insufficient foods. He however managed other items of the meal, but failed to arrange the sweetballs (ladoo) for the guests. Worries crowded in his mind as there were few minutes in lunchtime. He at once approached the Imam in the majlis hall and implored, “Mawla, I have tried as much as I could. The time is very short and the sweetballs are less than the guests." The Imam said, “Well, show me your kitchen.” Varas brought the Imam in the room where insufficient sweetballs were placed in plates. The Imam took a piece of sweetball, broke it into pieces and powdered it. The Imam recited something on it, then spread the powder on all the sweetballs and said, “You cover the plates with a white cloth and serve the jamat without picking up the cover.” The Imam also uttered the words, “More blesssings, more blessings, blessing, blessing.”

The jamat was entertained with lunch, yet there was plenty of food. The sweetballs were served for three days, but it remained inexhaustible. Varas Dayabhai requested the Imam that the sweetballs were plenty and the jamats were leaving the majlis, and wished to entertain another meal to the jamat once again. The Imam disallowed it and said, “Not at all. The time is over. It was only for the wedding reception of your son. You give its parcels to everyone who are leaving and to those who need for marriages in this majlis.” Accordingly, each person was given four extra sweetballs at the conclusion of the majlis.

During his last didar on Thursday, January 30, 1913, the Imam made a farman that, “Dayabhai Velji has worked too much in this fair and the jamat, moiling and toiling all the times in such noble cause and works too much in Poona. I, therefore, appoint him as a Wazir for Poona. I have come here in Virpur to attend the marriage of Musa, the son of Dayabhai. I had not desired to visit Virpur and its fair in this year had the marriage not been performed. And if I may have come next time, the fair would have been organized in other place or in Rajkot. My programme (for Virpur however) destined due to the occasion of this marriage, and as a result, some other good works have also been solemnized.”

The fair of majlis in Virpur was administered exceedingly well by Kassim Velji, the brother of Varas Dayabhai. The Imam also visited the majlis hall on January 31, 1913 and admired the administration of lodging and fooding of the guest Ismailis.

Before departure, the Imam told him to build a Boarding in Virpur for the new Ismaili children. Varas Dayabhai spent massive amount and erected a Boarding with seven boys during its inauguration. It was certainly the first Shia Imami Ismaili Boarding in India, which was opened on August 1, 1913. Varas Dayabhai was its President with Nur Muhammad Panchan as an Honorary Secretary.

He had a severe shock when his second wife expired in 1913. He married for the third time in 1915 to look after his children. His third wife, Khatijabai, who had four daughters, Gulbanu, Sherbanu, Shakar, Daulat and a son, Aziz. Unfortunately, she remained constantly ill. The Imam told him to marry once again. His fourth marriage was performed with Santokhbai of Kotada. His two wives, the sick and the fourth one however lived together. His fourth wife mostly looked after the children.

He then centered his all attentions in Ahmadnagar. He brought a multitude of people in depressed class and fostered them with his own expenses. He protected many orphans in their destitution, and raised them from poverty to a steady income. The local people opposed his mission and filed a suit against him. He won the case and resumed his noble mission undaunted. He converted the ethnic people and gave them shelter, food and education. He employed them and arranged their marriages with houses to live freely in the Ismaili circles. With the guidance of the Imam, he constructed a philanthropic educational institution in Ahmadnagar in the name of the Imam, known as the Sultania Orphanage in 1918.

He was noted for giving his incredible services in the annual majlis in Poona for several years. He spent large amount for the participants in the majlis. In 1920, the newly formed H.H. The Aga Khan’s Bombay Volunteer Corps arranged three special trains from Bombay to Poona.

Varas Dayabhai was most obedient servant of the Imam. During the majlis in Poona in 1920, he approached the Volunteer Corps on the first day of the majlis with a request to take over the charge of the food distribution. The officers told him that the volunteers were assigned to keep order and were unable to serve food in uniforms. Varas Dayabhai ruffled for solutions. When the Imam graced the majlis hall, Varas Dayabhai humbly reported it to the Imam in presence of Lt. Col. Itmadi Pir Mohammad V. Madhani (1896-1959). The Imam smiled and said, “Indeed, it is right. The volunteers are our soldiers and are in charge of the safety of the jamat. It is not part of their duty to serve foods.” Varas Dayabhai bowed his head in reverence. To show the volunteers that he was not displeased with them, he very broad-heartedly looked after them and provided meals in their camps. He also visited it twice a day to watch their comforts, and conquered their hearts.

It appears that most of the Ismailis of Bombay flocked in multitude in Poona to attend the majlis after a tedious journey. Their insufficient lodging in Poona was also a major problem. Thus, the Imam abolished the tradition of majlis in Poona through an official announcement on Monday, March 20, 1920 that, “There are much hardship and difficulty to the jamats in the majlis of Poona. The people face hardship and me too. Today is the last majlis in Poona, and there will be no more majlis in Poona. But when I will visit Poona, there will be (the majlis) for the jamats of Poona and district Poona, including Ahmadnagar, Kurchi, Banglore, Varagal, etc. and organize the majlis for them and accept their offerings and mehmanis. This majlis hall is now changed into the school hall. You people have come from a long distance after a tedious journey of train and expenses. You also got here no adequate facility of your lodgings and faced much troubles. I accept your dastboshi, not once but for ten times. The Indore jamat is free from district Poona. Make your own Council with four members in it. You set out for Bombay soon after taking the (last) dinner on today.”

Unfortunately, a false rumour spread in the arena of narrow-minded people in Bombay that the majlis in Poona was wound up due to embezzling of its funds. When it was brought to the kind notice of the Imam, he became highly displeased. On Wednesday, May 13, 1920, the Imam graced a didar at his bungalow at Mazgon, Bombay, where Varas Dayabhai Velji, Wazir Rahim Basaria, Mukhi Murad Ali Ghulam Hussain Naginwala of Paris, Alijah Alibhai Muhammad of Burma and Missionary Hussaini Pir Muhammad, etc. were summoned. The Imam said to the jamat that, “You listen with care and write down and follow it outside the farman I am making just now. Certain foolish people talk that Wazir Dayabhai Velji has misappropriated the funds. This is absolutely false. The people talking alike are liars and speak untrue. The people are talking that Wazir Dayabhai Velji has embezzled the funds of the majlis (of Poona), which is absolutely false, having no grain of truth. Wazir Daya is a very nice person and performs excellent works all the times. He has served me too much and serves constantly. He has toiled much to start a Boarding in Virpur, which runs excellently. The account of Virpur Boarding is also entirely transparent and fair. He also renders some other services of my house; therefore, I give my best blessings to Wazir Daya.

I have abolished the majlis in Poona due to the hardship of the jamats, and there is no fault of Wazir in it. There was a shortage of space in the majlis in Poona, and the people of Bombay and Kathiawar were facing intense trouble, resulting in its closure. Besides, there were other problems too, because most of the people belonged to Bombay, who spent unnecessary for railway fares and as such it has been abolished. I perform the ceremonies for Bombay jamat in Bombay and give didar for eight to ten days and perform dastboshi and other works, nevertheless, the people of Bombay flocked (in Poona) and spent unnecessary money to the railway, which is not advisable. That is why it has been abolished. Inshallah, when there will be the growth of the people in Poona division, I will start the majlis for the Poona division.”

Varas Dayabhai Velji never disheartened with the charges of being peculated the funds, and continued his noble mission. He however obtained immense relief in the official clarification of the Imam.

On March 27, 1922, the Imam formed a committee of Recreation Club for Deccan and appointed him as its President with Ghulam Hussain Kassim Daud Suleman of Poona as an Hon. Secretary alongwith other seven members. The Imam also said to him, “You can discharge three works. Help and send the Khojas of Kathiawar in Deccan, who have no significant business. Bring up the children of depressed class in the houses of Deccan state. People having a divine grace of Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 6000/- (as income) in Kathiawar, they should visit Deccan occasionally and adopt one or two children and keep them as their servants and upbring them. This is an excellent work. It is easy to find the orphans in Deccan.” The Imam also told after a short while, “Your Ahmednagar is convenient and ideal more than whole Kathiawar. It is not suggestible to leave the land beneath your legs. Your land is there (in Ahmednagar).”

When the Imam visited Ahmadnagar on March 7, 1923, he said to him in the mehmani that, “Do you know my benedictions upon you and your family? The actions (amal) must be good which is superior to other. It is better than the worship of a thousand years to execute the benevolent works and redeem the others. This work is far better than to worship a thousand years.” Then, the Imam addressed the jamat that, “Conduct the business, earn money and perform the benevolent works like Wazir Daya, is doing in the Boarding of Virpur. It is better to redeem others than to worship a hundred years.”

The Imam launched his trip for Ahmadnagar on January 30, 1924 and gave didar to the jamats. On that occasion, the Imam said to Varas Dayabhai that, “Your family will prosper in this world and the world hereafter. Live like a Shahid in both worlds. Our religion is a blissful (path). The Shahids cut down their heads and whatever you are doing; it is an act of the martyrdom. The overwhelm happiness and cool temperament with bliss spring out in these noble works. These are above the crore of rupees while looking these children. I am pleased to see these orphans. Get good works from these children. Teach them skills of trade. Keep your both eyes equal upon your own and these children. You also take care of these children (same) as the efforts are being made in the nourishment, upkeep and teaching the business skills to your own children.”

He, thus accommodated the new Ismaili boys in the Sultania Orphanage and the girls were kept in his own residence and he loved them as if his own sons and daughters without any distinction.

The Imam attended the mehmani of Virpur Boarding on February 11, 1923 and told to the boarders, “Are you happy? Do you eat good meal? I give my blessings to you all the children of Virpur Boarding.” The Imam also visited the Virpur Boarding on the following day. On February 26, 1924, the Imam formed a new committee for Virpur Boarding with Varas Dayabhai its President and Huzur Mukhi Nur Muhammad Panchan as its Honorary Secretary. The committee was also comprised of five members, viz. Rahmatullah Alibhai, Kamadia Kassim Ali Hasan Ali, Kamadia Jessabhai Saju, Safar Ali Karim Macklai and Habib Ladha Pirani.

The constant outbreak of famine in Kathiawar harmed of the economy of the people. Thus, the Imam said in Rajkot on February 14, 1923 that, “The frequent famine hovering over the region of Kathiawar interrupted the business. The jamat (of Kathiawar) is also large. They must quit their abode for other places, such as Deccan, Burma, Barad, Varangal and around Poona, and open there shops by one or two persons (in the family).”

Accordingly, Varas Dayabhai examined the business opportunity in Deccan. He wrote a letter to the editor of the weekly “Ismaili” on February 19, 1924 which was published on February 24, 1924 that, “Our Ismailis of Kathiawar, desiring to deal business in Deccan may bring two to three hundred rupees individually with character certificates. We will start their business. The poor Ismailis who cannot afford it, they may also come with the guarantee of the respectable persons.”

A.J. Chunara, the editor of the “Ismaili” applauded the sincere offer of Varas Dayabhai in the next issue on March 2, 1924. He also made an appeal to the interested Ismailis to respond to the call of Varas Dayabhai and seek the golden chance. With the help of Alijah Alibhai Kunvarji, Varas Dayabhai flourished many Ismailis in Ahmadnagar with small business. The Colonized Department of the Council for Kathiawar also held a meeting on March 8, 1924, presided by Nur Mohammad Babul. The house appreciated the efforts and campaign of Varas Dayabhai and issued letter of congratulation. Later on, the Colonized Department took over the charge to flourish the Ismailis in Deccan under the Council.

Soon afterwards, the Imam also visited Ahmadnagar on March 7, 1923 and said, “You inform to one another that I have made a farman in Kathiawar that how many persons can start their business here? You inform the Supreme Council about the prospect and communicate the news of this place and announce in the jamatkhana. It is also (an act of) worship. There are few villages in the south and you inform as far as Ceylon. When two persons are well settled in business, then call other persons.”

Missionary Hamir Lakha came in Sind at the end of 1923. He selected five young Ismaili boys according to the guidance of the Imam and took them to Ahmadnagar on January 30, 1924, where he arranged their marriages with the orphan girls when the Imam was also in Ahmadnagar.

Varas Dayabhai also made a humble request to the Imam to provide at least three missionaries to exhort religious education to the new Ismailis. The Imam arranged the missionaries, notably Hamir Lakha. These missionaries stayed at the house of Varas Dayabhai. They exhorted to the new Ismailis the philosophy of Ismailism. These missionaries were also enjoined to give the Islamic names to the new Ismailis. Some students also got the training of the mission, notably Musa Jaffer, who belonged to the Kachhia caste and became a famous missionary.

An Ismaili tourist made a surprise visit of Sultania Orphanage in Ahmadnagar. He published his observations in the weekly “Ismaili” (Bombay, February 6, 1927, p. 10). In his article, he wrote that, “I have an opportunity to see Varas Dayabhai Velji on January 27, 1927 at 9.00 a.m. and at 10.00 a.m., a tea-party was accorded in the Orphanage by the Varas Saheb to Nawab Sayed Aminuddin, the Collector of Ahmadnagar. There are about 70 new Muslim orphans in the Orphanage. Each child presented different dialogues in a sequence in Hindi and Gujrati, in which the “Parmarth” was an excellent presentation. Four teachers are employed, one new Muslim, two Khojas and one Muslim. While inspecting the account of expenditure and income of the Orphanage, it implies that Varas Saheb has to make financial sacrifices every month. The residence of the children is comfortable, excellent and clean. The cleanliness of the children is also commendable. The education is also on a standard level. I was extremely pleased to watch the religious zeal of the children while going to the jamatkhana at evening. I must say that Varas Saheb and his family shower affectionate feelings upon the visitors. They look at the orphans lovingly more than their own children. Musabhai, the elder son of Varas Saheb has great leaning towards the education and takes front part in the education of the Orphanage. I felt happiness to see Varas Saheb acting on this principle. The people must know that the foundation of today’s Virpur Boarding is due to him.”

Varas Dayabhai also took a visit of Sialkot with Alijah Hasan Ali Devraj to attend the annual majlis on May 6, 7, 8, 1928

Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah visited his house whenever he was on the tour of Ahmadnagar. The mehmanis were presented to the Imam in each room, decorated with varieties of the items. Once in such mehmani, Varas Dayabhai suddenly heard his granddaughter crying loudly and became worried. He sent her out of the room. Meanwhile, the Imam asked him, “How many daughters do you have?” He said, “I have six daughters and two granddaughters.” The Imam said, “Let them cry. They will be healthy if they cry.”

Varas Dayabhai Velji was also appointed the President of the Recreation Club Institute for Deccan branch in 1930, and continued to serve it till his death.

He submitted his mehmani directly by telegram to the Imam in Europe since 1930. The first telegram he sent in the beginning of June, 1930. The Imam sent him following telegraphic message:-

Marseilles, France : June 26, 1930

Time: 12 a.m.

Varas Daya Velji,

Khoja Merchant,

Ahmadnagar.

Best paternal blessings from self, son on happy occasion entertainment.

Prince Aly Khan paid a flying visit to India on November 2, 1930. He visited different parts of India and returned to Bombay on December 24, 1930 from Dharampore by Kathiawar Express. The Ismaili leaders gave him a warm welcome at the station. Varas Dayabhai cordially invited Prince Aly Khan to visit Ahmadnagar for shooting. Prince Aly Khan came in Ahmadnagar on December 30, 1930. He with a well-known local hunter, S. Ismail and Musabhai Varas Dayabhai and party shot a few deers in the Dothra forest in the vicinity of Ahmadnagar on December 30, 1930. He also visited the Sultania Orphanage and had a group photograph with the orphans. He distributed prizes to the children and attended five marriages of the orphans on January 1, 1931 in the compound of the Orphanage. About 150 special guests were invited by Varas Dayabhai from Bombay, Poona and Thana. The string band greeted the guest of honour with music. Sayed Mushtaq Ali Didar Ali recited the nikah. Huzur Wazir Ali Mohammad Macklai read the welcome address on behalf of Varas Dayabhai, who presented a brief report of the Orphanage from 1918 to 1930. He said that 60 boys and 2 girls were in the Orphanage, who were being taught Gujrati, Urdu, Sindhi and Arabic. He also said that 17 orphans bethroded in the Orphanage.

Prince Aly Khan said in his speech that he was highly pleased to learn that the Orphanage was being run with the expenses of Varas Dayabhai and would report it to the Imam that how he and his family members took care of the orphans. Then, Varas Dayabhai, his wife and a daughter humbly presented a diamond pin to Prince Aly Khan, who left Ahmadnagar on January 2, 1931.

Lady Ali Shah sent her congratulation message to Varas Dayabhai on the occasion from Bombay and admired his valuable services.

Meanwhile, the All India & Burma Ismaili Deputation, comprised of the leaders from Bombay, Karachi, Burma, Poona, Ahmadnagar etc. visited Yervada Palace in Poona on Saturday, January 3, 1931 and submitted a humble request to Prince Aly Khan to prolong his stay in India. Ghulam Ali Ghulam Hussain Merchant read the address before Prince Aly Khan on behalf of the deputation. Prince Aly Khan was pleased and blessed them, but showed his inability to prolong his stay. He however promised to visit Bombay jamatkhana on January 6, 1931. On that occasion, Prince Aly Khan very graciously called for Varas Dayabhai near his chair and blessed him on behalf of the Imam and appreciated his meritorious services. He also gave him five fountain pens to be presented to the five newly married couples of the Sultania Orphanage. He also gave him a precious pachhedi for his daughter, who took care of the orphans. In sum, Prince Aly Khan left for Europe on January 26, 1931, and reported all about the Indian jamats. The Imam sent following message to all the jamat that, “My best affectionate thoughts and paternal blessings entertainment occasion my son’s visit.”

He was anxious to mingle the new converts in the stream community of the Ismailis, and tried to send them in different cities. He employed few educated new Ismaili boys in the Ismaili firm at Bombay. In 1930, he sent two such boys in Rangoon, Burma, namely Dost Muhammad and Hasan Ali. Wazir Mukhi Jivabhai Bhanji (1866-1938) employed them in his firm in Rangoon. Varas Dayabhai also sent two other Ismailis in East Africa. In 1931, he performed marriages of 17 orphan couples, some of them were sent to Hyderabad, Sind and East Africa.

In 1923, there were 71 boarders in Virpur Boarding, out of which 44 students were learning Gujrati in Virpur and 27 students were getting education of English in its branch in Rajkot. Virpur was a small village without a college for higher education; therefore, he concentrated his attention in its branch in Rajkot and gave away the charge of Virpur Boarding to others. He was once again called back and appointed as President of the Virpur Boarding as resolved by the Managing Committee on September 29, 1924. Between 1923 and 1930, the Rajkot branch came up on a progressive track. The Imam ordered him to make it a separate Boarding. It was raised on the same site in 1931 with the expenses of Rs. 45,000/- He already humbly invited the Imam for its opening ceremony, but the Imam informed him that his son would open it. Varas Dayabhai also invited Lady Ali Shah, who accepted his invitation provided the girls he had adopted were also invited. Varas Dayabhai happily accepted. Prince Aly Khan, Lady Ali Shah and others travelled by train from Bombay in a saloon and he travelled in the third class with his family and bore all the expenses. The opening ceremony was performed in a cheerful environment on January 7, 1931.

It implies that he administered as the Supervisor of the Sultania Orphanage in Ahmadnagar and the Shia Imami Boarding in Rajkot with close attachment in Virpur Boarding. In addition, he was also the President of the All India majlis Committee till his death.

The Imam arrived at Bombay by Rajputana mail steamer of P. & O. Co. on December 14, 1933. About ten thousand Ismailis thronged at sea-port and gave a rousing welcome to the Imam, including Varas Dayabhai. On that occasion, the marriages of his elder daughters, Gulbanu with Kassim Ali Ismail Varas Shivji of Agra and Sherbanu with Sadruddin Faizullah Nanji Varind of Burma was performed in presence of the Imam at the bungalow of Valkesar in Bombay on February 18, 1934. Sayed Mushtaq Ali Didar Ali recited the nikah with the Imam, who acted as the vakil of the brides. Varas Dayabhai presented a diamond ring to the wife of the Imam. Looking this, the Imam said smilingly that he was deprived of the present. Varas Dayabhai immediately arranged another diamond ring and presented to the Imam and earned best loving blessings.

At Yervada Palace in Poona, the Imam attended the mehmani of the Kathiawar Council on December 23, 1933. The Imam restored the previous appointments of the Council and merged four villages with Ahmadnagar under Varas Dayabhai Velji. Its official announcement was made on February 19, 1934.

Meanwhile, Mr. W.W. Smart, the Commissioner of Central Division, made a flying visit of the Sultania Orphanage on October 27, 1934 and wrote on the Visitors-Book that, “I visited the Orphanage and school maintained for Khoja boys and girls by Messrs Dayabhai Veljee. The teaching is directed to preparing the boys for a commercial or industrial career, which is a very wise course. There are 2 masters for 35 boys; the girls go to a Marathi School in the town.”

During his visit to India, the Imam attended the grand reception hosted by the Municipality in Ahmed,nagar on February 2, 1935. It was followed by a lunch from Mr. M.D. Bhaushali. On that occasion, Varas Dayabhai was also invited. The Imam also visited the residence of Varas Dayabhai, where he stayed for one and half hours. The residence was vividly decorated and the Imam visited each room, where individual mehmani was displayed. The Imam entered the room of Musabhai at first and accepted his mehmani, then visited the room of Varas Dayabhai, and then in the room of Varasiani. The Imam also made a visit of the Sultania Orphanage at evening at 5.30 pm, where he stayed for half an hour with the students and returned to Poona on the same night.

In appreciation of his outstanding services, Varas Dayabhai was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal in 1936 with Chevron Bar

Once he travelled with the Imam in a car in Bombay. On one occasion while getting out of the car and the driver closed the door, his finger was wounded. The Imam dressed it, and told in private to Chief Wazir Kassim Ali Hasan Ali Javeri (1877-1968) that, “His fatal hour approached.”

Six months after the above incident, the health of Varas Dayabhai shattered. He felt that the shadows of death were closing upon him. He told to his family to route an urgent telegram to the Imam at 12.00 a.m. in Europe. The reply of the Imam reached at 4.00 a.m. with best loving blessings and he expired on the same moment.

After the long and devoted services, Varas Dayabhai Velji breathed his last in 1937 at the age of 67 years. The Imam arrived in India in the end of 1937 and visited Poona and Ahmadnagar. The Imam graced didar on January 10, 1938 and said, “The momin Ismaili children which I am looking here, each of them is equal to a crore of rupees or the bungalow and I consider it to have paid me much price.”

The Imam also visited his house and blessed the family members. The Imam also visited the Sultania Orphanage and then visited the grave of Varas Dayabhai, who was buried in the compound of the Orphanage. The Imam walked upto the grave and stood few minutes in front of it with utmost serenity and said, “Wazir Daya was a true believer. He executed the religious (mission) of Prophet Muhammad and converted a multitude of people as Muslims. Keep blossoming the rose flower on his grave. The rose was a favourite flower of Prophet Muhammad.” The Imam also appointed his son, Musabhai as the President of the Orphanage and the Boarding.

It is worthwhile to quote Ruzbihan Baqli as writing in his “Abhar al-Ashiqin” (ed. By Henri Corbin, Paris, 1958, p. 77) that, “When the Prophet saw a rose, he kissed it and pressed it to his eyes and said that the red rose was part of God’s glory.” A. Schimmel writes in her “Mystical Dimensions of Islam” (New York, 1955, p. 222) that, “The Prophet’s love for roses may have induced the poets to call him “the nightingale of the Eternal Garden” for he discloses to the faithful some of the mysteries of God, the Everlasting Rose.”

The one and the only way in which we have to record his greatness, he all along was a true, faithful, dedicated and most obedient in the services of the Imam. He made in his whole life an article of faith to toil in the moral and physical welfare of the orphans. He instituted and sustained the conviction in the minds of the children that the Imam was their true and abiding parent and, as such, no Ismaili on earth was ever an orphan. He loved the orphans without any discrimination. Among the orphans he loved a black girl immensely, whom he took in the mehmani in Bombay before the Imam in 1933. He procured close relations with the Muslims in Ahmadnagar. When any Muslim died, he or his son attended the funeral ceremony in the mosque, lying just opposite his residence.

Paying his tribute to Varas Dayabhai, Itmadi Pir Mohammad Madhani writes in “Ismaili Volunteers, Scouts & Guides Souvenir” (Bombay, 1954) that, “The memory of incomparable services and the faithfulness of duty are implanted in the hearts of every Ismaili for Wazir Dayabhai Velji. He was a staunch devotee, obedient, brave hero and a great servant of the house of Imam. His services towards Ismailism were extremely wide and the Imam had immense love for him.”

Varas Dayabhai Velji left behind two sons, Musa and Aziz and four daughters, Gulbanu, Shakarbanu, Sherbanu and Daulat.

The tradition of the services remained unbroken in the family of Varas Dayabhai Velji. Soon after his death, his son Wazir Musa, who was born in 1895, became the President of the Rajkot Boarding, the All India majlis Committee and the Sultania Orphanage, which was closed during the Hindu-Muslim riots in 1947, and the children were shifted to the Rajkot Boarding. He transformed the Rajkot Boarding into a modern institution of the orphans with his untiring efforts. It must be recollected that the Imam attended his marriage in Virpur in 1913.

The forest of Ahmadnagar was an ideal hunting ground of deer. Prince Aly Khan occasionally visited Ahmadnagar during his hunting expedition and stayed at the residence of Varas Dayabhai. His son Wazir Musa also accompanied him and drove the bullock cart loaded with deer from Ahmadnagar to Yeravada Palace in Poona. Prince Aly Khan, Captain Majid Khan and few boys of Sultania Orphanage also travelled in the cart.

He laid the foundation stone of the newly built jamatkhana in Surat on October 20, 1938 in presence of a concourse of the Ismailis and leaders.

Wazir Musa is reputed to have contributed Rs. 50,001/- during the Diamond Jubilee in 1946 and became the third among the best donors. He had a privilege to hold the umbrella of the Imam on the stage during the jubilee. He also passed on the boxes of diamonds to Itmadi Kassim Ali Manji Nathu, who was passing on to Kamadia Ibrahim Rajan Mehr Ali, who was putting the diamonds ultimately on the weighing scale.

During the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, the Imam deputed Prince Aly Khan in India on January 23, 1955. Wazir Musa had an honour to be presented the jubilee plate from Prince Aly Khan in Poona. The services of Wazir Musa in Ahmadnagar were so outstanding that once Prince Aly Khan remarked, “Ahmadnagar is a jamat because of Musabhai.”

He also served as the President of All India majlis Committee for 25 years till his death. He became the President of the Council for Ahmadnagar, and the Trustee of Diamond Jubilee Trust, etc. He was the Director of National Land & Building Committee and the President of Ahamadnagar Municipal Corporation. The British India bestowed upon him the title of Khan Bahadhur. He rendered his services as an Honorary Magistrate for four years.

Wazir Musa died on May 14, 1962 at the age of 67 years. His wife Varasiani Jenabai (d. 1991) took over the charge of the Boarding in Rajkot as its President, while his brother, Itmadi Abdul Aziz became the President of All India majlis Committee. Varasiani built a prayer-hall in the Boarding. Daulatbai, the youngest daughter of Varas Dayabhai also joined the Boarding as a member in 1962 and served with Varasiani for about 27 years. When Mawlana Hazar Imam visited India, Varasiani Jenabai presented her mehmani. The Imam plucked a rose flower from his own garland and put in the hand of Varasiani Jenabai with best loving blessings. It suggests that the rose flower has become a traditional symbol of the meritorious services in the family of Varas Dayabhai Velji, which will leave a major imprint on the history for generations to come. The Imam also made a tour of India for 26 days from January 3, 1978. Begum Salimah made a flying visit of the Rajkot Hostel on January 8, 1978 and was bewildered to see how a lady president handled the whole administration of a hostel.