There is no authentic record of the first known migration of Cutchi Memons to Madras. It is, however , known that a Cutchi memon, Mr. Abdul Rahim patel was deputed from Karachi as the "Patel of Madras" sometime before 1870. He is known to have conducted business in Madras after his arrival. Records show that his son, Mr. Zakaria Abdul Rahim sait, "Mateen", Who was a prolific writer was born in Madras in 1884 . Early records also show that, in 1880 , the corporation of Madras allotted land for Cutchi Memons to use as their cemetery.
During the period many Cutchi Memon families settled in Madras and for reasons of convenience resided in Anderson street and Chinnathambi street of George Town area. By the turn of the 20th century, it is on record that the First president of The Cutchi Memon janab Hajee Ebrahim Sait followed by janab Hajee Jonus Abba Sait.
Hajee Essa Abba Sait was a businessman and a philanthropist. During 1917 he gifted a property in chinnathambi street to be used as a Jamath Khana and also gifted a few other properties to meet the social needs of the poorer of our members. He created a Trust in 1919 to impart religious teachings and to donate books to all deserving Cutchi Memon children. He also established a Musafir Khana for all muslim visitors and took an active interest in the construction of a Masjid in Andersoon street: this Masjid is now known as Memon Masjid.
A few illustrious Cutchi Memons of Yesteryears are as follows : Adam Hajee Mohammed sait who came to Madras in 1902 and was the first Cutch Memon to be conferred the title of Khan Bahadur by the British. Already a president of the south India Chamber of Commerce, he became the sheriff of Madras. He also held the position of director , Reserve Bank of India Madras. He also held the position of Director, Reserve Bank of India Madras Province.
Two Other Cutchi Memons of Madras were honoured with the title of Khan Bahadur by the British: Mr. Moosa Hajee Ebrahim sait and Mr. Hajee Yousuff Hajee joonus sait.
Mr .Joonus Abba Sait (Brother in law of Hajee Essa Abba Sait) from Bellary in 1904 taking to the textiles business. Another family name in the same line of business was that of Hajee Aboobacker & sons.
Mr.Hameed Hassan migrated to Madras in 1920 or so and practiced Law in the Madras High Court. He was responsible for framing the Rules and Regulations of Hajee Essa Abba sait Trust. His eldest son Mr. Mohamood Hassan was instrumental in calling Mr.Marmaduke pickthall an Englishman and a revert to Islam is well Known for his academic work in particular to his translation of The Holy Quran.
Mr. Yacoob Hassan sait was another noteworthy Cutchi Memon in the Political arena and was a member of the Madras Legislative Council in 1916. He was later a member of the Rajaji Cabinet in 1941.
The list is long and endless but for the purposes of a peep into history it world be well within bounds to conclude that today there are about 350 or more members pursuing various interests and Alhamdu Lillah living and thriving as a Jamath.
Acknowledgements : (a) Excerpts taken from the Mumbai Memon Ditectory 1975.
(b) Abridged version of Mr.Moosa sattar sait. M.A., as appeared in the 1993 souvenir of The All India Cutchi Memon Federation's World Conference.