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📘 Research Article Title:
“From Calicut to Juhu: Tracing Malabar Muslim Maritime Lineages on the Bombay Coast”
🧩 Abstract (Draft):
This paper explores the under-documented but deeply rooted connections between Malabar Muslim communities (Mappilas) and the coastal regions of Bombay, with a focus on historical migration, maritime activity, and cultural transmission. Drawing from oral histories, etymological traces (such as Malabar Hill), and notable cultural figures like Aziz Nazan, the study investigates the hypothesis that centuries-old seafaring and trade networks from Calicut contributed to the establishment of enduring Malabari Muslim settlements in areas such as Juhu, Worli, and Mahim. It further examines how these communities preserved distinct musical, religious, and social identities, possibly descending from Mappila privateers, merchants, and mystics who fled Portuguese repression in the 16th century. Through ethnographic evidence, colonial gazetteers, and cultural biographies, this study uncovers a forgotten maritime corridor that still resonates in Mumbai’s diverse Muslim landscape.
🎤 Case Study Spotlight: Aziz Nazan Qawwal
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Born: Mumbai, c. 1931
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Community background: From a Malabari (Kerala) Muslim family settled in Mumbai.
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Profession: Legendary Qawwal (Sufi singer), famous for classics like “Chadhta Sooraj Dheere Dheere”, “Tajdar-e-Haram”, and more.
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Cultural significance:
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While qawwali is traditionally more North Indian (Delhi, Awadh, Punjab), Aziz Nazan's family brought a Kerala-origin Sufi tradition into the Mumbai qawwali circuit.
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This suggests a syncretic evolution: Kerala spiritual legacy blended with Bombay’s Urdu-ized qawwali scene.
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Possibility of lineage: If his family described themselves as “Malabari Muslims”, it is highly likely they were part of the long-term migration from Malabar Coast to Bombay, possibly tracing back several centuries — likely post-1500s, especially after Portuguese attacks in Calicut.
📍 Evidence Threads Worth Investigating:
| Evidence Type | Details |
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| Place Names | Malabar Hill = likely settlement/trade presence of Malabaris |
| Community Memory | Juhu & Worli Muslim families claiming Kerala descent |
| Portuguese Records | References to “Malabari Moors” operating north of Calicut |
| British Gazetteers | Mentions of “Moplas” in Bombay in the 19th century |
| Music Lineages | Aziz Nazan and others may represent cultural survival of Kerala-origin mysticism |
🧪 Suggested Sections of the Article:
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Introduction
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Historical Migration
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Flight from Portuguese aggression
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Role of Muslim merchants and seafarers
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Temporary pirate/privateer havens along Konkan
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Settlements on the Bombay Coast
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Juhu, Worli, Mahim — oral traditions and surnames
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Etymology of “Malabar Hill”
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Gazetteer and colonial evidence
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Cultural Case Study: Aziz Nazan
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Conclusion
Would you like me to format this as a print-ready PDF research brief or prepare a version for submission to a cultural heritage portal (e.g., Sahapedia, Internet Archive, or Zenodo)?
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Aziz Nazan-MALABAR MUSLIM SETTLED IN BOMBAY/MUMBAI-SAYS SINCE CENTURIES?IS IT TRUE?
ARE THEY PART OF ORIGINAL MALABAR HILL IMMIGRANTS DURING PORTUGUESE RULE 1500?
Aziz Nazan, a notable qawwali singer, was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1939 and was associated with the city's cultural scene, particularly through his music. Claims that his family or community, often identified as Malabar Muslims, have been settled in Bombay/Mumbai for centuries require careful examination. The term "Malabar Muslims" typically refers to the Mappila Muslim community from the Malabar Coast of Kerala, known for their maritime trade and cultural ties to Arab traders. However, in the context of Mumbai, it may also loosely refer to Muslim communities linked to the western coast of India, including those who settled in areas like Malabar Hill.
Historical Context of Malabar Muslims in Bombay/Mumbai
Early Muslim Presence in Bombay: Mumbai’s history under Islamic rule began in 1348 when the islands came under the Muzaffarid dynasty, followed by the Gujarat Sultanate from 1391 until 1534. During this period, Muslim traders, including those from Gujarat and possibly the Malabar Coast, were active in the region due to its strategic port. The Gujarat Sultanate’s governance included Mahim, a key island in the Bombay archipelago, where Muslim communities engaged in maritime trade.
Malabar Hill’s Name and Muslim Connection: Malabar Hill, originally called Walkeshwar, derives its modern name from various theories. One suggests it was named after traders from the Malabar Coast, possibly including the Keya family, who were influential in Mumbai’s trade with the Portuguese, French, and English. This family is said to have hailed from North Malabar (Kerala), potentially linking the area to Malabar Muslim traders. However, this connection is anecdotal and not conclusively tied to a specific Muslim settlement.
Portuguese Rule (1534–1661): When the Portuguese took control of Bombay in 1534 via the Treaty of Bassein, the islands were primarily inhabited by indigenous groups like the Kolis, with smaller Hindu and Muslim communities. The Portuguese focused on Christianization and fortification, building churches and forts like Castella de Aguada in Bandra. Muslim populations, including those possibly from the Malabar Coast, were present but not dominant. The Portuguese encouraged intermarriage and conversion, which may have altered community identities. There is no direct evidence of a significant Malabar Muslim settlement in Malabar Hill during this period.
Muslim Communities in Bombay: The Muslim “Moors” in Bombay during Portuguese rule were primarily engaged in maritime trade, as noted in historical records. Some Konkani Muslims settled in Mahim as early as the 13th century, but these were more likely tied to the Deccan or Gujarat than the Malabar Coast. The Haji Ali Dargah, built in 1431, indicates a Muslim presence, but it was constructed by a saint from Gujarat, not Malabar.
Aziz Nazan’s Connection to Malabar Muslims
Family Background: There is limited biographical information about Aziz Nazan’s ancestral roots. His association with “Malabar Muslims” likely refers to a broader Muslim community in Mumbai, possibly those with coastal trade connections. Claims of centuries-long settlement may be a cultural or familial narrative rather than a historically verified fact. Mumbai’s Muslim population grew significantly in the 17th–19th centuries due to trade and migration, including from Gujarat, Konkan, and possibly Malabar.
Malabar Hill Residents: Malabar Hill became an elite residential area in the 19th century, particularly after the British governor moved there in the 1880s. It has long been home to diverse communities, including Muslims like the Dawoodi Bohras, but there is no evidence linking Aziz Nazan’s family specifically to Malabar Hill or its early settlers. The area’s Muslim residents today are more likely later migrants than original inhabitants from the 1500s.
Were Malabar Muslims Part of Original Malabar Hill Immigrants During Portuguese Rule?
Unlikely as a Distinct Group: During Portuguese rule, Malabar Hill (then Walkeshwar) was sparsely populated, with indigenous Kolis and Hindu communities like the Prabhus and Bhandaris. The Walkeshwar Temple, built by the Silhara kings, was a significant site, later destroyed by the Portuguese. Muslim traders, possibly including those from Malabar, visited or settled in Bombay for trade, but no records confirm a distinct Malabar Muslim community in Malabar Hill in the 1500s.
Trade-Based Migration: The Malabar Coast had strong trade links with Bombay, and Mappila Muslims were active in maritime commerce. Some may have settled in Bombay’s trading hubs like Mahim or Dongri, but Malabar Hill itself was not a primary settlement area until later. The Portuguese prioritized Catholic settlements, and Malabar Hill’s prominence as a residential area emerged under British rule.
Name Origin Confusion: The name “Malabar Hill” may reflect trade connections with the Malabar Coast, but this does not necessarily indicate a large Malabar Muslim settlement. The Keya family story suggests a possible link, but it lacks corroboration and may refer to Hindu or mixed communities rather than Muslims.
Conclusion
The claim that Aziz Nazan’s Malabar Muslim community has been settled in Bombay/Mumbai for centuries is plausible but not definitively supported by historical evidence. Mumbai’s Muslim population, including those with ties to the Malabar Coast, grew over time due to trade and migration, particularly from the 14th century onward. However, there is no clear evidence that Malabar Muslims were part of the original Malabar Hill immigrants during Portuguese rule in the 1500s. Malabar Hill’s early inhabitants were primarily indigenous and Hindu, with Muslim traders more likely settled in areas like Mahim. Aziz Nazan’s family may descend from later Muslim migrants to Mumbai, possibly linked to coastal trade networks, but specific ties to Malabar Hill’s 16th-century population are unlikely.
