1924 : TOURS & VISITS

 

Mid-1920s : Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Mid-1920s : Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
 British-India flag
British-India flag

                        1924 - First half

 

CONTENT :  1. INTRODUCTION

                     2.  BOMBAY

                     3.  1ST TRIP TO PERSIA ( IRAN )

                     4TOUR OF NORTH & CENTRAL INDIA

                     5.  TRIP TO KARACHI & QUETTA

 

                       1924 - Second half

 

                     6.  TRIP TO AURANGABAD

                     7.  TRIP TO SOUTH INDIA

                     8.  TRIP TO CALCUTTA

                     9.  TRIP TO KASHMIR

                   10.  TRIP TO BARODA

                   11.  TRIP TO GOA

                   12.  RETURN TO MEHERABAD

 

                   

 

Page references are marked RD ( Ramjoo's Diary ) & LM ( Lord Meher ).

Click on the following button to visit the previous page in Meher Baba's Advent.

 

 

31st Dec. 1923 : Meher Baba's trip from Meherabad to Bombay. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

  31st Dec. 1923 : Meher Baba's trip from Meherabad to Bombay. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

JANUARY 2024

 

Gulmai Irani had been sent by Meher Baba to Sakori ( Upasni Mahraj's ashram ) at the start of the month to bring Mehera ( 16 ) & Khorshed Irani ( 12.5 ) to Bombay, staying at Khorshed's parents home at the Irani Mansions. Mehera's mother Daulat was also there.

Both Mehera & Khorshed came daily for Baba's darshan at the Bharucha Building.

 

LM Vol.2 p.589

 

* Note : There are NO teenage pictures of Mehera J. Irani. She would have been 16 y.o.

 

 UPASNI MAHARAJ       DAULAT S. IRANI            GUMAI K. IRANI                KHORSHED K. IRANI

 

 

January continued...

During this month, Baba went with Naval Talati for a walk at Chowpatty Beach in Bombay.

( see map below ). Baba noticed a man and asked Naval to find out who is this man. A dialogue between Baba and this man Feramroz H. Dadachanji ensued, with Baba telling him he was to be part of his Universal Cinema. Naval explained to Feramroz ( later named by Baba as "Chanji" ) who Baba was and he gave him Baba's address and they left.

The man was planning to take his life by drowning but changed his mind with this new hope. He started to visit Baba and soon his family came to Baba as well.

Chanji had a cinema in Bombay called the Madelaine Cinema near the corner of Grant & Lamington Streets which he co-owned with his best friend. This friend had an affair with Chanji's wife which led to a divorce, which had led him later to contemplate suicide.

 

Chanji was to become Meher Baba's secretary and served him for about 20 years.

 

LM Vol.2 p.589

 

A fuller account of this encounter is on Feramroz's ( Chanji's ) webpage, click on the name below.

 

Feramroz H. Dadachanji    Bombay map           Madelaine Cinema               Naval Talati

 

 

January continued...

 

Throughout January, Meher Baba fasted , but broke it on Jan. 20th. The following day, Vladimir I. Lenin died, the Communist Russian leader. ( see Historic Timeline below )

 

Later the same month, Baba resumed fasting even thou his mother was very upset with his physical appearance and scolded him.

 

On the 29th January, some of the men mandali went to the Persian Consulate in Bombay with their passports. Elsewhere, after some deliberations, Baba decided to go to Persia via Bandar Abbas instead of going to Baghdad, Iraq.

Baba determined that 8 men were to go with him.

 

 

 

3.                               1st Trip to Persia

 

February 1924

 

On 12th February, a birthday feast was held for Baba at his premises, ( according to the Parsi calendar ) with lots of food. This coincided with the Perfect Master Upasni Maharaj coming out of his bamboo cage, ending a very long confinement period.

 

They boarded the ship S.S. Varela on 22nd February at 7:30am and departed Bombay harbour at 9:30am.

 

The men mandali that accompanied Meher Baba were :

Adi K. Irani, Beheramji H. Irani, Rustom B.'Baidul' Jafrabadi, Gustadji N. Hansotia, Rustom G.'Masaji' Irani, Khodadad F. 'Nervous' Irani, Faredoon 'Padri' Driver, Hormusji Vajifdar.

 

The other men that were left behind were told to wait at their homes until their return.

Mehera and her mother Daulat returned to their house in Poona.

 

RD  p.297

LM  p.600

 

https://www.meherbabatravels.com/ship-travels/varela/

S.S. VARELA. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

MEHER BABA          ADI K. IRANI        GUSTADJI HANSOTIA  "BAIDUL" JAFRABADI    PILAMAI IRANI   

BEHRAMJI H.IRANI   "MASAJI"  IRANI    "NERVOUS" IRANI     "PADRI" DRIVER   HORMUSJI VAJIFDAR

 

 

1930 - Passengers waiting to board at Kiamari, Karachi's wharf.
1930 - Passengers waiting to board at Kiamari, Karachi's wharf.

 

February cont.

 

During the 2 day voyage to Karachi. Meher Baba and his men always travelled lower class, which meant they stayed on the deck of the ship and braved the elements. Masaji did the cooking, mostly simple vegetarian meals with tea. Beheramji came down with a fever, and Adi had sea-sickness. Baba nursed both of them until they arrived in Karachi.

 

Pilamai had come to the wharf to see Baba on the 24th February, bringing flowers, vegetables, etc. Other admirers came as well. They soon departed the same day and some days later, when they entered the Persian Gulf, the waters were calm, steaming to Bahrain arriving about the 28th and then to the Persian port of Bushire, arriving about the 1st March.

 

RD p.298

 

* Please note : Adi K. Irani who was writing in the diary during this trip, did not write the dates of the arrivals or departures to or from these ports. The dates given are the webmasters estimates only.

1940S : Bahrein and the port. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

1940S : Bahrein and the port. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 Map shows the whole trip in Febraury & March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

Map shows the whole trip in February & March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

1920s : Bushire Port, Persia. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
1920s : Bushire Port, Persia. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

1st March , 1924

 

When the ship arrived in Bushire on the 1st, a launch took the passengers to the dock and very agile porters took their belongings and placed them on mules to and then taken to Mr. Gilam Husain Lodi's house. A very cold front has set in prior to their arrival in Bushire. Keeping warm was crucial, the whole atmosphere was very wet and gloomy and not comfortable.

 

Both Baba and Vajifdar were suffering from nausea. Water had been purchased and brought to the house, but it had maggots in it and was also cloudy white. They decided to go inland to Shiraz, the home of the Perfect Master and poet Hafiz *( b.1325 - d.1390 ) and hired a truck to transport them there for 400 rupees.

 

The next day, 2nd March, Padri also got severe fever, Baba decided to cancel that trip and take another ship the S.S. Baroja back to Karachi. It was agreed that Baidul and Beheramji were to get down at Bandar Abba on the way, so they could go to their respective homes in Persia, and the rest onto Karachi.

The S.S. Baroja was very basic, a combined passenger and cargo ship.

 

RD  p.300

LM  p.601

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafez

 

S.S. Barjora, the ship that made the return voyage to Karachi. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

S.S. Barjora, the ship that made the return voyage to Karachi. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

3. Map shows a close-up view of the sea routes in late February 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
3. Map shows a close-up view of the sea routes in late February 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Early 1900s : Wharf scene at Bandar Abbas. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Early 1900s : Wharf scene at Bandar Abbas. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

March 3 - 6th, 1924

 

The ship departed for Bandar Abbas, the passengers comprised of many Arabs, who were not civilized to Western standards, by killing animals by the score for their meals and relieving themselves anywhere. The men were quite shocked by their behaviour.

They arrived a couple of days later. After the 2 men left Baba  and went ashore, the ship stayed a couple of hours and then went to the small port of Li(e)ngeh, then onto the island of Ha(e)ngam.

 

RD  p.303

 

Lengeh / Bandar Lengeh, Iran nowadays

Hengam, Iran nowadays
Hengam, Iran nowadays

The port of Hengam, Iran nowadays

 

 

March 7 - 15th

 

The ship then steamed to the port of Muscat, Oman on the other side of the Straits of Hormuz taking several days to arrive. After a stay in the port, the ship departed for Karachi, arriving in mid-March.

 

Before arriving in Karachi, Baba met Gurkhas on board and they suggested that Baba and his men should go to Kathmandu in Nepal. He agreed to go there.

 

 

 

 

Map showing the ship routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Map graphice by Anthony Zois.
Map showing the ship routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Map graphice by Anthony Zois.
Early 1900s ; Aerial view of Muscat, Oman. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Early 1900s ; Aerial view of Muscat, Oman. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

4.                TOUR OF NORTH & CENTRAL INDIA

 

 

Mid-March 1924

 

When they arrived in Karachi, Vajifdar took Padri to Pilamai's house because he was still terribly ill and Nervous was assigned to look after him.

 

Meanwhile, Meher Baba and the remaining 3 men had their luggage arrive at the railway station from the dock. The men all rested in the waiting room of the station until their train the Quetta Mail was ready to leave. Later, Vajifdar returned to join the group which made 4 of Baba's men Mandali (close ones).

 

The remaining men mandali were Adi, Gustadji, Masaji & Vajifdar.

 

LM p.603

 

MEHER BABA          ADI K. IRANI        GUSTADJI HANSOTIA  "MASAJI"  IRANI    HORMUSJI VAJIFDAR

 

 

1926 Meher Baba at Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

1926 Meher Baba at Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

Karachi Railway Station. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

Karachi Railway Station. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

Map show the various routes taken between 22nd Feb to late March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

Map show the various routes taken between 22nd Feb to late March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

Map shows the rail route taken from Karachi to Lucknow, India in mid-March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 Map shows the rail route taken from Karachi to Lucknow, India in mid-March 1924. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

Mid-March continued

 

The train later left Karachi for Hyderabad ( Sind ), then changed trains for Jaipur and onto Lucknow. Here, Baba went to the bazaar there looking for sandals, but was disappointed with what was being offered. Baba was still wearing the woolen Kamli coat that Yeshwant Rao had given him and the sandals that Kanhoba Rao made back in India prior to travelling.

Masaji did all the cooking for the group including the teas.

 

RD p.301

Meher Baba wearing the Kamli coat in Meherabad. The coat colour is only a suggestion by Anthony Zois who rendered the image.
Meher Baba wearing the Kamli coat in Meherabad. The coat colour is only a suggestion by Anthony Zois who rendered the image.

The above image of the Kamli coat is how it appears in the Meherabad Museum. Baba had worn the coat for about 10 years and was constantly patched up by the women mandali.

 

continued

 

Leaving Lucknow, they proceeded to Raxaul which a frontier station on the Nepalese border. They discovered that they had missed the entry date by a few days. Baba had sent telegrams to various government authorities, but permission was not granted.

 

 

Map : Mid-March 1924 : Lucknow to Raxaul railway trip. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map : Mid-March 1924 : Lucknow to Raxaul railway trip. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

  Present day Raxaul Railway Station platforms and tracks.

 

Rail map of the Raxaul to Maghar route. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

continued

 

They then decided to proceed to Maghar  (via Gorakhpur) and visit the tomb of the renown poet and Perfect Master Kabir, staying for 2 days. Baba had the men feed 50 poor people here, all the surplus provisions were distributed which made their luggage considerably lighter.

 

There are 2 tombs for Kabir in the Maghar, one for the Hindus and one for the Muslims.

Baba had to intervene on a quarrel here between 2 groups of travelling sadhus (spiritual aspirants). He told them sternly on how to behave when one lives the life of a pilgrim.

 

RD p.302

LM p.604

 

Maghar ; the 2 Tombs / Samadhis for Perfect Master Kabir.
Maghar ; the 2 Tombs / Samadhis for Perfect Master Kabir.

 

 

Mid-March continued

 

*They left Maghar for Cawnpore ( Kanpur ) some 200 miles / 320 Kms away. When they arrived in Cawnpore, it took them awhile riding in a tonga to find a suitable place to stay at a dhamashala (rest house). They later went to the local bathing steps by tram cars to bathe in the Ganges River.

 

RD p.302

LM p.604

 

 

* The 2 references used to write the account of this trip have different versions on how Baba and his men went from Maghar to Cawnpore. The Lord Meher book & On-line versions having a horse tonga transporting 6 men including the driver, 200 miles / 320 Kms in a couple of days. That is not possible.

 

The only viable option was that they took the train at Maghar for Cawnpore via Basti, Mankapur, Faizabad ( Ayodhya ) and Lucknow.

The account in Ramjoo's Diary only stated "From here the party came to Cawnpore".

 

Webmaster

 

Babri Masjid, Faizabad, India. This mosque was destroyed by fanatical Hindus in 1992 & later a Hindu temple was built. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

Babri Masjid, Faizabad, India. This mosque was destroyed by fanatical Hindus in 1992 & later a Hindu temple was built. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.

 

 

 

 

 

Rail map of the Raxaul to Maghar route. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

Rail map shown the route from Maghar to Cawnpore, India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

continued

 

After leaving Cawnpore by train, Baba instructed Vajifdar to return to Bombay, Masaji to Poona, Gustadji and Adi to Ahmednager. He also asked Gustadji to find a suitable location about 5-6 miles ( 8-10Kms ) from Sakori for future work.

 

1924 Mid- March ; Meher Baba's Rail trip from Lucknow to Itarsi, India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
1924 Mid- March ; Meher Baba's Rail trip from Lucknow to Itarsi, India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

continued

 

When the train arrived at Itarsi, Meher Baba got down alone. As instructed, the men mandali travelled to their assigned destinations.

 

Baba roamed about the town and surrounding countryside, coming across other spiritual masters. After a week, near the end of March, Baba returned and joined the mandali at Meherabad, near Arangaon.

 

This concludes Adi K. Irani's account in Ramjoo's diary.

 

RD p.303

 

This period of Meher Baba being by himself was very rare, the only other time during his advent was when he disappeared for about a day while visiting Istanbul in 1931.

 

Nothing is known of what he did, or who he met or said anything.

Webmaster

 

 

Late March 1924 : The final rail leg of Meher Baba's epic trip to Persia and to Northern India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Late March 1924 : The final rail leg of Meher Baba's epic trip to Persia and to Northern India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

 

On 26th March, Ramjoo Jaffer received a telegram from Meher Baba to come to

Meherabad at once. As he was about to leave, he got a severe fever, very weakened and barely to be able to walk, his family protested to him, he still boarded the train from Lonavla to Ahmednagar at 2:30pm. He reached Baba's camp at 10:30 that night. His fever has slightly subsided.

The next day, Baba told Ramjoo that he's decided to stay near to Arangaon and he wanted him to move there and arrangements were being made to him to be occupied so he could support his family. Because of a coming wedding, he was to stay till the 7th of April at his home and then move.

 

Modern Itarsi Railway station.
Modern Itarsi Railway station.

 

 

Ramjoo walked back to to the Ahmednagar Railway station to catch the train back to Lonavla. On the 8th April, after attending the marriage ceremonies, Ramjoo returned to Meherabad to help the men with building and earth works.The work was hard and steady every day.

Others from the Kasba Peth group in Poona ; Arjun, Chowdhari, Kondiram, Vishnu and others were called to stay at Meherabad to fix the new settlement.

 

RD p. 304-6

 

 

     RAMJOO                    ARJUN                CHOWDHARI         KONDIRAM               VISHNU

 

 

April 13th was the Hindu festival for Rama-Navri. A canopy was erected at Baba's newly erected room - Jhopdi, later many from Poona arrived for the occasion.

Baily, Barsoap, Padri, Masaji, Khan Saheb, *Kaikushru along with **Bhikolya and his singing party.

 

RD p.307

LM p.608

*  It is assumed that Kaikushru mentioned is Gulmai's husband, who had owned the land of Meherabad, prior to Meher Baba's arrival.

 

**There is no known image of Bhikolya

 

     BAILY                       BARSOAP             PADRI                    KHAN SAHEB           KAIKUSHRU

 

 

Mid- April continued      - April is the middle of Summer

 

Someone proposed there should be a distinctive sign to be displayed and to wear coloured clothing by all those who were devoted to Meher Baba, Upasni and Babajan.

Baba was not in favour of it. "Ours is not a society. Any mark of distinction would robus of our independence and would prove a binding yo restrict our minds."  Hence the idea was dropped and the meeting was dissolved.

 

The festivities lasted several days, with many stories told of past Masters, singing and lectures on spirituality. One evening Baba made several essential messages, including the following extract - "Once I settle here, the atmosphere of this place will be greatly heightened spiritually and materially. I have a 'great mission' to perform, in my life for the benefit of humanity, the outcome of which will be observed in the near future".

 

On the 14th April at 11am, a mass feeding started and continued till evening, nearly a thousand poor and destitute persons were fed. The food was cooked by Chowdhari and others. Kondiram had returned to his ill mother.                                         LM p.608

 

The following day 15th April, a meeting was held to suggest a name for Baba's newly built one room hut. He suggested the name "Jhodpi" (hut). Others referred to it as 'Agra Kuti' ( 1st hut).           * see the above images of the hut.

They also agreed to name the 3 animals that Mehera's mother Daulat had brought to Meherabad. The white horse was called 'Sufi', the white dog 'Sadhu' and the bullock 'Saint'. Many discourses were given during this time. Baba had made Ramjoo and Gustadji co-managers of Meherabad.

 

LM p.616

 

   DAULAT IRANI                                RUSTOM K. IRANI                     FREINY J. IRANI

 April continued 

 

 

On 20th April, Rustom had bought a copy of the Gujarati newspaper 'Akhbar', in which Sohrabji Desai reviewed Upasni Maharaj's biography.  He also wrote in the same paper, that he had met Meher Baba and fully believed that he was 'the coming of the Jagat Guru' - Master of the Universe, the Avatar.                                                              LM p. 615

 

The following day, 21st, Naval, Dina and her mother Rupamai arrived from Bombay. Gulmai who came daily, arrived with Rustom who bought a bundle of sweets and the happy news that his wife Freiny ( Mehera's sister) had given birth to a son. The Master named him after himself - Merwan.

 

The next day, 22nd, a mast ( a God intoxicated person) arrived, he was very thirsty and hungry. Baba gave him new clothes after feeding him and he was sent away. On another day, a mother and child came looking for food, they too were fed and given new clothes and sent away.

 

LM p.616

 

 

      SOHRABJI  DESAI                                DINA TALATI                                     NAVAL TALATI

April continued 

 

On the 23rd April, work was in progress to putting up a fence around the 'jhodpdi'(hut), with a pavement to protect the plants. A while ago, it was decided that a flag would be attached near the hut, as it is the custom with such places with spiritual sites.

What colour to use proved very divisive, the Hindus preferred a red flag, the Muslims -green and the Zoroastrians disliked both. Hence a compromise solution was given by Baba, that the flag be formed of 7 colours.A flag was prepared by Dina Talati.

After the work hours, the flag was hoisted at night.

 

As the flag stirred, Baba remarked, "Do you know why I suggested a seven-coloured flag? The seven colours represent the seven planes of consciousness." Meher Baba then specified the positioning of two of the colours: "Red should be at the bottom of the flag and sky blue at the top. Arrangement of the other five colours is your decision." Then he later added: "Besides representing the seven planes of consciousness, these colours also represent SANSKARAS -- impressions. The colours in the flag signify man’s rise from the grossest impressions of lust and anger -- symbolized by red -- to the culmination in the highest state of spirituality and oneness with God -- symbolized by sky blue."

 

Bhau Kalchuri LORD MEHER, Vol. Two, p. 619 Copyright 1987 AMBPPCT

 

 

 

 

Meher Baba's flag 1924
Meher Baba's flag 1924

 

April continued

 

The Satha brothers arrived on the 27th April, to see Baba. They were followers of Gandhi.

In the afternoon, Baba went to Happy Valley  for a drive with Munshi, Syedsahid, Adi and Rustom. Here, Baba described the spiritual 'circles' in his realm and how they function.

They returned at 8pm to Meherabad, with Munshi and Syedsahid* returning to Bombay and Nasik respectively. Ramjoo also returned to Lonavla via Dhond, with Baba's permission to attend a coming festival.

 

RD p.323

 

 *There is no known image of Syedsahib.

 

The map shows the road route between Meherabad & Happy Valley. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
The map shows the road route between Meherabad & Happy Valley. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

RAMJOO  JAFFER    MUNSHI RAHIM        ADI K. IRANI          RUSTOM K. IRANI     MAHATMA GANDHI

 

 

Ramjoo returned on the 9th May, Meher Baba had secluded himself in his hut and was fasting as well. 

Vishnu was stung by a scorpion and was treated, Baba gathered all at his hut and warned them about the scorpions but especially about snakes and to carry lights when they move about at night.

The following day ( 10th ), Padri was asked by Baba to tell everyone what to do if bitten by a snake, what treatment, including being taken to the local hospital in Ahmednagar for treatment.

On the 12 May, Choudhari decided he had enough and was leaving for Poona without any explanation even when Baba asked him what troubled him. Baba then asked if anyone else wanted to join him, no one responded.

 

RD p.324

 

  The map shows the rail route between Ahmednagar & Bombay. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.The map shows the rail route between Ahmednagar & Bombay. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

 

  VISHNU DEORUKHAR     "PADRI"  FAREDOON DRIVER       CHOUDHARI            DR. GHANI MUNSIFF

 

 

May continued

 

Daulat Irani and her 2 daughters - *Mehera (17) and Freiny (20) came on the 19th May to stay for a couple of days. They were to share 2 rooms, with 3 other women, including

*Davla Masi.

Baba's jhodpi / hut was decorated with buntings, plantation leaves, etc, for Upasni Maharaj's birthday celebrations the following day.

 

The following day ( 20th ), Baba's brothers Jamshed and Beheram came and many others came as well for the celebrations, with temporary shading erected providing shelter from the hot sun. Devotional songs, bells, drums and other musical instruments filled the air for the joyous occasion. Later a rain shower came when 'prasad' ( blessed sweets from the Master ) were given out. Supper followed. Baba was still fasting.

 

On the 23rd, Dr. Ghani and *Abdul Tayeb arrived from Lonavla by car and placed it at Baba's disposal. Later, Baba gave Adi K. Irani permission to shave so he could attend his cousin's marriage that night. All the men including Baba, had beards and they were not allowed to shave.

 

RD p.332

 

* There is no known images of either Davla Masi or Abdul Tayeb.

 

* There is no known image of Mehera as a teenager. The image shown below is her as a young adult.

 

          DAULAT IRANI                                MEHERA J. IRANI                     FREINY J. IRANI

 

May continued

 

It was decided on the 26th May, to drive to Aurangabad then to Daulatabad and onto the Ellora Caves in 2 cars, departing at 5:30am with 13 man mandali. The remaining people at Meherabad were to continue with their daily routines.

 

Adi K. Irani wrote - on the way, they came across the Imampur Ghats, 12 miles from Imampur, halting at a village called Ghodegaon, where they took tea, then onto the town of Toka, finally arriving at Aurangabad and later finding a rest-place there.

 

RD p.333

 

6.                            TRIP TO  AURANGABAD

 

Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India.
Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India.
1924 Road trip Ahmednagar to Daulatabad, India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
1924 Road trip Ahmednagar to Daulatabad, India. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the road route going through Aurangabad to Daulatabad. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the road route going through Aurangabad to Daulatabad. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
1988 : The Daulatabad Fort & minaret. Photo taken by Anthony Zois.
1988 : The Daulatabad Fort & minaret. Photo taken by Anthony Zois.

 

May continued

 

They had continuing car mishaps all the way to Daulatabad arriving at 6pm. Baba advised he wasn't keen travelling at night to the caves, so they returned to the rest house. Baba was not well during this time and had a sleepless night.

 

The following day, 27th May at 5am, the group all headed back to Meherabad, which consisted of more car troubles all the way.

During the next few days, Baba mentioned possibly going to Kashmir with the Mandali, then suddenly changed his mind and decide to travel to Quetta in one car, giving Sarosh* instructions for him to drive, etc.  Later that day, Sarosh returned from Ahmednagar after consulting his father who was totally against his son going anywhere with Baba.

 

*Sarosh's family owned a car dealership in Ahmednagar and he was the manager.

 

RD p.334-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

      SAROSH K. IRANI                                                          SAROSH MOTORS

5.                                        TRIP TO KARACHI & QUETTA

 

                              2ND VISIT :  JUNE - JULY 1924

 

 

1925 : Meher Baba at Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
1925 : Meher Baba at Meherabad, India. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the overall routes taken during trip. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the overall routes taken during trip. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 

The plan took a twist, they now planned on leaving on the 2nd June 1924 by rail to Bombay and then to Quetta.

The animals at Meherabad were all arranged to be offered to Upasni Maharaj at Sakori.

 

Baba along with *Ardeshir ( Director of Agriculture), Ghani, Ramjoo and Vajifdar had left for Ahmednagar Railway station in the morning and the train travelled to Bombay via Manmad, arriving at 12:30pm.

 

When they reached Deolali, the railway station after Nasik, they had to change carriages and through a series of mishaps with luggages, tickets, changing train, some of the men inadvertently boarded the train to Bombay without Baba and Ramjoo.

 

Deolali was one several major British Army bases that provided treatment for battle wounds and training. This had been operational since the Boar War, and was well know throughout the service. Many servicemen, were accommodated here shortly after the WW2 to be deployed back to the country they had came from.

 

Baba and Ramjoo went to the nearby bazaar and hired a car to take them to the next railway stop of Lahit, some 4-5 miles / 6-8 kms away towards Igatpuri. Again, mishaps occurred, their hired driver eventually go lost and then Baba and Ramjoo decided to leave the car and walked across fields carrying their belongings to the nearby railway station.

 

When they arrived at Lahit, a tiny rural town, the Station Master was taken by Baba's appearance and of his connection to Sai Baba of Shirdi. Food and refreshments were provided by him, Baba insisted that the Station Master take RS.10/- that he offered as a gift. A nearby man came over and sang songs for over an hour for Baba and many others also came to listen.

Ramjoo telephoned from the station to Igatpuri where the other men were waiting.

Later, Baba and Ramjoo boarded the next train, met the waiting men and proceeded to Bombay arriving in the morning of the 4th June.

 

They put up at the Irani Mansions No.6 at Dadar, Bombay.

 

RD p.337-340

 

* There are no known images of Ardeshir

 

Deolali is 17 kms / 10 miles from Nasik to the East.

 

DR. GHANI MUNSIFF       RAMJOO JAFFER          HORMUSJI VAJIFDAR               ADI K. IRANI

Early June 1924. First part of Meher Baba's trip to Quetta, etc. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Early June 1924. First part of Meher Baba's trip to Quetta, etc. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

      DEOLALI  R.S.                               LAHIT  R.S.                                       IGATPURI  R.S.

 

June continued...

 

Ghani was told by Baba to wait at his home in Lonavla and to come later.

On the 6th June, Adi had arrived in Bombay, joining the group and the following day ( 7th ) they departed for Quetta on the Gujarat Mail train to Delhi. In the evening they changed trains at Marwar Junction, detaching from the Delhi Mail train and attaching to the J.B. Railway train which proceeded to Hyderabad (Sind), crossing the Rajputana desert.

 

RD p.341

 

 1892 : Hyderabad ( Sind ) Railway Station. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
1892 : Hyderabad ( Sind ) Railway Station. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Map shows a close-up of Western British India & rail routes. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows a close-up of Western British India & rail routes. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

June continued...

 

Arriving 8th June in Hyderabad in the morning. Baba had a telegram telling Rusi Irani saying he and 3 others will arrive in Quetta on the 9th and to keep their arrival very private.

They boarded the Quetta Mail train, arriving at Sibi Junction on the following morning and arrival in Quetta at 5pm. Rusi pulled some strings with the police at Sibi to fast process Baba and his men through the security.

Rusi gave them lavish hospitality, which they needed.

The garden land that they seen on their previous trip was not available and it was too icy, so it was decided to go to Sukkur. Ramjoo and *Adeshir took the train to the town on the 11th June, with a letter of introduction to man called *Mobedji.

When they arrived they settled into a traveller's shelter and they found this man, he passed them onto many others who were very hospitable and sympathetic , but the land upon inspection was not suitable, especially in the hot summer. They inspected more lands by the backs of the Indus River and other locations. They continued on the next day - 12th, still inspecting more lands.

They continued to the town of Rohri on the 13th June. The next day ( 14th ), they returned to Quetta. They soon discovered that Baba and a local man had already left for Sukkar last night.

 

RD p.343-4

 

* There are no known images of Ardeshir or Mobedji.

 

 

 

 

        SIBI  RAILWAY STATION                                              QUETTA RAILWAY STATION

             SUKKUR RAILWAY STATION                                                     ROHRI RAILWAY STATION

 

 

June continued...

 

Meher Baba returned to Quetta on the 15th June, not pleased that the men weren't there to meet him Sukkur, his reply to Ramjoo's message before returned to Quetta had been misplaced by the station staff. Baba had purchased some land with the assistance of *Holaram and *Rustomji.

Baba had also visited the tomb of a renowned Muslim local saint - Bachal Shah.

 

That evening Baba and the party went for a motor spin around Quetta. Baba told Ramjoo to go back to Sukkur and visit the saint's tomb and look  for a suitable house to stay.

 

RD p.345

 

* There are no known images of Holaram & Rustomji.

 

    Syed Bachal Shah       Syed Bachal Shah Shrine, Sukkur, Pakistan       Hazrat  Babajan

Map of Quetta. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map of Quetta. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

June continued...

 

On the 17th June, Ramjoo arrived in the morning, he selected a bungalow and took a 6 month lease. He then went to the plot of land that Baba had bought when he encounted a lady who similarities to Perfect Master Babajan in Poona. She was muttering inaudible words, when she asked him "Who is your Master ?", he replied Meher Baba. She then uttered "King Emperor" and began muttering again.

She had been devoted to Bachal Shah when he was alive, she had left her family and was addressed as Mastani Mai. Ramjoo found the man that was absorbed in Bachal Shah's tomb when Baba visited. Ramjoo gave him Rs5/- (5 rupees), which Baba had given him prior.

 

Then another saintly person appeared who was known as Mustanshah. He began asking Ramjoo about his family and other from his home town in Lonavla. Ramjoo was bewildered. The man said he had spent some time at Lonavla and told him many observations he had made.

In the afternoon, Ramjoo rowed in a boat with a local guide to Sat-Bela ( Sadhu-Bela ), visiting a Hindu place of worship. He met with the head of the institute there and gave him the present Baba had given him for this purpose. This institute fed scores of needy people.

Ramjoo left Sukkur for Quetta by the 10pm train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadhu Bala ( Sat-Bela )- small island, Hindu religious place -Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Sadhu Bala ( Sat-Bela )- small island, Hindu religious place -Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan. Image rendition by Anthony Zois.
Mach Railway Station, Pakistan
Mach Railway Station, Pakistan

 

 

This place in Sukkur was to be the Baba's new seat, but many preferred the temperate climate of Karachi. Loads of trunks, etc arrived and stored in Sukkur. By the 30th June, most of the Mandali had arrived in Sukkur.

 

 

 

Khodadad Farhad ( Nervous ) had a fever due to Sufi the horse had struck his knee and it got infected. Even though he was getting medical care from a European surgeon, from when he first arrived. He was then declared to have typhoid. Baba spent considerable time with. On the 16th July, Nervous passed away, when Baba had arrived in Mach ( Machh ).

 

Funeral arrangements had been taken care of.

 

Mach township is between Quetta & Sibi on the same railway line. All the above towns mentioned are now part of Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

 Khodadad Farhad ( Nervous )
Khodadad Farhad ( Nervous )
Maghar-Pir Sufi Shrine, Karachi, Pakistan
Maghar-Pir Sufi Shrine, Karachi, Pakistan
Sufi shrine at Manghopir-Karachi, Pakistan
Sufi shrine at Manghopir-Karachi, Pakistan

LEPER COLONY, MANGHAR-PIR, KARACHI

 

 

 

Baba arrived in Karachi on the 17th July. The following day 18th July, a large bungalow

was arranged near the botanical garden & zoo, with the rest of the Mandali arriving soon. Baba also inspected other plots of land in view for their permanent stay.

 

On the 19th July, Baba and the party went Maghar-Pir ( Manghopir ) about 10 miles from Karachi by car.

This place had a shrine to a well-known saint and also several hot-water springs with many believing in the curing powers of the waters. Also found were many lepers hoping to be cured.

The rest of the group had arrived from Quetta including their luggage from Sukkur on the 20th July, and all agreeing that all transactions were cancelled and all parties rewarded sufficiently.

 

RD p.346-351

 

 

KARACHI GARDENS & ZOO

 

 1931 Map of Karachi. The railway marked. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
1931 Map of Karachi. The railway marked. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
 1930s : Karachi Railway Station. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.
1930s : Karachi Railway Station. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.

 

July continued...

 

On the 21st July, Meher Baba departed by trian for Bombay, and on the 25th July after he had arrived at the Irani Mansion it was decided that the large group that had been with Baba, to be dispersed and return to their respective homes.

 

Only about 6 men remained with Baba to keep him company for his future activities. The ladies were asked to stay at Sakori with Upasni Maharaj until they returned from their tours.

 

There were certain stipulations for the 4 men who to tour with Baba. They were to provide themselves  with the necessary clothing, bedding, etc, but once on tour nothing new was allowed to be purchased. So they made their way to Poona, where this new stage was to come into effect. Padri was made manager for all the  arrangements.

 

RD p. 351-2

 

 

7.                        Early AUGUST  1924

 

 

                      JOURNEY TO SOUTHERN INDIA

 

 

Meher Baba departed Poona in the *early-afternoon of 2nd August for Raichur by train  ( central southern India ). Many had come to the railway station to see Baba and his 4 men companions.

They were ; Beheramji Irani, Padri Driver, Gustadji Hansotia and Baily Irani.

Soon afterwards, Baba changed his mind and wanted to go to Madras ( Chennai ) instead, so the difference of the rail tickets were paid. They arrived at 9:30 am on the *3rd Aug. at Madras Central Station, they moved then to the Shaikh Sidiqui Choultry rest house near the station.

Madras ( now Chennai ) is on the southern-east coast of India.

 

Here, Baba made preparations to visit Porto Novo ( Parangipettai ) on India's south-east coast, south of Madras, which had devastating floods recently causing damage to lives and property. They left the following night 4th Aug. for the Madras Beach station of the S.I. Railway.

Upon arrival, there were vast crowds clambering to to travel and after many attempts to purchase tickets, there were none available, so they returned to the rest house.

 

RD p353-5

 

Please note : The book "Ramjoo's Diary" does not state who is actually the diary keeper for this journey.  *The book mistakenly gave an arrival time in Madras of 9:30pm 3rd Aug. Traveling at an average of about 50-60 kms an hour for 1,092 kms, the arrival time in Madras would be 9:30am, 3rd.Aug. A 12 hour difference.

Times & distances are shown in the next section below. Webmaster

 

August 1924 Historical Time

 

1st Aug : Born - Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2015 

2nd Aug : Born - Carroll O'Connor (John Carroll O'Connor), American TV actor known for portraying Queens resident Archie Bunker in the situation comedy All in the Family, and other films. (d. 2001)

-- James Baldwin, American novelist, non-fiction author and playwright known for the novel Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), and the book Notes of a Native Son (1955); in Harlem, New York City (d. 1987)

3rd Aug : Amanullah Khan, King of Afghanistan, declared a jihad war against six tribes who had commenced the Khost rebellion,

-- A group of 150 Soviet troops crossed the border into Poland and attacked the town of Stołpce.

Died : Joseph Conrad (pen name for Józef Konrad Korzeniowski), 66, Polish-born British novelist known for Lord Jim and other works.

4th Aug : The first Women's International and British Games, also called the "Women's Olympiad", was held in London with women from six European nations (Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Switzerland at the UK) competing.

 

 

 BEHERAM H. IRANI        PADRI DRIVER             GUSTADJI HANSOTIA            BAILY IRANI

1920s : Madras Central Railway Station.. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.
1920s : Madras Central Railway Station.. Image rendered by Anthony Zois.

 

August continued ...

 

The following railway station name signs are in order of travelling from Poona to Ooty.

 

The distance between Poona and Madras by train  is about 1,095 kms / 680 miles. This takes between 18.5 & 19.5 hours by today's trains.

The distance between Madras and Ooty by train is about 503 kms / 312 miles. This takes about 15 hours today.

The total one-way is about 1,600 kms / 990 miles and takes about 33-35 hours today's trains.

The Madras sign was not available to be included with the other signs below.

Some of the towns travelled through by Meher Baba will also have a web page for them with extra details featured.

 

Early 1900s ; Madras. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Early 1900s ; Madras. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

 August continued ...

 

The next day, 5th August they decided to go to Nilgiri Hills instead, some 330 miles away (532 kms). This is located on the western side of southern India, south of Mysore (Mysuru). They departed on the 5th Aug. at 6:30pm for Ooty, travelling 3rd class. Baba slept that night on part of a bench.

 

Some time in the early morning, they thought they were heading towards Metropalayam Junction (Mettupalaiyam), but they found out they were heading in another direction, because while they slept, their carriage was attached to another train. They eventually arrived at this junction on the 6th. Baba referred to this place as "Petroleum".

 

RD p355

 

July 1924 Historical Time

 

5th Aug : The German delegation, including Chancellor Wilhelm Marx and Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann, joined the London reparations conference.

 

Map shows the train route from Madras to Ooty-Nilgiri Hills. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the train route from Madras to Ooty-Nilgiri Hills. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

August continued ...

 

Baba had a bad stomach upset during this travelling. At 12:15pm, they changed to the miniature train on a narrow rail gauge, to take them up to the hills, reaching Ooty at 3:30pm and at a height of 7,250 feet (2,210 metres) above sea level, and it was very cold.

 

There were no hotel lodging anywhere or they were too unsanitary. They sought permission and they slept the night in an empty train carriage parked on a siding. They left Ooty at 6:20pm after touring the nearby area and returned by train to Coonoor at 7:45pm.

 

That night, Baba had a fever all night, and by the next morning he insisted on walking, to "Petroleum", some 21 miles (34 kms) away, leaving at 7:20am. Along the way, they had lunch and Baba told Padri "Don't ever become a Baba if you can help it".

 

RD p356

 

 

Map : Train Route to Ooty from Madras. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map : Train Route to Ooty from Madras. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map showing both Rail & Road routes from Coimbatore to Ooty. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map showing both Rail & Road routes from Coimbatore to Ooty. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

 

August continued ...

 

Although this whole area were tea plantations, all of the tea went for export, and only coffee was offered at all of the stops. Baba consumed nothing the whole way. They reached Kellar (Kalla) station after trekking for 16 miles ( 26 kms) and they covered the remaining 5 miles (8 kms) by train to Metropalayam.

They returned to Madras by train without incident arriving 8:30am of 8th August.

After arriving, they stayed in one of the traveller's hotels. One of the men travelling with Meher Baba- Baily Irani, said he had enough and was sent back to Poona with some excess luggage by train.

 

The other 3 men went with Baba to the Central Madras Railway Station in the 9th and departed at 8am. The men were Padri, Beheramji & Gustadji.

 

RD p.357-8

LM p.666

 

 

8.                        TRIP TO CALCUTTA   11-12th August

 

Meher Baba and his men arrived at Howrah, a suburb of Calcutta at 5 pm, 11th August. They first went to the Moghuls Hotel near the station, staying on the 1st Floor, but the place was filthy, so they moved to the Punjabi Hotel taking a 2nd class room. It was very run-down but clean compared to the others. That night they took a joy ride and did some sight-seeing for 2 hours before returning to their hotel.

 

 

Map shows the Train route from Madras to Howrah, West Bengal State. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map shows the Train route from Madras to Howrah, West Bengal State. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

      Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa                                Swami Vivekananda

 

August continued ...

 

The next morning - 12th August, they went to Dakshineshwar after crossing the Hooghly River in a launch, to a place associated with Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa ( 1836-1886) and his disciple - Swami Vivekananda's lives. When they arrived they saw a blind beggar sitting, very neglected in a dirty place. Baba and his men removed him, cleaned him up, then fed and placed in better place. they then proceeded to Ramakrishna's Mission visiting  Belur Math the main temple of the Mission, is situated by the shores of the river.

Baba made his men to pay their respects at the room which was once occupied by Shri Ramakrishna. The other rooms were occupied by Vivekananda and others of their circle. They also visited a small tomb which had a small photo of Ramakrishna, Baba gave the caretaker some instructions on how to do devotional exercises. They then returned to their hotel.

 

LM p.670

RD p.358

 

Map showing parts of Howrah & Calcutta. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.
Map showing parts of Howrah & Calcutta. Map graphics by Anthony Zois.

9.                        TRIP TO KASHMIR   0 th August

Click these buttons to visit the pages in "Locations Gallery "  about this visit to Persia by Meher Baba .

Ship travelled on to visit these destinations ;