Thread by @GujaratHistory

Gujarati Vhora Muslims are wealthiest & most prosperous among all Gujarat Muslim communities. Vhora word derived from Vhoravu means to trade.Vhora/Vora are Muslim of Mustali branch of Shia Ismaili Muslims. They have been living in Gujarat since the 11th century.

In 1067 AD Dai Abdulla came Khambhat from Haraz Yemen. He was sent here to preach the Ismaili sect by Ismaili head Mullah of Yemen Arabia. In 11 to 13 century many Gujarati upper castes Brahmin, Nagar & Vanik adopted Islam & became Shia Vhora under influence of Mustali preachers.

Vhora/Vora is also the surname of upper castes Brahmin, Nagar & Vanik Hindu communities of Gujarat. Some Shia Ismaili Vhora families came into Gujarat with their Mota Mullaji-spiritual head from Aden in 1539 AD.

Sub-sects of Mustali Shia Ismaili Vhora:- Jafari, Sulaymani, Alia, Nagoshi and Daudi. Mustali Shia Ismaili preachers preached their religion freely in Gujarat without any obstruction from Gujarat Hindu kings up to the 13th century.

In middle age from 14th century Shia Ismaili sect Saints, Mullah & preachers were harassed by Gujarat's Muslim rulers as they were Sunni Muslims. In old-time Vhora Muslims were known also as 'Lotia' in Gujarat because of their Lota (metal water jug without handle) shape turban.

11th century Mustali Shia Ismaili preacher Dai Abdulla was a great scholar. He studied Hindu religion,customs & traditions at Khambhat & Patan.11-12th century Gujarat king Siddharaj Jaysinh Solanki went to Shia Mustali Ismaili Dai Abdulla to pay respects. He honoured Dai Abdulla.

In the 11th century & later many Gujarati Hindu including upper castes Brahmin, Nagar & Vanik adopted Islam & became Shia Vhora under influence of spiritual power & miracles of Shia Mustali Ismaili Saint Dai Abdulla.

In 14 & 15 century during Sultnat time, Shia Vhora were harassed & tortured by Sultans who were Sunni Muslim. So many Shia Vhora became Sunni. In 15 century founder of Ahmedabad Gujarat Sultan Ahmedshah killed Shia Vhora head Mullaji as he did not begin Ramzan as per Sunni rules.

In 1539 AD spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Vhora 24th Dai/Vada Mullaji Yusuf Najamuddin came from Yemen & founded 1st Gadi-seat at Siddhapur. Places of Gadi-seat of Dai-spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Daudi Vora from 1539 AD:- Siddhpur, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Ujjain, Burhanpur,Surat.

After death of Shia Mustali Ismaili Vhora's spiritual head 26th Dai Daudji in 1588 AD, they were divided into Sulaymani Vhora & Daudi Vhora. Shia Ismaili Vhora sub-sect Nagosi Vhora was founded in 1789 AD in Gujarat. Nagosi means no Gost (meat).These Nagosi Vhora were vegetarian.

Male names of Gujarati Vhora/Vora Muslims is suffixed by 'ali' or 'ji' e.g. Taiyabali, Musaji, Ganiji etc. Some Gujarati Vhora Muslim surname indicates their profession/goods or commodity they sell/their domicile city e.g. Nalwala, Rangwala, Rangoonwala etc.

In the 19 century, many Gujarati Vhora Muslims migrated to Africa, Burma (Myanmar), Malaya (Malesia & Singapore), Indonesia, Java-Sumatra, Aden & gulf countries for business and settled there. After independence of British/French/Portuguese colonies, many Vhora settled in Europe.

In 19 & early 20th century Vhora Muslims built magnificent European style mansions furnished with western furniture at Siddhpur, Surat & Mumbai. Old Gujarati proverb " VHORA NO MAL RODA MA JAY" means Vhora's wealth/money is expended in stones ( buildings ).