Al Hamd Smart Living, a descendant of the Girmatiyas in Fiji, congratulates the Fiji Indian Embassy on the momentous occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day.

We extend our warm wishes for the continued success of India as it continues to reach greater heights.

We recognize the significant contributions made by the Indian community in Fiji towards cultural diversity, social harmony, and economic growth.

The descendants of Girmatiyas have played a vital role in fostering strong ties between Fiji and India.

Al Hamd Smart Living commends the Fiji Indian Embassy for its unwavering dedication in strengthening the bond between the two nations.

Through promoting cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties, the embassy has played a crucial role in enhancing the relationship between Fiji and India.

On this auspicious occasion, we offer our prayers and best wishes for India’s progress and prosperity.

May the nation continue to embrace diversity, inclusivity, and innovation, and may the friendship between Fiji and India deepen in the years ahead.

Congratulations once again to the Fiji Indian Embassy and the people of India on this historic milestone.

Khan family link with the Girmit Era

The Khan family of Maro, Lautoka and Nadi have their roots deep in the Girmit history with the arrival of Rahmatullah Khan, our grand dad in the early period of Girmit.

What promises were made to him to entice him to take a job offer in Fiji, we know not, but he did accept the job as his region in Afghanistan was in turmoil.

Its hard to imagine what went through his mind of young Rahmatullah, when he carried his rolled up lugguage on his head, walking along the gantry to board the ship ‘Poonah 2’, on the 5th April 1883 from the Port of Culcutta.

The ship’s manifest recorded him as Rahmatulla, passenger of Pathan caste.

Rahmatullah Khan, great grandfather of Ashfaaq Khan who arrived in Fiji during the Girmit era.

He was born in Saleem Khan village, Zillah Rawal Pindi, in Attock.

After 75 days of prelicous journey, he arrived on the 19th June 1883 and gos posted to Wilson Farm in Navua.

There he met his future wife, Saliman Bibi who had arrived there with her two infant

They had seven sons and two more daughters from the marriage.

After serving his Girmit, Rahmatullah Khan moved to Matauralevu, Deuba where he ran a dairy business as well as cultivated cane on his allocated plot.

Source: Al Hamd Smart Living