Ismaili Volunteers Corps

By Author: Ibrahim Machiwala Lodhi
Total Articles: 396
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The English word volunteer means one who voluntarily offers or enrolls himself for military service, in contrast to those who are under obligation to do so, or who form part of a regular army. The original French word corps d'armee became short during 17th century, which was borrowed in English language in the form of corps means a unit, body, or group of army. The volunteer is a member of an organized military force, formed by voluntary enrolment and distinct from the regular army. In later use, the civilians forming a corps or body also called the volunteers to assist the regulation or law and order.

In 1322/1904, an enthusiastic group of the young Ismailis had formed the Young Ismaili Vidhya Vinod Club (or V.V. Club) at Bombay for literary, missionary and other communal activities. In 1337/1919, it wanted to add certain tinge of manliness to its activities. Thus, Lt. Col. Itmadi Pirmahomed V. Madhani (1896-1959), Major Abdullah Jafar Lakhpati, Major Alijah Rehmatullah V. Charnia, Abdullah Ismail Modi and Kassim Ali Muhammad Dawoodani, along with four other prominent members held a meeting and had thought of adding ...
... the aspect of heroism and bravery, and as a result, the V.V. Club inaugurated an organization of disciplined Volunteers Corps from among the youths of the community, known as The Young Ismaili Vidhya Vinod Volunteer Corps. Attired in uniform, they made their first appearance on November 19, 1919. They discharged their first official duty when Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah arrived in Bombay from Europe on March 2, 1920. The Imam and Prince Aly Khan became its patrons. The Imam also changed its name to H.H. The Aga Khan's Young Volunteers Corps and appointed Itmadi Pir Muhammad Madhani as its Captain. The Imam also gave them in Yervada Palace the Coat-of-Arms (the monogram) to be worn in the caps. Its rules and regulations were ordained for the first time in their general meeting held on July 8, 1920.

H.H. The Aga Khan's Bombay Ladies Volunteer Corps also came into existence in Kandi Mola in 1921 with Captain Mukhiani Sakinabai Ibrahim Lalji and Vice-Captain Prembai Mukhi K. Nura. After the inauguration of the Volunteers Corps in Bombay, wide-spread interest prevailed everywhere to establish similar institution through out the length and breath of India.

In 1923, Varas Jamal Ibrahim visited Bombay from Kisumu, Kenya and learnt much about the activities of the volunteers in Bombay from Major A.J. Lakhpati (1884-1947), and founded the first Volunteer Corpse in Kisumu. Thus, the tradition of the volunteer corps rapidly spread all over India and East African countries.