The Remtulla Virani Family of Lindi
The Remtulla Virani Family of Lindi
The journey of the three Virani brothers begins in Kera and stretches all the way to East Africa. After moving from town to town in Tanzania, they finally found a permanent home in Lindi. These are the stories of the lives they built there.
Mohamed Remtulla Virani (1890–1947), the eldest of the brothers, was born in Kera, Kutch, India, before embarking on a significant migration to East Africa with his brothers. Arriving first in Tanga, they traveled on foot and by mule to Kigoma, eventually making their way to the southern regions of Tanzania. After spending time in villages such as Mtama and Kitangari, Mohamed ultimately chose to settle in Lindi.
An enterprising businessman, Mohamed partnered with his brother Fazal to run a transport company operating a fleet of lorries, alongside managing several shops across different towns. He also served as a commission broker for the prominent Karimjee family, from whom he purchased his primary residence in Lindi. By the time of his passing in Lindi in 1947, he had built a successful real estate portfolio, owning three to four rental properties across Songea, Kitangari and Mtama.
Mohamedbhai had ten children across two marriages. With his wife Sherbanu, daughter of Bandali Virji, he had two sons and six daughters: Anverali Virani (Dubai), Laylaben Yusuf Hasham (Orlando), Ashraf Habib Virani (Dar es Salaam) and the Marhumeen Zainab Virani, Nargis Hassanali Rashid Versi, Fidahussein Virani, Zehra Pyarali Bhimji and Kulsum Habib Hasham. Additionally, he had two children with his wife Fatma, both of whom are deceased: Khatun Ahmed Abdulla Murji and Rukiya Mohamedali Fazal Bhimji.
Fazal Remtulla Virani (1892–1971) began a life of extensive travel and entrepreneurship in 1908 when, at the age of 16, he left Kera, Kutch, India, and arrived in Tanga, Tanzania. After a brief three-day stay, he relocated to Pangani, working first for Mohamed Karim for six months and then for Mohamed Tharoo for three years. In 1912, seeking new opportunities, he embarked on a grueling twenty-day, 300-mile journey on foot with four laborers to Singida, where he spent a year working for Jaffer Khimji.
Deciding to venture out on his own, Fazalbhai began buying cattle in Singida and driving them on foot over twenty-five days to sell in Korogwe. This successful enterprise lasted for three years until an unfortunate incident in 1916 disrupted his livelihood. While passing through Kondoa-Irangi, which had recently fallen under British rule, he sought a newly required cattle permit but was told to return in a week. Two days later, he was unjustly apprehended and sent to a Nairobi prison, resulting in the confiscation of his 500 cattle to feed the military. He was finally exonerated and released at the end of the war in 1918.
Following his release, Fazalbhai took a train to Korogwe and walked fifty miles to Handeni. There, he stayed with his cousin, Gulamhussein Jeraj, for three months to recover from his imprisonment. He then walked eighty miles to Pangani, staying for six months before cycling to Dodoma. In Dodoma, he worked for his brother Mohamed Remtulla Virani for a year before joining him in Kigoma for another twelve months. After a brief six-month stint in Uvira, Congo, he returned to Kigoma in 1921.
In 1922, his journey continued to Lindi, and the following year, he cycled forty miles to Mtama to establish a shop. He remained in Mtama until 1939, hosting Majalis in his mud home for the area's five Khoja families. His subsequent moves took him to Kitangari for four months in 1941; Luatala for two years, where he opened another shop; Mingoyo for seven years, starting in 1943; and finally to Chiungutwa in 1950, his final residence before passing away.
Fazalbhai passed away on April 4, 1971 (7th Safar 1391) at Ndanda Hospital and is buried in Lindi. His wife was Sakina, the daughter of Kara Mawani; she passed away in Dar es Salaam in 1986. They had four sons - Ramzan, Mohamed (Babu), Mohamedtaki and Asgher (all deceased) and four daughters: Nasim Shabbir Ebrahim, Khairun Haiderali Chandoo, Marhuma Shirinbanu Gulamabbas Bhimani and Marhuma Fizza Yusuf Jeraj.
Pyarali Remtulla Virani (1900–1952) was born in Kera, Kutch, India, as the third son of Remtulla Virani. After his initial business ventures in Songea and Tunduru, he found a long-term role with the highly successful firm of Fazal Ladha Dinani. There, he teamed up with his co-worker Alhaj
Fidahussein Haji Mohamed Khaki, who served as the manager, while Pyarali acted as the group accountant across all the company's ventures.
He dedicated 22 years of service to Fazal Ladha Dinani. When his employer, Fazalbhai, sold the Haidery Oil Mills in Mingoyo to Alhaj Rashid Allarakhia of Zanzibar in the 1950s, Pyarali transitioned with the sale and continued working at the mills until his final days. His former employer always remembered him as an exceptionally honest, pious and humble employee. Outside of his professional life, Pyarali was also an avid pocket-watch repairer.
Pyaralibhai married Sughra, daughter of Bandali Bhanji Kerawala, and together they had four sons and five daughters: Habib Virani (Dar es Salaam), Hussein Virani (New Jersey, USA), Razia Virani (Birmingham) alongside the marhumeen Rubab, Amina, Raza Virani, Hassan Virani, Fatma Sherali Jeraj and Masuma Pyarali Shivji. Pyaralibhai Virani passed away in August 1952 in Mingoyo, located 15 miles from Lindi, where he was laid to rest.
May Allah (SWT) reward Marhum Mohamed, Fazal and Pyarali Remtulla Virani for the lives they built through perseverance, enterprise and service and for the legacy they left behind for generations to come. May He grant them an elevated station in the proximity of the Ahlulbayt (AS) and envelop them in His infinite mercy and grace, Ameen.
We request all mu'minin to remember the three Virani brothers and all Marhumeen with Surah-e-Fatiha.
Article by: Mustafa Pirmohamed. Published in part by the Africa Federation Archives in 2016
Source: Trade Directory, Family
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25th September 2026 / 13th Rabiul Aakhar 1448 AH
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