Sidhpur in Northern Gujarat is named after Sidhraj Jaisingh, the famous Solanki dynasty ruler. Sidhpur was known as Vindusara or Matrugaya in ancient times. The city is home to a number Dawoodi Bohras who were known for their business acumen and integrity. In 1879, Sayaji Rao Gaekwad put the city on the railway network and this link with the rest of the country gave the Bohras an opportunity to operate from places as distant as Burma, Siam, Zanzibar, Madagascar, China and Ethiopia.
Post-Independence, a number of Bohras established their businesses all over India. The family of Abdul Hussein Vagh of Sidhpur were among the earliest to spread southward. In Coimbatore, the Vaghs were involved with the iron and steel business at A. Ahamed Ali & Co (P) Ltd in Fraser Square. Later, Taher Ali Vagh (1905-1988) and his brothers Salehbhai and Saifuddin established the Industrial Engineering Stores (IES) during the 1950s. IES was involved in the marketing of machine tools, asbestos products and had several clients all over South India. Later IES began to market products made by over 40 companies including Ralli Wolf, Hindustan Ferodo, Indian Tools, Addison, Advani Oerlikon, Leader and Sandvik. The family also established the ‘Peacock’ brand furniture business besides managing plantations in Kotagiri.
The Vagh family built the ‘Taher’ mansion at the corner of the Cherian Road near the railway line. This was the tallest building in Coimbatore over 50 years ago and had one of the oldest ‘Otis’ elevators in town. ‘Taher’ contains the offices for IES and has fine rosewood cupboards to store the goods besides housing facility for the staff who are from Sidhpur. The facility has a nice community hall and has one of the best concrete spiral staircases in Coimbatore. The large well-planned office-cum-residence continues to be a one of its kind in Coimbatore.
Abbas.T. Vagh bubbles with enthusiasm when talking about their family and the community. “Our heritage home at Sidhpur is located in Islampura. The houses at Sidhpur contain gleaming woodwork, priceless artefacts, glittering glass, frescoed ceilings, Persian carpets, ornamental marble paniharas (drinking water containers) and flowery motifs in plaster. In Coimbatore, we continued to follow the age-old customs. We begin each meal with a pinch of salt followed by a sweet. As part of an ancient Persian custom, a large thal — about three feet across — is used for the feasts. Our food consists of eggs, roti with tarkari (meat gravy), dal chawal , gustava (shredded meat), biriyani . We finish with fruit. Sweets include the superb suttar firni , pavno halvo , basuddi , faluda and gulab jamun .”
The Vagh family has been involved with the Rotary, Round Table and the Masonic movements. Coimbatore-based businessman Ellyas Lehry adds, “The Vaghs of IES were always known for the business ethics and fair practices. They would simply not undertake to sell products if they felt that it was not up to the required standards. They are socially conscious and have been doing their bit for charity from day one. The family elders set a good foundation based on integrity, compassion, innovation and enterprise. They have been acclaimed leaders from the very beginning.”
Rajesh is passionate about his city and is always looking for ways of documenting its history
